Go ahead, feast on "Beware of Mr. Baker"!!
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Most rock fans will recognize this man as the drummer & co-founder of the band Cream, along with Eric Clapton & Jack Bruce. He was certainly one hell of a character. The documentary below, "Beware of Mr.Baker" was released in 2013. It's a compelling 90 minute!! The man died - according to Wikipedia - on Oct 6/2019. Man was he tough!! Today's generation could definitely learn a few lessons from him. Go ahead, feast on "Beware of Mr. Baker"!! Comments?
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Got a problem? We all have SOME problems, who doesn't? The health system has a "magic bullet" solution: Pop a pill. Depressed? Xanax Anxious? Ativan Insomnia? Seroquel/Risperdal/ a host of others I could go on & on, but you get the idea. Wait a minute: Could it be you're depressed because you're angry about something and - instead of expressing it - you've turned it inward? Could it be you're anxious because you haven't developed the internal resources & self-confidence to deal with the challenges of life? Could it be you've got insomnia because you're all wound up & can't relax enough to sleep? Depression/anxiety/insomnia, and related ailments all upset our equilibrium. They all make it more uncomfortable to be in our own bodies. The curious thing is that we're feeding a multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical industry when the human body comes equipped with a spectacular pharmacy.. Go running, dancing, or any form of exercise and your body will feed you endorphins. Greater levels of oxygenated blood will bathe your internal organs. The more you work your body - up to a point- the more efficiently it will function. I would posit that the same holds true of the mind. Of course, this is not to say that pharmaceuticals have no role in health - they do. If you're anxious, immediate symptom relief is very desirable. Just don't rely on ativan (or whatever it is) to be a "magic bullet". WHAT: 2 Peace Officers boarded the southbound train around 11:00PM last night, removed a man that was sleeping, gave him a ticket. So, What's my beef?: Yes, the gentleman that was removed was sleeping. However, he had not urinated, defecated, or vomited on the train; He was not disturbing other passengers; there were no walkers, strollers, pregnant women, or elderly who required his seat at the time; it was not rush hour so space was not at a premium. Furthermore, the Peace Officers seemed to be ENJOYING the process of removing this man & serving him with a ticket that he, in all likelihood, will have difficulty paying. This just doesn't seem right, let alone fair. Thoughts/comments? So, it's the summer of 2007. At this point in time I am a raging, full-blown crack cocaine addict. I am sitting in "Dr".Sukhovski's office. He looks at me thoughtfully. "How is your appetite, Rahul?", he asks. I shrug my shoulders. "...Haven't been eating much; alright I guess". He opens his desk drawer, pulls out two small packets. He places them in my hand I open my hand & see two packets of sea salt. "Wha--?" is all that comes out of my mouth. He leans back, big smile on his face: "It's alright Rahul, go ahead & take them", he says emphatically. I pause for a second. This is two goddamn packs of sea salt. They come free at certain seafood restaurants. This guy is some piece of work. I look at him, my face an absolute mask. "Thanks Andrei, I'll put this on my fries." So, this is the kind of shit a person can be subjected to when they're "in the system". P.S: In all fairness to the good doctor, it is NOT his duty to ensure his patients are fed. The patient's gotta take responsibility for SOMETHING, right?! So, TIME magazine has named Greta Thunberg person of the year. Let's step back for a moment & examine some facts. Miss Thunberg is 16 years old & lives with her parents. Yes, most people have lived with their parents, many far beyond the age of 16. And her parents, like many others, have bestowed largesse upon her. By that I mean that they have paid for her trips to the U.N, Alberta, and elsewhere. I want to stress that many parents - of sufficient affluence - would be happy to support their children in this manner. At the same time, however, she has not (yet) had to face adult responsibilities such as holding down a job & paying bills. Were she to demonstrate competence in these matters her credibility would be greatly enhanced. Instead of protesting outside Sweden's parliament, perhaps she could spend a bit more time in grasping the complexities of the issues that she so vehemently rails against? While it is commendable that she cares about the environment, naming her "Person of the Year" is premature in the EXTREME. Maybe - MAYBE - after she's done something. Furthermore, is she sufficiently grounded so that all this sudden fame & notoriety will not go to her head? For her sake, I hope so, but have my doubts. Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, & Mother Teresa - to name just 3 - worked for a long time & accomplished much more than she has before they were recognized. So, Greta Thunberg, I wish you success in your endeavors but remember two things: 1. It takes more than a few speeches to make a lasting impact. 2. As my mother used to say to me: "Don;t think yourself TOO smart." I'm sitting in Sukhovski's office. I let out a fart. The expulsion of fecal-laced gas feels good against my sphincter. I would rather it expel into Sukhovski's face. I smile inwardly at the thought. Sukh tells me that the entire staff were cheering me on years ago when I got a full-time job. I honestly do not recall - at any time - going to/coming home from/ being at work and seeing ANYONE cheering me on. Maybe Sukhovski sees things that I don't? What else could it be? It's clear that he expects gratitude from me. This puzzles me..As far as I'm concerned, I should experience some benefit in order to exude gratitude. He is fulfilling a role assigned to him by the state. Anyhow, I play along (for awhile). Something about him puts me off about him. He is not as open, compassionate, accepting as he would have me believe. He certainly knows how to get along in society. Of course, this may all be my imagination. Clearly, he possesses superior intellect & education. Who am I to expect that some effort be put towards me? By contrast with him I am but a bumbling oaf. You can enter but never leave. He believed that he could "fix" people. Furthermore, he believed it could be done effortlessly. His method was to ask inane questions & prescribe "medication". I arrived on the island over 20 years ago. At first, it was pleasant enough. Over time, however, his motives became clear. He presented himself in such a way as to suggest that his shit had no smell. That it was odorless. I can neither confirm nor deny the truth of this. It seems to me, however, to be highly dubious. I often imagined what it must be like to have a digestive system like that. Below is a musician performing at a welcome reception to the island. I've heard that this guy is #1 in Russia. Personally, I would say he sounds like #2 (HA HA). To be continued... Since spring 2019, protests have disrupted life in Hong Kong. 30 years ago, in June 1989, pro-democracy protests were held in Tiananmen Square in China. The Chinese gov't responded to those protests years ago with lethal force. Hundreds of citizens were killed. So far, they have been (by Chinese standards) lenient with the protesters in Hong Kong. This is significant for the world. Will the Chinese replace the USA as the world's policeman? Don't be too quick to cheer. Although corruption exists here too, I firmly believe the world is a better place under the eye of the Americans. China is tightening its grip on power & stifling dissent; they've been doing this for years. But Western nations have tried to appease them. They've just gotten bolder. International firms doing business in China are punished with cancelled contracts when their employees voice views deemed "subversive. As an example, see this recent article in The Guardian: www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/oct/08/adam-silver-nba-china-tv-broadcasts-hong-kong People, standing up for our values is important. What next? Will we keep silent until we, too, are subjugated? Then it will be too late.
Let's stand with our brothers & sisters in Hong Kong. I'm sure that anyone who lives & works here in Canada can relate to the frustrations these people feel as they fight to retain a degree of control over their lives. And the Chinese gov't certainly hasn't shed any tears over anyone they;ve mowed down. Unlike Prime Minister Trudeau; I wouldn't be surprised if he went to Newfoundland to apologize for all the fish taken from their "schools" by Canadian fishermen. I close this post with another example of Chinese Democracy, again from The Guardian: www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/oct/08/blitzchung-hearthstone-blizzard-banned-hong-kong-protests I'd seen this band once before: June 2/2000 @ the Agricom, opening for Motorhead. That was a good night & so was tonight! They kicked ass from the get-go. Now, I don't know any of their songs or own any of their albums but I know what I like. I like this band, dripping with attitude, rocking out, passing a 40 of Jack Daniels among themselves throughout the set. The crowd was really into them too; the floor in front of the stage was slippery from spilled drinks.
I also liked the opener, the Confusionnaires. They're a Rockabilly trio with some good energy to them. Apparently, from Edmonton too. In the middle was Don Jameson, a hard rock/heavy metal comedian. One joke sticks out for me: "What's the difference between a hockey player & Courtney Love? A hockey player showers after 3 periods." I also bought some merch: a CD by Nine Pound Hammer; I wonder if that name is somehow a play on Nine Inch Nails? Anyways, it's in a country music sort of vein, something I don't normally listen to. But I enjoyed this. Stand out cuts: Roll on Big Mama, & Wanted Man. In the next little while I plan to buy a Nashville Pussy CD, either through Amazon or perhaps Record Collectors Paradise. In the meantime & in between time, keep on ROCKIN'! This was an excellent gig. This tour, Legacy of the Beast, marks the 3rd retrospective tour Iron Maiden have undertaken. (There was also Somewhere Back In Time in 2008, & Maiden England in 2012. They delivered the goods. Unlike other Maiden gigs I've been at, the sound was excellent. The opening number, Aces High, included a lifesize replica Spitfire (WWII era fighter plane). Bruce later said that it was used by Poland's 303 Squadron in WWII. The production was all around cool; plenty of pyro. Bruce even wielded a flamethrower on Flight of Icarus. As an introduction to The Clansman, Bruce rambled on about Braveheart. I missed the opening act. Nearly didn't get in cos my cellphone wasn't getting service in Rogers Place (& the ticket was on the phone of course). Anyways, after about 10 minutes of fiddling, I rebooted the phone. That worked and I was able to display my ticket. The merch: Lots of t-shirts. I didn't buy one but I did buy a Legacy of The Beast graphic novel for $25. From the bit I read on the bus home, Eddie is in some sort of cosmic battle with evil forces. If I'm not mistaken, I think this collects material previously published in Heavy Metal, possibly with some bonus material thrown in. I think it's pretty nifty. Set List: Intro Aces High Where Eagles Dare 2 Minutes to Midnight The Clansman The Trooper Revelations For the Greater Good of God The Wicker MAn Sign of The Cross Flight of Icarus Fear of the Dark Number of the Beast Iron Maiden The Evil That Men Do Hallowed Be Thy Name Run To the Hills Below are a couple of photos I took at the gig. Please feel free to sign in & comment!! Did you go? What did you think? |
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