Sunday Morning Tuneage & Weekly TV (2/3/13)

A Saturday off!!!  The whole day.  Felt nice to enjoy some sunshine around here - knowing that it was quite the snowfest for many of my friends this past week.  Caleb had a basketball game - our winning streak came to an end but we're still 3-3 on the season.  Baseball is up and going this week - I'm drafting a team to coach with Caleb and Christian starts scrimmages for JV.  Going to try to relax all day so that I'm ready to endure the longest football game of the season.  And enjoy some commercials that I'll end up watching on YouTube next week anyways.  Paying a few bills this morning and getting the taxes prepared to prepare and listening to some funky tuneage . . . 

SUNDAY MORNING TUNEAGE

THE JACKSONS - SHAKE YOUR BODY (Down To The Ground).  This and the previous Jacksons' single "Blame It On The Boogie" was the moment when I knew that Michael was going to be a huge star.  This is one of the most infectious singles of that 1978 funk and disco era.  This is the long 8:00 version that not enough people know.  This is definitely a "keep the party going" jam.  Great stuff for this morning.

ROMAN HOLIDAY - STAND BY.  I swear that iTunes is on a Roman Holiday bender lately.  I only have one of their albums and it seems to rotate through often.  One of their tunes from 1983 also rotated through the Sunday Morning Tuneage recently.  I like this song too.  It's from late 1983 and a great mix of pop and a bit of what would be the Swing movement in the 90s.  If you had the MTV back in 1983, I'm sure this song passed your brain a few times in that Fall.

MCGUINESS FLINT - MALT AND BARLEY BLUES.  If I made a mix disc for you in the 2003 - 2010 timeframe that included songs from the Seventies then you probably got a dose of this group and their first single "When I'm Dead and Gone".  This follow-up single isn't nearly as catchy but I do like it.  I know the band is named after two guys named McGuinness and Flint who were in other bands previously.  Can't tell you what became of them after this.  But I've got two songs floating on my iTunes that are good for mixes.

SOMETHING RANDOM . . .  World's first driving dogs???  What the heck is happening?  My world is collapsing.  You watch the video . . . 

DEADLIGHTS OF 2013 . . . Bernard Horsfall wasn't a name I knew until I saw his picture.  He was in ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE and appeared on a few early "Doctor Who" stories including the fun Lemuel Gulliver in "The Mind Robber" and a Time Lord in "The War Games". . . Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner was one of the lead singers and guitarist in the funky Ohio Players . . .

QUICK LIST (a random, uninformed list off the top of Shawn's head)

BEST  COUNTRY SONGS OF THE 1950s

10.  HANK SNOW - I'M MOVIN' ON.  At the beginning of the decade - this song sat at #1 for a whopping 21 weeks.  "I'm movin' on / I'll soon be gone."
9.  LEFTY FRIZZELL - IF YOU'VE GOT THE MONEY, I'VE GOT THE TIME.  I wanted to pick Lefty's "Saginaw, Michigan" song but this one really haunts me.  I love this 50s sound and would have been a big fan of his.  The Corsicana, Texas native has one the best voices on this list.

8.  HANK THOMPSON - THE WILD SIDE OF LIFE and KITTY WELLS - IT WASN'T GOD WHO MADE HONKY TONK ANGELS.  This tie is for the two linked 1952 songs - Hank's came first and Kitty's was the answer song.  Kitty was the first solo female artist to have a number one song on Billboard of any genre.  I remember going on a huge kick with this song just last year with Kitty passed away.  But without Hank there wouldn't have been Kitty's answer.

7.  HANK WILLIAMS - YOUR CHEATIN' HEART.  So many have covered this song.  But Hank's original from 1953 - released after his death is about the most poignant.  Anyone who's ever been in a relationship that ended poorly can identify with this heartbreak.
6.  JOHNNY HORTON - THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS.  The 1959 release won a 1960 Grammy for Song Of The Year.  There should be more historical songs.

5.  DON GIBSON - OH LONESOME ME.  This is a 1958 song that I seem to have just always known the words to.  Can't remember not being familiar with it.  I love this original but it's tied with the Neil Young cover of it.

4.  JOHNNY CASH - I WALK THE LINE.  When I conceived of this list moment ago, I naturally pencilled this in at #1.  Until I thought of the other 3 ahead of it.  This 1956 song is one of my go-to karaoke songs.  But it's also one of the best love songs of the decade - "For you I know I'd even try to turn the tide."

3.  MARTY ROBBINS - EL PASO.  You know that a song is going to be epic if it comes from an album called "Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs".  I love a good ballad and this tells such a fun story.  I need to make sure to put this back on my juke box rotation - it always gets a good sing-a-long going.

2.  PATSY CLINE - WALKIN' AFTER MIDNIGHT. It was hard to pick just one Patsy Cline song for the list but this is the one that I always pause over when it's on.  This 1957 song has a timeless feel that not all of these songs can claim.  Her voice is at its smoothest best here.
1. TENNESSEE ERNIE FORD - SIXTEEN TONS.  We used to sing this song in music class in Elementary school.  It's just so iconic of the 1950s for me.  Who can't identify with the "another day older and deeper in debt."  It's a simple song without much need for instruments.  I can picture hobos riding the rails.  And I can see miners.  And just the everyday Joe getting off work at the factory with the song playing in the background.  Best covers - Stevie Wonder and Jerry Reed.

The genre was really just starting to define itself in this period.  And with Rock just coming into it's own - there are some songs that I debated and left off - mostly Elvis songs that debuted on Country charts like "Hound Dog", "Jailhouse Rock" and "All Shook Up".  Songs that haven't aged so well?  Most of the Jimmie Rodgers tunes don't hold my attention like they did - especially "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine".  And none of the versions of "Goodnight, Irene" are going to make my lists.

NETFLIX PLAY NOW OF THE WEEK . . .  I'm always a sucker for a Monty Python story and doc.  This week we get the interesting GRAHAM CHAPMAN:  ANATOMY OF A LIAR.  The late Python member was quite an enigma but very funny.  Anxious to know more about him . . .  JIM JEFFRIES:  FULLY FUNCTIONAL is an interesting title because this comedian's stories seem to indicate a relatively dysfunctional life.  But he can be quite funny at times. . . and as an antidote to all of that - please take some relaxing time to watch the great Audrey Hepburn in FUNNY FACE.  It'll make you smile.  I guarantee it.

Shawn's fave movies according to FLICKCHART

#14  - Citizen Kane
#396 - Get Shorty
#1045 - 101 Dalmations (live action)

RANDOM PROJECT UPDATE -  The HUNGER GAMES project.  Over the Christmas break I watched the first film a couple times with Dee.  I've yet to go through all the extras on the Blu-ray but that's still there to be finished before the 2nd film.  And that spurred me to get back on "Mockingjay" finally.  I started it last Fall - fell off and now I'm back and a good third of the way through the concluding book.  Pretty similar to the Harry Potter series - I'm dragging my feet and reluctant to end a series that I love reading.

SHAWN'S TOP ALBUMS OF ALL-TIME (a tribute to the art of the album)

#50 -  Funkadelic - One Nation Under A Groove (1978)

This funk and rock band was 10 albums into their work by the time 1978 rolled around.  Disco would seem to be exerting lots of pressure on bands around the world.  But not  in Detroit.  Funkadelic put out what is easily one of my favorite funk albums and contains one of the best and most important funk songs of all-time "One Nation Under A Groove".  What a great concept of finding freedom through dance.  I've been partial to Funkadelic over the years because of their rock based roots.  In concert, their songs translate better.  This is a seminal funk album that should be in everyone's collection.  It's the perfect turning point as we head over the #50 hump and start cruising toward #1.

"So wide you can't get around it.  So low you can't get under it.  So high you can't get over it."

Previous Rankings

#51 - Steely Dan - Aja (1977)

#52 - Prince - Dirty Mind (1980)
#53 - The Stooges - The Stooges (1969)
#54 - Steely Dan - Can't Buy A Thrill (1972)
#55 - The Doors - The Doors (1967)

#56 - Simon & Garfunkel - Bookends (1968)

THIS WEEK IN TELEVISION

MONDAY

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT (CBS)  Another season starts.  I swear this show has been kicking around for over a decade and yet I've managed to avoid even an episode.  And I don't know anyone who does watch.  And it keeps showing up in listings somehow.

MEA MAXIMA CULPA: SILENCE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD (HBO)  They need to keep telling these stories but it's really hard to watch them.  This is a doc on 200 deaf kids who were abed by priests at a Wisconsin Catholic school.

TUESDAY
SMASH (NBC)  This series seemed to get off to a huge start last season.  But then even my theater obsessed Dee gave up on it.  The 2nd season starts tonight with very little hype as they hope to recapture some of that gusto.

TOSH.0 (COMEDY)  I hope this guy thanks his lucky stars each week.  This is the start of Season Five somehow.  It's such a formula - I wonder now if computers generate the whole show and just give him the script.  Or manatees?

WEDNESDAY
AMERICAN IDOL (FOX)  After all these years, I'm still trying to find something to like this year.  I like singing shows but this season is doing very little for me.  It's partially the new judges and partially the same formula from previous years.  Maybe a Survivor-style All-Stars of returning non-winners would be nice.  It's Hollywood Week but  I've paid very little attention so far - mainly as background while doing other work.

ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (TCM)  This 1930 film is one of the best versions of what is easily a Top Ten favorite book of mine.  It' a powerful book that I've read at least 5 times.  This version has been restored and I'm anxious to see it again.

THURSDAY
COMMUNITY (NBC)  After a few false start listings it's back and on the night it deserves.  Season 4 gets it started with a HUNGER GAMES parody that probably would have been more timely when it was going to premiere in September.

KING OF THE NERDS (TBS)  Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith are judges in tonight's superhero trivia.  Wonder if I'll score a 100%.

FRIDAY
SHAKESPEARE UNCOVERED (PBS)  David Tennant hosts a look at Hamlet through the ages.

TOUCH (FOX)  Seeing the ads for this made me add "24" back to my Netflix queue.  I love Kiefer but this show isn't nearly Jack Bauer.

SATURDAY
BE MY VALENTINE & CHARLIE BROWN VALENTINE (ABC)  I can identify with Chuck on most holidays.  It's a bit of confusion and some sadness - I'm with you Charlie, keep your head up.

VIVA ZAPATA! (TCM)  The great combination of Elia Kazan directing and John Steinbeck writing covers the 1911 Mexican Revolution.  Marlon Brando with one of his best performances.

SUNDAY
GRAMMY AWARDS (CBS)  Not the best of the award shows.  Not even the best musically.  But it's the season and their not going to put anything else on for these three hours.  You'll get at least 3-4 decent performances mixed in with some canned acts.  Black Keys, Mumford and Sons should be highlights.

GIRLS (HBO)  Watched the first few episodes of this season to get a feeling of what was happening.  Still not sure it's as strong as the end of last season.  There is lots of drama and more mainstream plot points influencing the show that seemed to work well when it stood still and just looked around.  Felt the story of Lena breaking up with the guy because he's a Republican and the "I might be bisexual" roommate to seem forced.  But I seem to still be following these annoying characters.

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR . . Interesting peeks at the Super Bowl ads so far, too early to make final decisions on my favorites but Volkswagen is off to a good start, much like last year's "The Dog Strikes Back" ad . . . 

Audi wins props for telling a heartwarming story with a little humor.

Century 21 is premiering quite a few new ads.  This one will air Pregame and is probably the best of the bunch.  Same theme for all of them.

And I've grown tired of Axe ads but this one made me smile slightly. . . 

"If it's right, it's all right with you now
If it's right, it's all right for me now, yo-ho
Any night you'll be uptight until you find
That the wrong and the right are within your mind."  - Funkadelic

Into you, my people.  Stay hard.

sb

Sunday Morning Tuneage & Weekly TV (12/23/12)

This is the last actual Sunday Morning Tuneage of the year.  The next two weeks will be Part 1 and Part 2 of my Best of 2012.

This is Day Two of what is my longest "staying home" days off stretch of the year.  Worked Friday and now no actual work until Thursday.  Finished off the week with a little movie - THE HOBBIT - yesterday and the last couple items of Christmas shopping.  So, I'm hoping to stay inside for a day or two except for a trip or two to the gym this weekend.  No basketball or football or baseball to worry about this week.  Unfortunately we may be missing my Mom this week for Christmas - she's not feeling well enough to make the trip up here.  Spending the morning trying to see how to make my Blogger better, considering what Tivo to catch up on first and listening to some tuneage . . . 

SUNDAY MORNING TUNEAGE

TEARS FOR FEARS - MAD WORLD.  I sound like quite the hipster dufus to say that I was into this song in 1982 - a mere 19 years before Gary Jules covered it for DONNIE DARKO.  But it's true.  I was an original, early adopter fan of Tears For Fears and "The Hurting" was an album to obsess over.  I've heard the Jules version so much over the past few years - it's good to hear this version again.  I love that percussion beat over the top of the song - pop songs don't understand that as well these days.  And it is a mad world, ain't it?

"All around me are familiar faces . . ."

ROMAN HOLIDAY - DON'T TRY TO STOP IT.  This was a Summer of 1983 hit - the only one that you would ever recognize from Roman Holiday.  It's a solid New Wave release that you'd put in the same UK sound as JoBoxers, Dexy's Midinight Runners, etc.  It's a happy song and makes me smile as we approach Christmas.  I even purchased this album - just to get this song.

BLACK JOE LEWIS - SUGARFOOT.  I like that these guys keep coming up in my Random Play on iTunes.  Is it too late to say that what were 2009 up and coming darlings are probably not going to be the break out stars that were predicted?  This is a fun bluesy, funk single off their first full album "Tell 'Em What Your Name Is."  I still keep my Amazon alerts up to see if they release new stuff.  Nothing this year.  They are playing New Years Eve in Austin if anyone wants to go . . . 

IT WAS 30 YEARS AGO TODAY . . .  Chaminade of Hawaii defeated #1 Virginia and Ralph Sampson in what is still one of the biggest upsets of a top rated team . . .  Wayne Gretzky names Sports Illustrated Athlete of the Year . . .  President Reagan appoints Alan Greenspan to the Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board- he was previously an economic advisor under President Ford. . . 

DEADLIGHTS OF 2012 . . . Willie Ackerman was a drummer of note.  Louis Armstrong, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and even the Monkees.  You can hear a sample of his work on Marty Robbin's "El Paso" . . . Detroit guitar hero - Eddie "Guitar" Burns passed away last week.  His Blues guitar was considered second to none.  He's a legend that not enough Motown folks know about.

QUICK LIST (a random, uninformed list off the top of Shawn's head)

MOST DEFINITIVE CHRISTMAS SONG VERSIONS

10. WHAM! - LAST CHRISTMAS.  For a song that's just from 1984 - there seems to be a rash of covers recently.  And none of them seem to understand the way that Wham! and their semi-herterosexual lyrics captured the Christmas spirit perfectly. While female voices sound nice - this is best portrayed as a man singing.  Decent covers - Coldplay, Taylor Swift.

9.  NAT KING COLE - THE CHRISTMAS SONG.  Written by Mel Torme.  But Nat King Cole made it what it is.  Don't fall for his original version - it took until 1953 for him to do a full orchestra version and that's what really works for me.  Interesting covers - Herb Alpert, Babyface and James Brown.
8.  BAND AID - DO THEY KNOW IT'S CHRISTMAS.  Another 1984 classic Christmas tune.  The charity single genre has practically disappeared.  But certainly you'd think that few people are brazen enough to cover it.  This song has had 2 other official Band Aid covers and a number of bands have tried to sing it with a single artist.  Why don't people cover "We Are The World"?  Because they shouldn't try.  Leave this one alone.  BTW - I can still identify just about every voice on the song.  Good covers - None.

7.  BURL IVES - A HOLLY JOLLY CHRISTMAS.  Johnny Marks wrote this song and many others including "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer".   Burl Ives wasn't the original artist but can you imagine any other artist doing a better job?  Me neither.  It's a song that doesn't get a ton of covers and that's good.  Good covers - None come to mind.
6.  THE WAITRESSES - CHRISTMAS WRAPPING.  I love this version so much.  But it's interesting that most of the covers don't cover it word for word - it's one of the more changed lyric songs I can recall.  The song's a great template.  Best covers - The Donnas, Miranda Cosgrove.

5.  ELVIS - BLUE CHRISTMAS.  The beauty of Christmas songs are all the genres that it encompasses - soul, pop. country, etc.  And they aren't all happy songs - there are sad ones about breaking up with your lady too.  Elvis sings breakups as well as any singer ever.  The song was 9 years old when Elvis made his version.  That should have been all we needed.  Perfectly captured.  Best covers - The Beach Boys, Michael Buble.
4. EARTHA KITT - SANTA BABY.  I love the debate if this is really a tongue in cheek song.  It's weird to think how the lyrics to a 1953 song are still relevant and fun today.  Eartha's version is saucy and naughty in just the perfect levels.  Other versions try to be too sexy.  And rarely does it work.  Best covers - Madonna, Miss Piggy.
3.  FRANK SINATRA - WINTER WONDERLAND.  This 1934 song might be the one I think of as being covered the most.  I don't have official statistics on the number of covers for the songs on this list but this one has lots.  And I like some of them.  It suits most voices and is a good little ditty.  Frank captured the whimsy of the song and it shows off the great timbre of his voice.  Good versions - Perry Como, Elvis, Ella Fitzgerald.
2.  JUDY GARLAND - HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS.  In this case, the original version from MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS is unbeatable.  And if you don't cry just a little - you might not have a heart.  To me this song and #1 are what define Christmas and the Holidays.  Best other versions - John Denver and the Muppets, The Carpenters, and Take 6.

1.  BING CROSBY - WHITE CHRISTMAS.  Irving Berlin wrote what is the best selling single of all-time.  The opening stanza is often left off - it helps set the mood that the singer is in Los Angeles and wants to be back home in the North.  It defines Christmas and Bing's voice captures it perfectly.  Hard always to imagine it in the hands of any other artist.  Still my favorite version of any single Christmas song.  Good covers - Jo Stafford (really, really good version), Perry Como and The Partridge Family.

Definitive means the versions of the song that comes to mind when I hear that title.  It isn't always the first but it's typically the bet and the one where I say - every subsequent version is playing in the shadow of that one.  Some just don't get covered much - like "Feliz Navidad" and when they do, it's usually not something you would put in your top Christmas songs.  Also off the list for that reason - "Christmastime Is Here", "The Chipmunk Song" and "Happy Xmas (War is Over)".  The Worst?  Or is it least definitive?  I can't decide the best version of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town".  Bruce has a claim but I think there are better versions to be had. And the same for "Jingle Bell Rock".  And there's something wrong that I don't have any John Denver Christmas song on the list.

NETFLIX PLAY NOW OF THE WEEK . . .  sometimes the best docs just take you to a place you'll never go - THE HIGHEST PASS is about the highest altitude navigable road - this one in the Himalayas. . . THE 50 GREATEST FINISHING MOVES OF THE WWE is here well, just because they made it.  And I want to see another Stunner. . . and I'm still in the middle of Season One but now I can catch up with PORTLANDIA (Season Two) . . . 

Shawn's fave movies according to FLICKCHART

#147 - High Fidelity
#367 - Thank You For Smoking
#368 - The Aristocats

RANDOM PROJECT UPDATE -  The MST3K project is coming along quite well, thank you.  I'm working my way up to the halfway point of Season Six.  These are from October of 1994 now.  I would have been watching and taping these as I worked on Saturdays at Gen X.  These are the episodes that I watched over and over for a week until the next one came along.  I made it through THE CREEPING TERROR which is a hilarious Blob-ish creature.  I'm up to the fun but failed TV pilot - CODE NAME: DIAMOND HEAD.  But the best thing with these episodes is the addition of shorts.  They've gone off blueprint of just doing a movie and now the best things are the shorts and the vignettes and the letters that make it seem like a comic book.  Coming soon - the standout - THE VIOLENT YEARS (written by Ed Wood).

SHAWN'S TOP ALBUMS OF ALL-TIME (a tribute to the art of the album)

#54 -  Steely Dan - Can't Buy A Thrill (1972)

It was 1984 when I discovered this album.  I was familiar with some of Steely Dan's work but didn't own any of their albums.  I heard the album at Believe In Music while perusing the video rental section.  They weren't finished with Side One when I plopped down my money to purchase the album.  I've gone on to enjoy most of their albums but this first one holds an important place in my heart.  I've got lots of respect for Donald Fagen and  Walter Becker.  These ten songs fit together for 40 minutes of incredible jazz influenced rock.  It certainly backs up the claim of all movies and albums from 1972 being awesome.  The two hits - "Reelin' In 'The 'Years" and "Do It Again" certainly define the sound of this group.  But the other tunes like "Dirty Work", "Kings" and "Only A Fool Would Say That" are worthy of a listen.  Smart lyrics and interesting guitar work.  This might be a Top 50 album if I thought hard enough on it.

Previous Rankings

#55 - The Doors - The Doors (1967)

#56 - Simon & Garfunkel - Bookends (1968)

#57 - REM - Automatic For The People (1992)

#58 - The Who - Who's Next (1971)

#59 - Paul Simon - There Goes Rhymin' Simon (1973)

THIS WEEK IN TELEVISION

MONDAY

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (NBC)  Whatever your Christmas Eve night brings - putting this on in the background is the best thing you can do for yourself.  If you haven't seen it in a while - pay attention and feel better about the world.

A CHRISTMAS STORY (TBS)  Marathon time again.

DINERS, DRIVE-INS & DIVES (FOOD)  There's a marathon tonight that includes his best moments in all seasons and it ends with a new episode that includes a gas station selling some great seafood.

TUESDAY

DOCTOR WHO: THE SNOWMEN (BBC)  A depressed Doctor is hanging out in 1892 with a top hat.  At least that's the picture I've seen from the annual special.  You forget how much you miss having new Doctor Who episodes around until you go a couple months without one.

K-9 MARATHON (SYFY)  For those who need a little more Who - this is a marathon of the 2009 series.  Thirteen hours should test your patience.

WEDNESDAY

DARK MATTERS: TWISTED BUT TRUE (SCI)  The latest season comes to an end tonight with the true story of Typhoid Mary.  This series doesn't seem to be running out of weird science facts to lay on me.

BEN & KATE (FOX)  Jeremy says I should be watching this show.  Tonight's got the four best episodes and I may end up putting them on the Tivo.

THURSDAY

HAPPY NEW YEAR, CHARLIE BROWN (ABC)  I hope my own children can learn a lesson from this one as Charlie Brown can't enjoy the New Year party with his girl because he put off reading "War and Peace" all vacation.

THE MINDY PROJECT (FOX)  There have been some great episodes.  But there have been a share of clunkers.  Because of that I can't decide if this is a keeper yet.  Might have to replace it with "Ben & Kate" but you decide tonight with a mini-four pack of Mindy.

FRIDAY
UNDERCOVER BOSS (CBS)  Because it's the end of the year and they know that nobody is watching.  There's not much else on tonight for you so you might end up on this innocuous show.  They're giving you a three hour marathon for you to make your decision.

DUCK DYNASTY (A&E)  I believe this is the 4th marathon of episodes in the last 5 nights.  Poor "Storage Wars", the days of you ruling this network are done.

SATURDAY
STORAGE WARS (A&E)  Well, you do get Saturday nights to yourself, "Storage Wars".  Live with it.  But know that the Ducks rule the roost now.

HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE (ABC)  Post College Football - ABC airs alternating combinations of Harry Potter films, Pirates and Pixar films.  You could do worse.

AUSTIN CITY LIMITS (PBS)  Sonic Youth and their "The Eternal" album.


SUNDAY
CALL THE MIDWIFE HOLIDAY SPECIAL (PBS)  Much like "Downton Abbey" last year - as we get to the end of the year, the more juice this show seems to be getting.  Climb on board before the rest of your friends.  This looks like a good introduction to the series.

UNITED STATES OF BACON (DESTINATION)  Todd Fisher is a bacon expert?  Who do you apply for that?  And now he's got a show eating his way across America.

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR . . Jack In The Box ads are the best.  You know I've always defended their commercials - not the food.  Here there was a nugging . . . 

Three words - weiner dog lasers . . . 

These Diesel shoes look fun and I like the line - "The shoes don't care."

The Ticket Oak creeps me out already but add in the dude in the Santa hat and his scream and I'm spooked. . . 

"They tell me that I'm lazy
Worldly wise
I realize
That everybody's crazy
A woman's voice reminds me
To serve and not to speak."  - Steely Dan

Decline to walk the line.  There's fire in the hole. Stay hard.

sb