It’s been just over 24 hours since I’ve had to apply any calamine lotion to my body and I couldn’t be happier. Now, I’m not advocating this as an actual solution…but I recently discovered that nothing alleviates the pressure and distracts you more from a week long visit by your in-laws than getting poison ivy on your arms and legs.
All kidding aside, while the timing of it was unfortunate, the silver lining to my itchy predicament was the added down-time it provided me to focus on what my first thematic idea for future content on this blog could be. Now, it’s never been my MO to seek-out celebrity out of ego or for the social-media end-game of personal validation vis a vie the star-struck selfie. Granted, it doesn’t even apply in my case since I’ve never even been on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, MySpace, Friendster, etc. But that’s not to say that if I’ve felt the opportunity was present to convey to an artist - typically for me: a musician, writer or comedian - with a extended hand, my thanks and appreciation for their work in a sincere but brief fashion, that I don’t capitalize on that. I just don’t bring the rest of the world into the experience…that is…until now! So, after racking my brain for possible topics to re-ignite my literary leanings and to return my fingers back into home-position, I kept returning to the occasions I’ve had to pass along that handshake and heartfelt thanks to a wide assortment of creatives and other assorted heroes over the years. I realized that the common thread between all of my chance-encounter experiences were the unexpected nature of their circumstances and the unique stories they’ve given me throughout my life. Most of which, however, I haven’t shared with anyone…at least not in as much detail and as fully-related to what each encounter meant to me as I intend to convey in this forum in the next few weeks. I hope my motivation for the project is seen for its love and admiration of its subjects and not for the star-fuckery it might incorrectly seem to come across as.
I want to also intermix my thematic entries with frequent posts free of any pre-formulated intention. Quick-hits and enthusiastic endorsements here and there…to gush over a new song stuck in my head…celebrate a new band or album that deserves the awareness…share nitpicky, nerdish evaluations of live music…rant…rave…and occasionally marvel & muse at this weird journey we’re all trying to navigate through together.
The first thematic post is slated for tomorrow…so look for that.
In the meantime…I’m still listening to the 4-LP “I Am The Moon” release from the Tedeschi Trucks Band and “Reset” from Panda Bear & Sonic Boom non-stop, as I have for the last 2 weeks…with some Joey D (RIP), Tony Joe White, and music from the TV shows Letterkenny & Shorsey thrown in for good measure. The Never Not Funny, HDTGM, Threedom, Action Boyz and Always Sunny podcasts continue to be weekly listens. I’m also almost finished with the available “With Gourley And Rust” free-feed podcast episodes and am very tempted to join their Patreon to prevent the end of their goof-ball styled gravy-train of cozy friendship, cloaked cleverly behind the facade of horror movie franchise enthusiasm. Good times.
Live, love & laugh…
-MP
