Simon Said!

"RIP News Consumer -  Dumbed down to death!"


I love that one....but...but...


Why should it apply to only 'News Consumers', and not 'Consumers-in-general?"

Let's consider one media that can be both an educational God-Send, and a boil on the butt of mankind:  Television.  Reality Television, in particular, and many "How-To" shows will follow a close second place.


After an American Idol (now X-Factor) show, for example, I hear people on the streets quoting Simon Cowell's critiques, word-for-word.  I will ask them, "OK, now that we know what 'Simon Said', without using HIS words, what is YOUR opinion?  Did you like the singer / song BEFORE you heard his critique, and did you change your mind after you heard him speak?  I'm guessing you did just that! "  You cannot possibly imagine the blank looks I get.  I can look into that blank space (their minds) for miles... and miles... and miles.  Ya know?


Have you ever watched "Sell This House"-type show on HGTV?  Any remodeling show, or a show where an individual is either buying or selling a house is a good example of my next point.


Mr. Simon Cowell (and many others!) have "America by the balls", and he is loving it.  He is just grabbing a handful, and steering this country which ever way his little heart desires, and like leading a bull by the ring in his nose, the American pubic (and many other countries, as far as that is concerned) will follow along without questioning.  The hosts of these shows can say ANYTHING, and millions of lazy individuals will just 'take their word for it', rather than take the time and energy to insert their own values, morals and individual tastes.    The absolutely scary part is that the public will not only listen to these individuals, and they will believe them, but they will readily substitutes the host's values for their own.  Puppet, anyone?


In the mornings while he is getting ready for work, Mark watches many of these remodeling, repair and  'house for sale' shows.  If I have to walk into the living room to speak to him about normal daily events, I inevitably hear some part of one of these shows.  Incidentally, it is at that point that I threaten to throw a hammer through the television if he doesn't watch something a little more educational, but this is just me over here .... digressing!


While we're on the subject, another related bug that crawls up my ass is when I hear someone on one of these shows say, "I don't want to buy that house, because the bathroom is the wrong color!"  I am screaming into the other room (because I can't stand to be in the same room as a television that is blaring that crap!), "GET OFF YOUR LAZY ASS AND GRAB A PAINT BRUSH!"


The second chapter of that book is how inflamed my 'roids get when I hear the words "creepy", "odd", "weird".  Those words, folks, pertain to your individual levels, and they mean absolutely nothing to me.  Those words are individual filters that you, yourselves, have installed in your brains, and have no bearing whatsoever in my world, except to piss me the Hell off.  It is your point of view - not mine.


Consider, for example, this next photo:

I was walking through the St. Louis Zoo this past fall when a child - probably aged 7 - 9 ran up to an enclosure that housed the Okapi's.


For more information on the Okapi's:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okapi


I overheard the child yelling back to his mother, "I don't like IT.  IT's CREEPY!"


There are so many things wrong with that statement that I don't which issue I should address first!


Let's start with "IT".  In this language (English), a pencil or a book is an "It". An animal usually has a sex, making him or her a HIM or a HER - not an "IT".  The word "IT" used in that context offends me to no end. I won't even address how lovely I feel inside when I hear someone referring to their child as a "IT", and I hear that all too often!  In any other language (Spanish, etc), even pencils and books are male or female.


"Creepy".   Baby, who told you that a 100% completely natural, beautiful creation is "Creepy'?  These lovely creatures have been here sometimes millions of years before the first human-looking being walked on the face of the planet!"   I wanted to grab him and say, "Look, you are young enough to change your way of thinking RIGHT NOW - before you become a carbon copy of your lazy, dumbed-down parents.  You need to understand that NO natural creation is 'creepy', but that parent that taught you that value might be so!"


The moral of this story:
Don't be lazy.... Don't allow yourselves to be 'Dumbed Down'.  Expend a 'little' energy, and SMART UP!


I'm gong to the Memorial service this afternoon for Mr. Bob Cassilly.  Bob thought outside every box possible. He was strong willed enough to fight every (political, conservative, lazy, bureaucratic) demon that dared to step between Bob and his dreams.  


Bob's spirit was a little too invincible, but I will be willing to place any amount you ask on a wager that if he was asked, "If you had a choice, which would you choose:  To die while being lazy, and being brain-washed while sitting in an arm chair watching a television show that was created to make you even lazier, or to die while actively pursuing your dreams, and creating something beautiful?"  If you, dear reader, select the lazier route, I will be force to reenact the freezer scene in "Rocky Horror Picture Show", where Frank-n-furter comes out of the freezer, cleaning his hands off (after hacking Meatloaf to death!), looking a bit perplexed as to why the other people in the room are starring at him with horrified looks on their faces, and he says, "What?  It was a mercy killing - really!"


- Michael

Booker T & The MGs - "Meditation"

For whatever reason, Facebook / YouTube are misbehaving at the moment.

At any rate.....

Clip of the day:
"Meditation" by Booker T & The MGs.
This song accurately represents my mood today, "Melancholy, but I like balls with my melancholy!"
I like the sauce at 2:04, and the full-throttle at 2:27, accompanied by the brass.
Even though I still have a beef with him, he's still in front of the pack.
(His show at this year's Blues Fest in St. Louis left a bad taste in my mouth!)


This is one of the songs that I truly want played at my memorial service. I'll post another tomorrow.

I will dedicate this one to you, Bob (Cassilly). Here's to you! Thanks for bucking the system, challenging adversary, and for making dreams and visions a reality.

- Michael

Becoming a bit unbalanced...City Museum.... Steel Magnolias (Here - take HER!)

Sometime during the past weekend (Friday, Sept 23 - Sun, Sept 25, 2011), Bob Cassilly, the founder and creative force behind St. Louis' City Museum was found dead in the cabin of a bulldozer that had rolled down a hillside.  This accident occurred at "Cementland", a vision and creation that Bob had been working on for the past 10 yrs.

Bob's CementLand:

More photos:

http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2011/09/cementland_bob_cassilly_photos.php

Bob has many sculptures around the USA:


Sea Lion Fountains • St. Louis Zoo, 1999
Mysterious Monarch and Lopatapillar • Faust Park, 1998
Hippopotamus Park • Central Park, New York City, 1997
Turtle Park • Forest Park, 1996
Hippo Playground • Riverside Park, New York City, 1993
Six Lighted Entry Markers • St. Louis Galleria, 1991
Marlin Perkins Bust • St. Louis Zoo, 1987

and many others.


The following link will direct you to one of my blogs about the work of art that most St. Louisians hold dear, the "City Museum".  Bob always hated the word "Museum", because of the very non-accurate image of a sterile institution that might be going through your head.:
http://mrtoadslivingoutloud.blogspot.com/2011/01/one-of-my-favorite-adventures-city.html

I am having a difficult time with this loss.  Bob was my mentor.  He had the strength, power and a driving vision to create things that many nonbelievers thought impossible, or they were just too damned lazy to think about it **at all**.  I am from the proverbial "same school" that Bob attended!  Many of the articles about Bob that have been written in the past few days say Bob never lost the curiosity of a child.  I am told that on a continuing basis throughout my life, and I have always considered it as a compliment.  To lose the mental flexibility of a child is to suffer from adult constrictions.  That isn't living life, folks. That is "self-inflicted mental prison".  Bob was the bright star that I hitched my wagon to.  He helped to pave the way for people who think "way outside the box".  It isn't easy to live an "outside the box" life, when I am surrounded by people who LOVE the constrictions that they have assigned to themselves.  HOWEVER.... If it wasn't for  people like THAT (constricted... controlling.... lazy.... leveling...), I would have one less thing to be thankful for!  I am thankful that I have been SPARED such a life. I didn't say "Delivered".  Mind you, it is better to be "delivered", than to be living such a life.  However, the greatest gift of all is to be SPARED that life.  If you will look at the rest of my family, as an example that is all-too-close to me, you will see how I have been spared rather than delivered.

Nevertheless, I am more than a bit bitter about losing Bob.  He was a rare gem, indeed.

Why, oh, why, are the GOOD, talented, creative forces being quickly pecked off the planet, one-by-one, and we are left with maggots eating at our lives?

Refer to 00:50 - 1:20 in this video.  This is what I am saying to God. I am grabbing one of the still-living, less desirable characters on this planet (and there are a ***LOT*** of them in our daily lives!), and I am saying, "Here, God - take HER!  Leave Bob here with us, and take a whack at HER! Don't pass up this opportunity of a lifetime!"

From the first second to the last, I feel the way the ladies do in this video, especially M'Lynn and Clariee's parts:

I believe the wheels of justice have been tilted a bit in the favor of lazy characters who do absolutely nothing to uplift and beautify the world.  In fact, much in the same fashion as "If I am doing something that makes me a lesser person, and I stand next to a shining beacon, it makes me look bad", those individuals hate the efforts of those who do, and will do anything to diminish or level our  efforts.

This is why I often choose to be alone.  Being alone feels better than being around maggots who try to level and diminish, if you know what I mean.

I can list names with blitzkrieg speed - please don't force me to do so.  I am just wondering why I can't grab some of those individuals by the collar and say, "Here, God!  Hit HER!  Hit Her!  Do mankind a favor!  Take her out!" - and please - leave the talented, bright, energetic beacons SHINING.


For more stories about Bob Cassilly, do a simple Google search on "Bob Cassilly", "City Museum St. Louis", "Cementland", or click here:

http://www.bing.com/search?q=bob+cassilly+cementland&go=&qs=AS&sk=AS1&pq=bob+cassilly+&sp=2&sc=4-13&form=QBLH

- Michael

The Advantages of Being a Gimp - and other clouds with silver linings

Being a natural-born Gimp has it's obvious downfalls, but occasionally, there is a silver lining around that cloud.  I get to go to stores, the Zoo, and other venues, when there are absolutely no crowds, because kids are in school, and adults are at work.  Another example would be that yesterday, I decided to leisurely lay out in my back yard in my Hammock and read Dr. Pepperberg's book, "Alex & Me" (about her life with Alex The grey Parrot, and their intelligence and abilities). I will have to admit, however, that 'laying around' is a rare activity for me, and that I have spent less than 3 hours in my hammock all summer.

Here are a few more samples of the hidden benefits of being a Gimp :

I was born with an oddly clubbed foot. I still have a brace, and I SHOULD wear it often, but I don't!  

The brace that I wore as a child was the metal bars that extend up the calf to a thick leather strap.  On the 'foot end', the bars are permanently attached to a rather unattractive, utilitarian shoe.

This is my  current custom-fitted, custom-made $2,200 brace from the Arizona Brace Company. My brace, in particular, is a combination of both pictures below.  It has the exact same shape and laces as the top picture (with the exception that it is black leather, rather than beige), including the open-toed design, but it also has the straps that are included in the bottom  picture.

 +



Anywho....When I was a mere tot, my mother would lock me in a high-chair, and forget about me.  I had about enough of her crap one day, and I squirmed in my chair until I could align my metal brace with a 1 gallon jug of pickling vinegar that sat next to that damned high chair.  WHACK!  The entire house smelled strongly of pickles for several months, and I don't think I ever 'did time' in that chair again! (This could lead me to another story of when I was strapped into a hospital bed that involved someone - NOT ME! - accidentally ingesting urine, but for now, I will digress!) 


I also had to wait long hours on a weekly basis - for YEARS - in the waiting room of an orthopedic surgeon's office (the Dr. that tried to put my foot back together again - many times).  I never was a patient soul.  Once again, the brace came to my rescue again!  I reached over and whacked a standing sand-filled floor ashtray over.  A loud noise followed, and sand went flying everywhere.  We were rushed in immediately, and I don't ever remember waiting more than 5 minutes to see that Dr. again!  :)

In reference to the fact that I have taught myself advanced knitting and that I have taught myself how to read music in 2 years, most people say, "You must be a very patient person!"

Anybody that knows me well will readily tell you that I am the most impatient person they have ever met.

I will also say:

"Patience are for lazy people who sit around and wait for something to happen. PERSEVERANCE is for people to get things done!"
- Michael

A few of my favorite....St. Louis Art Fair artists! (Besty Yongquist, Micheal Cole, etc)

PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO VISIT THIS SITE FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF ALL ARTISTS, ENTERTAINMENT ON ALL STAGES AND THE VENDORS IN THE FOOD COURT!:

http://anchorinternet.com/culturalfestivals/ArtFair_2011.pdf
__________________________________________________

Good musicians should despise having to label their "favorite song'.  Likewise, a good chef will avoid naming a favorite recipe, a favorite food or a favorite ingredient.  I find the practice of naming a favorite song - or a favorite artist distasteful and quite impossible, actually.  As a musician, I like thousands of songs, and each for what they offer individually. One is not on a pedestal higher than the other.  They all have attributes and they shine when placed in the appropriate spotlight.  In my mind's eye, artists live in a parallel universe to musicians.

Each person that takes the time and energy to **MASTER** his or her own art and craft deserves the highest level of recognition.   Their passion, attention to detail and workmanship should never be ignored, bypassed or taken for granted.  These fine people are using their resources to the best of their ability (Are you using yours in the same manner?)

With that being said, there are a few artists at this year's St. Louis Art Fair that I keep tucked away in special little places in my heart in a safe, yet always accessible place.

______________________________________
BESTY YOUNGQUIST:

Her home page:
http://byart.com/

Betsy's mediums include cast-away doll parts, including heads, limbs and eyes, and seed beads, among a host of other materials.  The creatures she creates are both captivating and mythical:

______________________________________________________________________

Micheal Paul Cole

Even though artists that enter this show are from all over the USA and all over the world (the process of entry is more than grueling!), this artist has his studio in my hometown of Hannibal, MO.  The similarities doesn't stop there. His studio is in the same building as the Pentecostal (!!) church that I was raised in from my birth until I was 11 yrs. old.  It was in this building that I heard my first Hammond organ / Leslie speaker. BLAME THEM FOR MY ADDITION!  :)
The church has moved to a new building on Terrell Ave. in Hannibal, and this building has since been a Day Care, and now a fabulous studio for a few artists.
Mr. Cole's work is as much about the frames as it is the images. Both are fine works of art:

Micheal Paul Cole's website (with a pic of the church / studio!):

http://michealpaulcole.com/Welcome.html
_________________________________________________________

THOMAS WARGIN

Part man?  Part machine?  You decide:


Many more photos available on his website:
http://wargin.com/index_gallery.php
___________________________________________

THE FOOD!

Alexander’s in the Sheraton

(Clayton Plaza)

Style: American

The Menu:
From Lobster bisque to spinach

artichoke dip, Alexander’s modern

dishes are sure to leave Saint Louis

Art Fair guests fulfilled with an

“mmmm” experience.

Bella Catering

Style: American

The Menu:
Make this year’s Saint Louis Art Fair

memorable with favorites like the Kick

Ass Fries, portabella sandwich and

cheeseburger sliders.

Café Manhattan

Style: American

The Menu:
Enjoy Saint Louis Art Fair

performances with Café Manhattan’s

hand-breaded dishes and delectably

seasoned waffle fries.

Drunken Fish

Style:Japanese

The Menu:
Drunken Fish defines the paramount

dining experience through an

extensive Japanese menu that goes

beyond the ordinary.

Hank’s Cheesecakes

Style: Bakery/Desserts

The Menu:
With savory cakes, cookies, and brownies

as well as a ravishing array of flavors of

cheesecake, Hank’s Cheesecakes offers

desserts that will tempt the angels.

McCormick & Schmick’s

Style: Seafood Restaurant

The Menu:
Seafood

With its unwavering commitment to

the freshest seafood, McCormick &

Schmick’s comes to the Saint Louis Art

Fair this year with dishes sure to please.

The Pasta House Catering Co.

Style: Italian

The Menu:
Enjoy classic Italian cuisine with The Pasta

House’s delicious offerings this year.

Rearn Thai

Style: Thai

The Menu:
Excellence is the standard when it

comes to Rearn Thai dishes. Visit

its booth for delicious pad thai and

chicken satay dishes.

Russell’s Café and Bakery

Style: Café/Bakery

The Menu:
Russell’s brings pride and quality to the

Saint Louis Art Fair with its handcrafted

pastries, cakes, pies, and sandwiches.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

Style: Steak House

The Menu:
A St. Louis treasure, Ruth’s Chris serves

its steak sliders and seared ahi-tuna.

Tivanov Catering

Style: Variety

The Menu:
Tempt your taste buds with smoked

salmon and goat cheese quesadillas,

teriyaki pork loin skewers, chocolate

covered bananas, and bread pudding
.

Uptown Café

Style: American

The Menu:
Featuring authentic Manhattan-style

beer-battered fries and marinated beef

kabobs, Uptown’s dishes bring the taste of

New York directly to the heart of Clayton.

For food near the Creative Castle, please visit:

Pam’s Chicago-style Dogs & More

Style: American

The Menu:
Satisfy children and adult tastes alike

with Pam’s refreshments and Windy

City-style beef hot dogs.

MAGGIE MOO’S

Style: Ice Cream

The Menu:
Treat the entire family to soothing, cooling

Maggie Moo’s ice cream as you explore

The Hare Krishnas are keeping me fed! (The Indians & Me!)

In accordance to one of their core beliefs (you are doing good by feeding others), the Hare Krishnas have provided me with a fabulous lunch. They often bring food to the flower market, and Mark and I share it for supper. Last night, we had something different for supper, and he gave it to me today for my lunch.  
(It is basically 100% vegetarian Indian food, and we all know about my addiction to those Indians! :)

Some recipes and general info:

http://harekrsna.com/practice/prasadam/recipes/recipes.htm
I love restaurant Indian food, but when I get home cooked Indian meals, the taste is turned up a couple notches. They are cooking for individuals, rather than a general American group, and they will cook and flavor the food as they would eat it, rather than "bland-ur-lize" it for the weak, American public.

You should see the shocked looks on their faces when I go to a festival or a bazaar, and I order food, and they tell me, "just a minute", and start to "Americanize" it for me. I stop them with, "Wait a minute...I want what YOU are eating, and as YOU eat it. If I wanted McDonalds, I would stop by there on the way home!" It takes them a second or two to switch gears, and to realize that I am different than how they are accustomed to serving the food to our public. THEN... I get a surprised, pleasant smile, an acknowledging nob, and and the food served to me the way it was originally intended.

I have an Indian friend (Prathibah Vasudevan - CALL ME!), and she had been in this country 12 years, but eats only Indian food. When I go over to her house, I can't hug her, because in her customs, hugging is reserved for small children or OLD people. Just for shits 'n' grins, as a joke (I'm telling her that she is getting old!), I sometimes chase her around the yard, with my arms outstretched yelling, "Come on, give MOMMA a hug!" While I am chasing her, she is trying desperately to outrun me. Then she beats up on me a little - to ensure that I am properly punished. he he he

However, hospitality is also a big part of her culture, and that includes cooking small, quick meals for guests. While I will always love restaurant Indian food, Prathibah has taught me the difference between restaurant and home cooked Indian food. I will readily admit that knowing the difference makes me spoiled!

- Michael

Does everything have a price?

So far, I have sold:
* two vintage synthesizers
* two short Leslie speakers
* one MIDI controller (keyboard)
* two accordions

(seven musical instruments)

I still have for sale:

* two entry level guitars
* one Hammond Composer 146 Series spinet organ
* one hand-pumped Indian Harmonium

The good thing about these sales is that these items are going to people who want them, and will get good use out of them.  These instruments have been taking up space in my home, and I might turn them on once a year.  I view such inactivity as a waste of space, a waste of an instrument, and a waste of money.  I HATE to waste anything at all.

The bad thing about these sales:

The uninitiated person that peeks into my music studio wouldn't notice anything missing!

I have one Hammond organ to sell, and 3 guitars. If I get those sold,  people that have visited my studio *might* notice 'something missing', but I wouldn't guarantee it.

Anybody that knows me well will testify to the fact that I am not one of those "buy and sell" types.  I have a lot of possessions, including many instruments, that somebody will have to pry out of my cold dead hands before I part with them.  I am friends with people who till buy a (car, house, instrument, and the list could go on forever!), and they will brag and crow over their new 'love' - their new 'favorite'.  As soon as the next item of interest comes along, that new 'favorite' is an immediate 'has been', and it is kicked to the curb.  Next!  They will then rant and rave about the latest find until...yep.... you guessed it:  NEXT comes along!  That new favorite is immediately replaced, and the vicious cycle continues.

Let's consider my late friend, Dale (God rest his soul!)  Dale was as sweet as any person you would want to meet, even if he was a bit of a perv!  He was outrageously creative in rebuilding and fabricating - from scratch - many instruments, including reed organs and band organs.  If you wanted to know how to make, from scratch,  a Bose-like bass speaker that could kick your ass across the room, you should have asked Dale while he was still with us.  In addition, he was one of the best Gospel Hammond organists I ever had the privilege of knowing.

(You know there is a 'but'.... coming along, don't ya?)

Here's your butt....er...but!  :)

Dale had a Hammond C2 organ with a Leslie 122.  He traded it for (God only knows what!).  

Say this without any D's:

To his dying day, Dale regretted parting with that organ.


Hammond C2

When I last spoke with him, Dale's last Hammond was an R-124:


Hammond R-124

Personally, I have a Hammond A-100 / Leslie 122 and a Hammond E-100 / Leslie 122. Many 'purists' consider the Hammond E-100 nothing but a 'boat anchor' - worthless, dead weight.  I play the Hammond E-100 combo as much, if not more, than I play the Hammond A-100 combo.  I like them BOTH.

My point is that Dale's 'favorite' was whatever came along next.  Nothing was sacred enough to him that he could say, "I can sell this (Item #1).... I can sell that (Item #2), but you can't touch THIS (Item# 3) - because it will never be for sale.

I have a new Kawai upright piano (2 months old.). I have my two Hammond combos, a digital piano and a 1966 Wurlitzer piano.  Even though I want both, a Wurlitzer piano AND a Rhodes piano, for the present time, I would consider trading this Wurli for a Rhodes in good condition, and I would buy another Wurli piano at a later date to complete my collection.    I would also love to have a Clavinet!

I still have a 5 MIDI keyboard set-up with a dedicated music computer, 3 functioning toy player pianos and toy pianos without player mechanisms, and 1 reed organ.  That leaves me with 17 instruments in my collection.

HOWEVER...  My new piano, my digital piano, and both of my Hammond consoles are off limits to deals.  Their final disposition will be somebody else's problem - after I am dead.

I firmly believe that **everybody** should have 'untouchables', instead of being a sell-out, don't you think?

- Michael