Embarrassing '80's

A friend mentioned today that he had the song Edge of a Broken Heart by the band, Vixen, stuck in his head all day. As bothersome as that is, I had to go to youtube to see the video for old times' sake. As I listened, I read the comments from parents that showed this video to their kids and were laughed at because of the hair and clothes. So I started to think (never a good thing), what if we saw these artist for the first time, what would we think?

So to start, think back to the 1980's and what bands were top of the charts. U2, Springsteen, Phil Collins were three but they were pretty mainstream, look to the fringes. Michael Jackson, Prince, Madonna; they all had a great influence on the music and fashions of the time. What? you didn't have one white glove.

But even they were to become mainstream, and in Michael Jackson's case a bit whiter. How about Adam Ant, Siouxie and the Banshees, and Flock of Seagulls? They didn't stand the test of time but they were there and be honest, you remember them.

So the next time you see Lady Gaga in a meat dress or Adam Lambert looking more like Liza Minnelli then Liza herself, don't be so quick to judge, Just smile and think how embarrassed your kids will be in thirty years.

Easter Brunch with the Family

We gathered together for Easter, on Sunday afternoon, at my sisters home. We span four generations. Although everyone could not make it, there was enough for the warm glow of family. Unlike Christmas when the gift giving sometimes becomes a little overbearing, Easter was just a day of relaxation. We watched as my sisters two grand daughters found their baskets while the rest of us could nibble candy from candy dishes,( the price of being a grown up ). The conversations around the room were warm and loving with a bit of python thrown in for good measure. I know it doesn't sound like much but it was nice.

So how was your Easter? Let's settle some things about Easter candy. Peeps. I saw on the news the other night at a home made candy shop, peeps being dipped in chocolate. Now dipping anything in chocolate makes it better but do peeps really need it? Peeps are so good that they even taste better when they get a little stale. Jelly beans, what makes the best jelly beans, spice, fruit, black jelly beans (did you know that you can buy whole bags of just black jelly beans. I don't think many people buy them because you always see them at 75% off three weeks after Easter). I don't like Jelly Belly jelly beans, I think because you eat them one at a time or put certain ones together to come up with a different flavor (way too much work, it's candy for God's sake). I like Russel Stovers jelly beans but pretty much any will do. Now, the chocolate bunny. Solid or hollow is it true Easter etiquette to eat the ears first? So enjoy your baskets folks and I hope you all had as good a day as I had.

Whiskey in the Jar for everyone

Happy Tuesday everyone. for those that know me I started a new job yesterday. not making many friends, they think I'm a bit of a snob. I have a car and they have shopping carts but I'm not planning on staying long anyway.

My brother is the muse behind this posting. I was over at his house on Sunday and he played Whiskey in the Jar by Elvis Presley for me. this started a search that showed how many different people recorded this little Irish song. Of course Thin Lizzy made the song world famous when they released it in the early '70's. Up to that point it had been a folk standard with recordings going back to the '50's. In 2000, metal group Metallica won a Grammy for their version. Here are just a few for you to sample.

The King

,

The Grateful Dead,

The Dubliners,

Other groups to record the song are, The Pogues, The High Kings, The Killdares and to show you that everyone Irish knows the song here is the U2 live in Dublin,

So there it is, a wee Irish tune that goes world wide. As Sam said to me once, "That song you were all singing in the bar, you know Gin in the Box Daddyo"

alive and kicking

I know that I am hard to pin down but to dispel any rumors, I'm still around. Quick update, Red Sox dropped first six games of the season while the Yankees won a few. The season is long and I'm not getting too excited yet, I mean Baltimore is leading the division and you know that won't last. So here's to the baseball season.
Rory McIlroy chocked big time on Sunday in the Masters but cut the kid a break, he's like 14 years old. Tiger had flashes of old but came up short on the final round. As much as St. Patrick's Day means spring is coming the Masters always seemed to me to be the proof that spring is here.
By for now, I will try to be better.