Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. July 20th marks the anniversary of the first time man stood on the moon. Flash forward 42 years to July 8, 2011 which marked the start of the final Space Shuttle mission. Should we continue to explore space? Should nations devote more or fewer of their resources to exploring space? Would you want to go into space if the opportunity arose? Most, if not all of the technology that we enjoy today (including the blogosphere and this fucking meme) are from the space program. It started with the transistor and is reflected with today’s computers, smart phones and the like. When people think we’re just photographing rocks, you realize that NASA has done a crappy job of PR. Otherwise, we wouldn’t even debate this. I think we’d get a lot more out of continuing the space program than fighting three unwinable wars. Hey, but that’s just me. Plus, how can we ever meet the Vulcans and Klingons if we don’t stay in space? So yes, I’ll go in space when I can meet T’Pol.

2. What are three things in your freezer? I see dead people. Seriously, there is Smirnoff and ice. And some frozen meat. But I don’t cook. Fortunately, I know people who do. Otherwise I probably would starve.

3. If you could see any band/artist perform live tonite who would it be? It has to be someone living…no Beatles, Elvis, etc. Shit. I can’t pick a dead band to preform live tonight? Suck-o question. I’ll go with So Long Davey. I’ll explain why in a bit.

4. Ice-cubed or crushed? Or are you one of those people who don’t like ice? One of those people? Really? Are you “A” Normal “B” abnormal or “C” weird. I’ll go with crushed here. Now that was insightful!

5. The owner of a small restaurant outside of Pittsburgh recently announced he was banning children under six, saying they regularly disrupted other customer’s meals. You can read the story in more detail here but isn’t this a perfect topic to discuss in our Wednesday Hodgepodge? Have at it friends…what are your thoughts? Since it’s only my second time here, so I’ll pass on the “perfect question” aspect. I understand the owner’s dilemma. But you’d have to lose a lot of customers by carding somebody’s kids. I think you are better treating it on a case by case basis by specifically asking people to control their kids if they are out of control. Or he could simply get a gun and randomly shoot all kids that he thinks are under seven. Problem solved.

6. What was your first car? How did it come to be yours? I bought a 1962 Chevy Impala in 1967. It came to be mine by working, saving money and buying it. I burned it down within six months. (Drive in, liquor, cigarettes, girlfriend)

7. If I had a nickle for every time I ____responded to a meme question__ I’d be rich.

8. Insert your own random thought here. My son James was living with me in 2006 when he announced that he was moving to San Diego to find himself a rock ‘n roll band that needed a songwriter and guitar man. Hewas 24. On Craig’s List he found a singer and front man named David Vaughn. The dude has pipes. James basically signed up to be the guitarist in his back-up band. The move surprised me a bit because David’s music on my space seemed too pop for James. James is an alternative guy. But, then something happened. David and James started writing music together. It gave the band a unique sound because of the blend of pop into the alternative. Instead of being “David Vaughn” the band became So Long Davey. They are still unsigned, but have played to open for bands like The Plain White T’s. They regularly play at The House of Blues in both San Diego and LA. In these past five years they’ve recorded incredible music. I’ve never seen the band live. I keep meaning to go to San Diego, but $$$ has held me back. To surprise James, David booked them two gigs on the east coast. Wednesday the 27th they are in NYC and Friday an hour down the road inn New Haven. I am stoked. Here’s a video of what could be their best song, Six Feet Down.

That is it for a Wednesday.

We will return with something

that is very profound. Or not.

Join us either way.

Same time. Same blog.

First time with this meme. We were reading Stacy Ann’s blog and saw it there.

Wednesday Hodgepodge: Volume 35

1. How has your hometown changed since you were a kid? What has changed most about the neighborhood you grew up in? I occasional drive by the home that I grew up in and the home of the first WTIT Studio. The neighborhood looks the same, but the house my folks kept immaculate, needs paint and has overgrown plants everywhere. The pool where my kids learned to swim was never opened by the current owners. But, on the other hand, it is still there and brings back great memories. This pic was taken during our first photo shoot in 1970 at that house. The balcony was off my folk’s bedroom.

2. What song makes you laugh? I do crack myself up with this blog. But I’ll go with Dilbert here. It always make me laugh out loud. (Somebody has to remember how to spell that phrase.) You now know that I responded to the question by not reading it. I read my second comment before I caught it.

3. Are you a fan of Harry Potter? Read the books? Seen any/all of the movies? Will you be standing in line somewhere close to midnight later this week? For those of you playing along today who live outside the US or UK is Harry Potter a phenomenon in your part of the world? No to all. The first came out opposite of the first Lord of the Rings film. I loved those books growing up and the films were perfect. I guess I chose the adult magic as opposed to the children’s. Plus Liv Tyler was hot as hell back then.

4. If the truth hurts, will you tell a lie? Are we better off as a society in a world that allows no form of deception whatsoever? No. You can’t handle the truth.

5. What is your favorite ‘sauteed in garlic and butter’ food? Or garlic and olive oil if that makes you feel better. Shrimp Scampi.

This photo was shot Christmas Eve in 2008.

6. Attending any reunions this summer/year? High school? family? Other? Do these events stir up excitement or dread? My family has a reunion of sorts every Christmas Eve. It’s the “Brennan” (My mother’s) side of the family and the tradition goes back over 90 years and countless generations. All my first cousins and their kids are there and I guess I love tradition. But trust me, we’ve got some lunatics and crazy uncles. Well that’s a lie. All the uncles on both sides of my family are gone. But if you can’t lie in a meme, where can you?

7. Lilac, hydrangea, peony…pick one. Lilac. What did we just do here?

8. Insert your own random thought here. Last night WTIT recorded a session for the first time in a while. We took our annual DJ Staff pics. So for the first time, here’s WTIT in 2011. But whether this shot was taken on the 13th or 14th is anybody’s guess.