OK that may seem strange, but with my day there is a correlation.
At 09:00 I had gone over to Peekskill NY to spent abit of time with my Bagpipe Instructor going over the intricacies of an archaic wind instrument. Bagpipes at one time were also banned by the British Crown as weapon of war due to the proclivities of a few Highland Clans. So aside from annoying neighbors and making a bit of noise the session was good and the pipes are in fair working order.
As for sidearms, well I'm attempting to source spare parts for what now possibly classify as antiques being 40 years old. I've had some luck but it is amazing how much control there is over the industries producing weapons and parts let alone the importation of parts. For for a legal firearms owner it oft becomes a trial of patience sometimes just to pass through the governmental controls. But in the end there is some satisfaction knowing that even abiding by the laws one can partake in hobbies deemed oafish and selfish by the mass media. Hey did you know more people are killed with Automobiles in the U.S. than hand guns? Maybe we truely need stronger licensing arrangements for drivers than shooters.
Ah now coffee, funny how things seem to run around in circles; Coffee being one of those items.
Charbucks, Seattle's over-roaster and perveyor of over priced brews has become almost a common name for coffee. But now they are gonna sell regular coffee for a $1.00 a cup? Wow what a concept. Um no, I'll just go over to the corner market fill a cup from the communal pot and keep it simple. Maxwell House, Folgers, Chock Full of Nuts, et al are fine by me. i don't need designer coffee, my tastes aren't that refined.
Good music of traditional and folk venues, a bit of target practice, strong coffee maybe with a touch of Baileys and my relic of a motorcycle tend to keep me occupied and reasonably happy.
Cheers and Prosit Alles,
Q
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Missive that goes off track
Ah life is good; get to sleep late as I want, work out at the gym, and loaf about as I choose. So anyone want to buy a bridge in Brooklyn? Having no set schedule I choose not to set one and experience each day as it unfolds. Be it burning trash out side a bar in a barrel at 10:00 or blogging at 18:00 and yes I use a 24 hour clock and don't refer to AM and PM.
Saw the news today that the Kennedy families are supporting Mr. Obama. If the choice was only between Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton, there is no choice, Obama would get my nod. Thankfully there are more choices yet and the circus is still playing out across the nation. So the bar pools still look like fun. Too bad Mr. Thompson dropped from the circus, bar pools are interesting with more characters to plot.
Speaking of bars, most people have a favorite one they prefer to go to. The same goes for myself, unfortunately as things go the bar's days are numbered as well. Some how the concept of chain/boxstore bars don't cut it with me and I got to go hunt a new dive. As for the back road bars, they are more foot notes in heavily populated areas. In Tarpon Springs Florida, there was the Tarpon Turtle (now a semi forgotten foot note). Ocean Springs Mississippi has the Old Fort Bayou Saloon. It withstood the ravages of Katrina and is still going strong. Brewster New York in the area know as Tilly Foster had the Old Six Pub and it's previous name was Archie's.
The afore mentioned establishments are or were all working class bars. Railroad men, Bikers, Fishermen, and local color would all mill about and enjoy each other's company. Well my current favorite is as much that and more. Bankers and Lawyers are on equal footing with Police and Firemen as well as Iron Workers, Craft Carpenters and Fine Cabinet Makers and Reporters.
But the Bar's days are now numbered more in hours and crowds of people who only know about it from a book or newspaper article are flocking there. I don't want to share the location or name of the place for fear that even by word of an unknow blog more people would assemble for the last hours. And this has been a place which has been able to side slip time in a way. When is the last time anyone has been in a combination General Store where they could get basic items, a loaf of bread, milk, eggs, newspapers or slip off to the back room and quaff a beer and overlook one of America's most majestic rivers? In the cold still air of mid winter watch the fire burn in the fireplace and hear stories and information regarding the filming of movies.
How unique is the place? It lays between the railroad tracks and the river, the current small craft harbor used to be a sea/float plane launch. Just north of the harbor was a ferry to what was Buttermilk Falls and the Nation's first and oldest institution of Military Education. About once a month you could hear live acoustic music and even participate if you choose. Karioke it wasn't, You had to know the songs. As for the instruments, African Drums and modern Frame Drums would be side by side with Bagpipers, Fiddlers, Accordionists, Floutists, Classically trained Violinists and Opera Singers. Acoustic Bass Players and Classical Guitarists would all play together.
Well a great boogeyman call time is standing at the door and his time shall come; and this bar too shall pass unto history. But still I can't help but wonder if this is truely progress?
Saw the news today that the Kennedy families are supporting Mr. Obama. If the choice was only between Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton, there is no choice, Obama would get my nod. Thankfully there are more choices yet and the circus is still playing out across the nation. So the bar pools still look like fun. Too bad Mr. Thompson dropped from the circus, bar pools are interesting with more characters to plot.
Speaking of bars, most people have a favorite one they prefer to go to. The same goes for myself, unfortunately as things go the bar's days are numbered as well. Some how the concept of chain/boxstore bars don't cut it with me and I got to go hunt a new dive. As for the back road bars, they are more foot notes in heavily populated areas. In Tarpon Springs Florida, there was the Tarpon Turtle (now a semi forgotten foot note). Ocean Springs Mississippi has the Old Fort Bayou Saloon. It withstood the ravages of Katrina and is still going strong. Brewster New York in the area know as Tilly Foster had the Old Six Pub and it's previous name was Archie's.
The afore mentioned establishments are or were all working class bars. Railroad men, Bikers, Fishermen, and local color would all mill about and enjoy each other's company. Well my current favorite is as much that and more. Bankers and Lawyers are on equal footing with Police and Firemen as well as Iron Workers, Craft Carpenters and Fine Cabinet Makers and Reporters.
But the Bar's days are now numbered more in hours and crowds of people who only know about it from a book or newspaper article are flocking there. I don't want to share the location or name of the place for fear that even by word of an unknow blog more people would assemble for the last hours. And this has been a place which has been able to side slip time in a way. When is the last time anyone has been in a combination General Store where they could get basic items, a loaf of bread, milk, eggs, newspapers or slip off to the back room and quaff a beer and overlook one of America's most majestic rivers? In the cold still air of mid winter watch the fire burn in the fireplace and hear stories and information regarding the filming of movies.
How unique is the place? It lays between the railroad tracks and the river, the current small craft harbor used to be a sea/float plane launch. Just north of the harbor was a ferry to what was Buttermilk Falls and the Nation's first and oldest institution of Military Education. About once a month you could hear live acoustic music and even participate if you choose. Karioke it wasn't, You had to know the songs. As for the instruments, African Drums and modern Frame Drums would be side by side with Bagpipers, Fiddlers, Accordionists, Floutists, Classically trained Violinists and Opera Singers. Acoustic Bass Players and Classical Guitarists would all play together.
Well a great boogeyman call time is standing at the door and his time shall come; and this bar too shall pass unto history. But still I can't help but wonder if this is truely progress?
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Q's new beginning
Q, why Q? Why not may be the least reasonable answer I could provide for anyone. But there are several answers to that question and it isn't related to James Bond's Quartermaster, Mr. Roddenberry, Any Star Trek program or characters related to the program. First I've a unique name, my given name starts with the letter Q. Second I've had professional relations with some serious jokers over the years and one would address me as Q rather than by my name. So in a sense this is to remember him by and as a different way of expressing myself.
A new beginning; No I'm not born again, experiencing a rebirth of any kind spiritual, physical (geez that could hurt someone I'm 6'2" and 235 pounds) or existential.
No, my new beginning is much simpler. I have recently retired from a professional position and have some free time to explore the country, things around me and interact with them as I will. Thus the Blog is Q's escapades. I hope to be light hearted with what I do. I've had to be too serious for too long with my previous career(s). So while there may be moments where I may come across heavily, it is because of how a subject affects me.
So join me upon the 'Ship of Fools' called life and if you see a posting from anything resembling 'S/V Wayward Son' be advised that's the name of my sail boat and it may be part of my journeys for a while.
So grab a beer, sit back and enjoy the show. For so far in my life 'A Long Strange Trip' is what it has been.
Prosit and Cheers!
Q.
A new beginning; No I'm not born again, experiencing a rebirth of any kind spiritual, physical (geez that could hurt someone I'm 6'2" and 235 pounds) or existential.
No, my new beginning is much simpler. I have recently retired from a professional position and have some free time to explore the country, things around me and interact with them as I will. Thus the Blog is Q's escapades. I hope to be light hearted with what I do. I've had to be too serious for too long with my previous career(s). So while there may be moments where I may come across heavily, it is because of how a subject affects me.
So join me upon the 'Ship of Fools' called life and if you see a posting from anything resembling 'S/V Wayward Son' be advised that's the name of my sail boat and it may be part of my journeys for a while.
So grab a beer, sit back and enjoy the show. For so far in my life 'A Long Strange Trip' is what it has been.
Prosit and Cheers!
Q.
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