Dear Blog

Monday June 30, 2008

Dear Blog

This past week on Tuesday evening, ABC Television took advantage of the recent popular Spike TV show, Most Extreme Elimination Challenge by airing two new rip-off shows.

You’ll remember that MXC was the ultimate in reality sports, where two teams of contestants were both physically and mentally challenged and eliminated through crazy and challenging games. To add to the fun, there was the hilarious commentary of Kenny Blankenship and Vic Romano, along with field reporter Guy LeDouche (and his many family members) and Field Marshall / Referee Captain Tenneal.

This program originally came from a Japanese reality series called Takeshi's Castle that has been dubbed into English with comedic results that has nothing to do with the original format of the original program.

The smart assed, snide overdubbed remarks were some of the best comedy since the same type of humor from Mystery Science Theatre 3000
from the 1988 – 1999 cable TV show.

But I digress, .. at 8 PM, the show Wipeout was about "Human cannonballs! Human pinballs! Crashes, smashes and mud splashes!" explained by the entirely unhyperbolic press release from ABC. But this really does pretty much sum it up. Twenty-four people without any sense of shame go through various obstacle courses en route to a $50,000 prize. You have contests like the "Dizzy Dummy" or "Dirty Balls." Of the latter, host John Henson explains to his co-host, John Anderson, "Mama never told me there'd be balls like this." Large, meaty people tumble over these giant balloons, looking very foolish, and - best I can tell - incapable of making it over the last ball.

The 9 PM serving of I Survived A Japanese Game Show may have a bit of Survivor / Big Brother injected as there is a group vote off of one person, periodically. In this venture, 10 Americans shot this in Japan in early spring (contestants were told they were only going to compete in a reality show, but not that this would be their fate). Various competitions are, in fact, culled from actual Japanese game shows. As part of their endurance test - the winner gets $250,000 - they must try to eat food on top of the head of another contestant while he/she is on a fast-moving treadmill. Then, umm, let's see. Oh, yes, there's also the game called "Chicken Butt Scramble." I'll let you watch to discover what this is about. Ah, heck – I’ll tell you .. "The contestants create their own version of Japanese scrambled eggs as they attempt to smash goo-filled oversized eggs with only their butts ... while wearing chicken suits."

I think these shows will be the talk of Summer TV .. along with America’s Got Talent and Last Comic Standing.

A pregnant Rocket Dog regains the respect and leadership of the Whiskers’ tribe on Friday’s episode of Animal Planet’s Meerkat Manor. Her first task was to banish her pregnant sister, Sophie, from the group .. who had taken up with a ‘rover’ Meerkat.

Orangu-Can premiered Friday, June 27 on Animal Planet.
Azy, a 30-year-old male orangutan, used more than 70 symbols to communicate his thoughts and desires and has demonstrated incredible recognition skills and long-term memory. I’d keep an eye on this Friday night series.

George Carlin hosted a Repeat performance of the very first Saturday Night Live, ever, this week. It aired, originally, on October 11, 1975.
Carlin performed three individual monologues on the program that also introduced audiences to the now legendary "Not Ready For Prime-Time Players" Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Larraine Newman and Gilda Radner.
The 1975 episode also featured musical guests Janis Ian and Billy Preston as well as a landmark performance from comedian Andy Kaufman.

Over this past week, the Washington baseball team won 3 of 6 games after beating their arch rival Baltimore Orioles, 3-2 in 12 innings on Sunday. Ronnie Belliard hit a 2-run Home Run in the bottom of the 12th inning. The Nats took 2 of 3 from the Orioles at Nationals Park after losing 2 of 3 earlier, this year, in Baltimore.

Washington travels to South Florida for 3 games, this week, against the Marlins .. followed by a 4 game series in Cincinnati with the Red Stockings.

The Nationals have an unprecedented 12 players on the Diabled List.

Singer, Guitarist - Adrienne Zolondick played a spirited solo gig Saturday night at Parrotdise, on Ramrod Key, Florida.

Tom Brokow hosted this week’s edition of Meet The Press and will do so for most of the future Sunday morning NBC programs.
He interviewed Arnold Schwarznagger who will, most likely,
‘be baacck’ !

Kurt Busch won NASCAR’s rain shortened Lenox Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire on Sunday.
Michael Waltrip finished 2nd and J.J. Yeley finished 3rd.
Tony Stewart led for more than 163 laps but ‘pitted’ just before the rains came and finished a disappointing 13th. Denny Hamlin finished 13th and Kyle Busch finished 23rd.
Next Saturday finds NASCAR at Daytona International Speedway in the July Sprint Cup Series 400 on July 5th in Daytona, Florida.

DC United beat the Los Angeles Galaxy and David Beckham, 4-1 in a Major League Soccer match at RFK Stadium.

For those of you not in the know, Hugh Rowland is currently a main 'character' on the History Channel’s newest show Ice Road Truckers which follows his life hauling vital supplies to Diamond Mines over frozen Lakes and Oceans near the Arctic Circle that for only 2 months of the year become roads. This virtually unknown occupation of Ice Road Trucking is considered to be the world's most dangerous job and has been responsible for the deaths of dozens of men.
Ax Men must be the 2nd most dangerous form of employment !

Today in Key West, the high air temperature is predicted to be 88 degrees with a Relative Humidity of only 69 %. Clear and sunny all day.
Today’s LoCo weather forecast calls for air temperatures of 85 degrees but with a Relative Humidity of 84 %. Late afternoon thunderstorms are anticipated.


Okay, thanks for dropping by this Blog, today.
I hope to see you, tomorrow, for amateur Lyricist day at this URL.


My time is, now, up .. I thank you for yours.

LARRY CURTIS SPURLOCK

GEORGE HARRISON and the Leslie Speaker

Friday June 27, 2008

Larry Curtis Spurlock

GEORGE HARRISON

and the Leslie Speaker

Again, at the apex of modern music innovation – George Harrison did not invent the Leslie rotating Speaker but he most certainly brought it out of the Hammond Organ only closet.

The Leslie Speaker was invented in 1941 by a man named Donald Leslie. The prototype was known as a Vibratone and it’s only use was as a companion to the Hammond Organ which had no built in Speakers.

Mr. Leslie, later, sold his Company to CBS in 1965 who had already purchased the Fender Guitar Company.

This marriage of Guitars and rotating Speakers was the perfect opening for George Harrison whose Beatles were in business with CBS.

The Beatles were working on the Album, Revolver which was George’s coming out party as a Writer, Producer and Lead Singer.

Although he was only credited with the Album’s initial song, Taxman and I Want To Tell You (about his trouble getting Lennon and McCartney to listen to his music) and Love You Too – he influenced the entire Album. His Indian influence and Sitar playing flung the Beatles into a different era. He wrote the music for McCartney’s Norwegian Wood and Got To Get You Into My Life.

But it was his help with John Lennon’s I’m Only Sleeping and Tomorrow Never Knows that George influenced Rock Music forevermore.

George had shown John how he could make his Guitar sound like Church Bells using a version of the Leslie and the two joined with Beatles Engineer Geoff Emerick to create that sound for John’s voice on Tomorrow Never Knows.

Much of the backing track consists of a series of prepared tape loops, stemming from the Groups interest in and experiments with magnetic tape and musique concrète techniques at that time. According to Beatles session chronicler Mark Lewisohn, George prepared a series of loops at home, and these then were added to the pre-recorded backing track. This was reportedly done live in a single take, with multiple tape recorders running simultaneously, some of the longer loops extending out of the control room and down the corridor.

Finally, when George brought Eric Clapton into the Beatles sessions at Apple on Abbey Road – they used a version of the old Leslie and Eric played it on his Fender Stratocaster on While My Guitar Gently Weeps, on the White Album at George’s direction.

Returning the favor – George visited the Studio Session where Cream was recording the 3 Studio songs for the Goodbye Cream album.

George had written a song for Eric while the two sat at a table in the Lunchroom. George was going to play a Leslie version 16 at the Bridge on the Cream recording although Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce were less than enthusiastic.

Eric, sitting directly across from George as he scribbled down the lyrics saw the word BRIDGE and mistook it for BADGE. And so it was. The song was titled Badge.

The most famous version of George’s model 16 of the Leslie was actually heard on a Cream Album where Baker and Bruce continue to reap Royalties from George’s innovation.

You can hear the Church Bells ringing in George’s white Stratocaster abrupty after these lyrics:

Thinkin' 'bout the times you drove in my car.
Thinkin' that I might have drove you too far.
And I'm thinkin' 'bout the love that you laid on my table.

I told you not to wander 'round in the dark.
I told you 'bout the swans, that they live in the park.
Then I told you 'bout our kid, now he's married to Mabel.

And there it was. A version of the original Leslie rotating Speaker.

bridge: w/chorus & delay

e-----------------------------------------------

b-----------0-----0---0-----3-------------0-----

g-----2---0-------0-------2---2-----2----0-0--0-

d-0-4-----------0-------0-------0-4-----0--0-0--

a-------3-----2-----------------------3----2----

e-------------------3---------------------------

Another popular example of George’s rotating Speaker sound is at the beginning of Ringo Starr’s 1971 Single, It Don’t Come Easy. Paul McCartney’s Let It Be was another. And another was John Lennon’s Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds.

Of course George recorded several songs of his own using the model 16 but the most famous were the ones for John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton.

George Harrison; always the giver !

Badge

1969

From the Goodbye Cream album / CD

CREAM

Written by: Geoprge Harrison & Eric Clapton

Vocals by: Eric Clapton

B a d g e

Thinkin' 'bout the times you drove in my car.
Thinkin' that I might have drove you too far.
And I'm thinkin' 'bout the love that you laid on my table.

I told you not to wander 'round in the dark.
I told you 'bout the swans, that they live in the park.
Then I told you 'bout our kid, now he's married to Mabel.

Yes, I told you that the light goes up and down.
Don't you notice how the wheel goes 'round?
And you better pick yourself up from the ground
Before they bring the curtain down,
Yes, before they bring the curtain down.

Talkin' 'bout a girl that looks quite like you.
She didn't have the time to wait in the queue.
She cried away her life since she fell off the cradle.

Editors Note:
If you would like to hear the original tune performed in the Studio ..with George Harrison joining Cream’s Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker - please click on the following Link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7rHCYtbZRo

Thank you, kindly.

LARRY CURTIS SPURLOCK

5500 Years From Home

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

5500 Years From Home

In addition to the 250 plus Lyrical Pieces that I have written and received Copyright Protection from the Library Of Congress - I have, also, written a Novel (copyrighted but not Published) entitled 5500 Years From Home. I am currently working on a 2nd Book entitled The Island that I am about 1/2 the way towards completion, at this date.

I have decided to, occasionally, post excerpts from 5500 Years From Home in this Blog space.

Today, we peruse the pre-page Chapter 1 - Characters. Enjoy !

* * * * *

5500 YEARS FROM HOME

Characters

Chapter 1 … Coventry … pages 1-9

1. Thom Martin …

2. Audrey Martin … Thom’s wife

3. Cyndi Martin … Thom & Audrey’s 10 year old Daughter

4. Corey Martin … Thom & Audrey’s 7 year old Son

5. Janice Carlton … Audrey’s Mother

6. Charles Carlton … Audrey’s 67 year old Father

7. Judy Mullins … churchgoer .. no children / rednecks

8. Hal Mullins … Judy’s Husband, hunter

9. Judy’s Brother … no name mentioned

10. Preacher Willoby … People’s Church

11. Dorothy Willoby … Preacher’s wife

12.&13. Mr. & Mrs. Chardonnay … churchgoers .. 80s

14.&15. Mickey Wiley & Silvia Shafer … 80s .. neighbors

16. Bonnie Waters … husband Cleve died, cancer, 1990 .. 62 y.o. / Black

17.&18. Simone & Cleve, Jr. … Bonnie’s kids / Black

19.&20. Peggy & Maury Hearst … she owns Coventry Boutique

21. Sherm Puller … old Black man .. dog, Bobo

22. Ron Brooks … Varsity Football Coach at Suburban high School

23. Irene Brooks … wife

24.&25. Brad & Chad Brooks … their 8 y.o. Twins

26. Suzy Kern … College

27. Phil … Suzy’s boyfriend

28. Don … Phil’s brother .. Science in Colleg .. married .. Son, 4 y.o. – Timothy

29. Darlene … Don’ wife

30. Gloria … Darlene’s friend .. Teacher

31. Clyde Conners … friend of the Stars

LARRY CURTIS SPURLOCK

raid at the herndon railroad station

6 21 253 8

2007

larry curtis spurlock

raid at the herndon railroad station

verse 1

john singleton mosby

was his name

but the gray ghost

was his claim to fame

born a virginia gentleman

to father alfred and mother virginny

his childhood health was poor

and his body was frail and skinny

he was 27 years old

at the outbreak of the civil war

where he became a guerrilla scout

highlighting his legendary lore

hook

with the raid at the herndon railroad station

fighting for the confederate nation

on st. patrick’s day in 1863

snow blowing - you could barely see

him and just four of his rebel rangers

captured 26 yankee strangers

creating a historical sensation

with the raid at the herndon railroad station

verse 2

mosby attended u.va.

in the blue ridge hill and dale

but he shot a classmate bully

and spent time in the charlottesville jail

he was pardoned by the governor

in the year 1853

then married pauline clark

and attained his law degree

and although he was against secession

he joined the southern cause

and soon became a major

gaining great applause

hook

with the raid at the herndon railroad station

fighting for the confederate nation

on st. patrick’s day in 1863

snow blowing - you could barely see

him and just four of his rebel rangers

captured 26 yankee strangers

creating a historical sensation

with the raid at the herndon railroad station

verse 3

mosby became famous

for carrying out daring raids

inside the union lines

behind enemy barricades

he captured general stoughton

while he slept in 1862

the general cried did you get mosby

mosby replied, no but he got you

soonafter president ulysses s. grant

captured and hung six of mosby’s men

many heard the gray ghost scream

this is where it all begins

hook

with the raid at the herndon railroad station

fighting for the confederate nation

on st. patrick’s day in 1863

snow blowing - you could barely see

him and just four of his rebel rangers

captured 26 yankee strangers

creating a historical sensation

with the raid at the herndon railroad station

verse 4

in dranesville and herndon

the union had great hold

with yankee soldiers stationed everywhere

no confederate would be so bold

as to venture near this soljourn

no gray could penetrate

so mosby dressed in blue coat

and sneaked in while they ate

at kitty hanna’s kitchen

26 yankees sat to dine

but mosby stole their horses and guns

and after capture – ate their homemade pies

hook

with the raid at the herndon railroad station

fighting for the confederate nation

on st. patrick’s day in 1863

snow blowing - you could barely see

him and just four of his rebel rangers

captured 26 yankee strangers

creating a historical sensation

with the raid at the herndon railroad station

Dear Blog

Monday June 23, 2008

Dear Blog

On Friday afternoon, I looked out my Living Room window and saw a woman pushing a Twin Baby Stroller up the street .. with a Basset Hound Dog on a leash. Now, the woman is walking at a faster pace than just normal walking.
It’s none of my business but I’d guess that she just had these Twin Babies within the past year and she’s out walking off the excess weight gain. That’s fine. Even admirable. And even though the Baby Carriage’s hood is laid back to where she cannot see the children (as opposed to laid forward where she can view the kids) – it’s, still, none of my business. I’d prefer that she be able to watch the kids in case of an emergency .. but it’s not my damn business to interject any, likewise, comment.
What I wasn’t too happy about was the poor Dog was walking somewhere that he, obviously, didn’t want to go (did I mention that my street is a 900’ dead end road?). In addition to this, at one point, the Dog stops to pee. The woman did, at least, give him that respect .. but when he finished, he laid down. The woman gave him a yank on the leash for him to get up and continue her brisk jaunt. This irritated me but I’m careful enough to not enter someone else’s affairs.
So, what did I do ? I grabbed MY Dog’s outside water bowl and intercepted her in front of my driveway. I, politely, asked her if her Dog would like a water break. She, politely, told me that he had a drink before leaving home .. but I sat the water bowl down in front of him, anyway. The poor guy WAS thirsty and drank 8-10 slurps from the bowl.
The woman thanked me and continued her exercise routine.
I hope I made a positive influence on this lady .. but, regardless, I feel good about my participation in the activity as I saw it.

A vicious Nikita defends her territory when the Whiskers wander onto Commando territory on this week’s episode of Meerkat Manor.

Tina Fey hosts a Repeat of Saturday Night Live, this week.

Over this past week, the new Washington baseball team lost 5 of 6 games against the old Washington Baseball teams.
First, the Nationals went to Minnesota to play 3 games against the Twins who were the Washington Baseball team from the inception of their modern franchise until 1960. The Nats lost all 3 .. two by blowouts.
Then, the Nats came home to their new ballpark in SouthEast Washington where they played 3 games against the Texas Rangers .. who were the Washington Baseball team from 1961 through 1969. The Nats won 1 of these games; a 4-3 squeeker in 14 innings on Friday night.
Yes, this team is playing without 3B Ryan Zimmerman, 1B Nick Johnson, RF Austin Kerns as well as several Starting Pitchers AND their Closer .. but I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – this team sucks !

My favorite local musical Group ( Injade .. featuring Singer, Guitarist - Adrienne Zolondick ) played gigs Friday & Saturday night at Virgillio’s, just outside the island of Key West. Both nights, they blew the House away.
I have applied for the position of Agent ( and Songwriter ) for Ms. Zolondick. We’ll see.

Brian Williams hosts this week’s edition of Meet The Press where Joe Biden (D-Delaware) walked all over sissy Lindsey Graham (R-NC).

Joe Gibbs Racing’s Kyle Busch won NASCAR’s Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California on Sunday.
It was the 6th first place finish in the Sprint Cup Series for JGR in 2008. David Gilliland finished 2nd and sissy, Jeff Gordon finished 3rd.
JGR’s Tony Stewart was in 2nd place with 5 laps to go but for the third time, this year – he was spun out by another Driver’s errant mistake.
Next Sunday finds NASCAR at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in the Lenox Industrial Tools 301 in Loudon, New Hampshire.

Weather closes the Ice Road on this week’s episode of Ice Road Truckers.

Today in Key West, the high air temperature is predicted to be 88 degrees with a Relative Humidity of only 63 %. Clear and sunny all day.
Today’s LoCo weather forecast calls for air temperatures of 83 degrees but with a Relative Humidity of 83 %. Late afternoon thunderstorms are anticipated.

Legendary comedian George Carlin has died of Heart failure at age 71.
R.I.P., George. You always made me laugh at your jokes and more importantly, you always made me think about your topic.


Okay, thanks for dropping by this Blog, today.
I hope to see you, tomorrow, for amateur Lyricist day at this URL.


My time is, now, up .. I thank you for yours.

LARRY CURTIS SPURLOCK

Bill Monroe & The Bluegrass Boys

Written for Friday; June 20, 2008

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Bill Monroe & The Bluegrass Boys

at Wolftrap Farm Park for the Performing Arts

The year was about 1978 .. give or take 2 years. It seems like only last month. But, that’s how it is when you get older.

Anyway, I was into Bluegrass Music and Bluegrass Festivals since about 1974.

There was a Musical Show coming to Wolftrap Farm Park for the Performing Arts in Vienna, Virginia featuring John Hartford, Vassar Clements, The Dillards & Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Headlined by Bill Monroe & The Bluegrass Boys.

I liked all those Acts. I was and had been into the CB Radio craze for a while and my CB Handle was Cosmic Cowboy – the all-time great hit by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

At Wolftrap – you can sit on the Lawn out in open air or you can sit in Bleacher Seats just under roof .. or you can sit in the Expensive Chairs down near the front.

Since I really enjoyed all these Acts – my Girlfriend and I and 4 other Friends bought the High Dollar Tickets. Our Seats were Stage Left, close to the middle and about Row 5.

The WarmUp Acts performed for about two hours and ten minutes and then there was about a 20 minute break.

Right before Bill Monroe & The Bluegrass Boys came on Stage .. the 8 people sitting directly in front of my Party got up and walked out to our left. And in from our right came walking in John Hartford, Vassar Clements, Jeff Hanna, John McEuen, Jimmie Fadden, Jimmy Ibbotson, Bernie Leadon and Rodney Dillard.

Evidently, the 8 people who walked out were Seat Holders .. and some members of the WarmUp Acts were coming in to watch Bill Monroe & The Bluegrass Boys.

Oh. My. God ! I am such a Fan of these guys .. and there they were .. sitting right in front of me. My Girlfriend had already told me three times to leave them alone .. and I really meant to .. but I just could not help myself. Finally, I leaned forward and right in between Jeff Hanna and Jimmy Ibbotson, I said,

“Hey, I’m gonna leave you guys alone but I just love your music .. and by the way, I AM the Cosmic Cowboy .. on the CB Radio !”

Before I had a chance to lean back into my seat, John McEuen who was sitting next to Jeff Hanna remarked quite loudly,

“Jesus Christ, I smell Hashish !

To which John Hartford, sitting next to Jimmy Ibbotson, replied,

“It’s the Cosmic Cowboy sitting here behind us.”

I just sat there leaning forward and smiling like the proverbial Skunk eating sh!t until my Girlfriend pulled me back into my seat. My Party was all looking at me like I was ‘da man’. And really, I was. I was ‘de man’.

That was just the coolest thing to have happen to anybody .. and it happened to me.

And quite honestly, the story could have ended right there and it would have been just the ‘bomb’ .. but it didn’t …

Fast forward to about 1992 during the Wintertime. I had broken up with that Girlfriend although we remained Friends. Her and I decided to go to a Nitty Gritty Dirt Band revival show at the Barns Of Wolftrap. The Barns was a smaller Venue just across the Dulles Toll Road from the outside Performing Arts Center.

Being a smaller indoor Venue that housed older Bands – it was a family-like atmosphere. The Groups almost always remained after shows and visited with remaining Fans in the Bar area.

That is what happened the night we were there. Fans were pulling out pictures they had taken of long ago Nitty Gritty shows. Finally, someone had pictures of the show that I sat behind the boys at. So, I jumped into the conversation with Jeff Hanna and mentioned what had happened and the Hashish remark. Jeff looked at me and smiled broadly .. and called for John McEuen to come over to where we were. He told John who I was and McEuen laughed and loudly proclaimed that he knew they’d run into me again, somewhere down the road.

And they had.

We left after about another 15 minutes and as we left – John McEuen hollered out to us – that they’d see us again, someday.

I did see ‘em again in 2005 at the Birchmere Music Hall in Alexandria, Virginia but I was by myself and had a Back injury that caused me to leave soonafter the show ended.

But you know what ? I’ll see ‘em again .. and we’ll laugh about that Hashish remark, again.

Seriously, .. we will ! We will.

LARRY CURTIS SPURLOCK

E.T.A.
John McEuen continued to play a few live gigs with Hanna and Ibby during the years that he was not a member of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
The above mentioned 1992 show was one of them.

Mr. Bojangles

Thursday June 19, 2008

************************

written by: Jerry Jeff Walker

performed by: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (and others)

Mr. Bojangles

I knew a man Bojangles and he'd dance for you
In worn out shoes
With silver hair and ragged shirt and baggy pants
The old soft shoe
He jumped so high, jumped so high
Then he lightly touched down

I met him in a cell in New Orleans I was .. down and out
He looked to me to be the eyes of age
As he spoke right out
He talked of life, talked of life .. he laughed clicked his heels and stepped

He said his name "Bojangles" and he danced a lick .. across the cell
He grabbed his pants and spread his stance
Oh he jumped so high .. and then he clicked his heels
He let go a laugh, let go a laugh
and shook back his clothes all around

Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles .. dance

He danced for those at Minstrel Shows and County Fairs
.. throughout the South
He spoke through tears of 15 years how his dog and him .. traveled about
The dog up and died, he up and died
And after 20 years he still grieves

He said I dance now at every chance in honky tonks .. for drinks and tips
But most the time I spend behind these county bars 'cause I drinks a bit’
He shook his head .. and as he shook his head
I heard someone ask him please .. please

Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles .. dance.

Why not have a listen ?

click here à http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shmzfvgqFls

5500 Years From Home

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

5500 Years From Home

In addition to the 250 plus Lyrical Pieces that I have written and received Copyright Protection from the Library Of Congress - I have, also, written a Novel (copyrighted but not Published) entitled 5500 Years From Home. I am currently working on a 2nd Book entitled The Island that I am about 1/2 the way towards completion, at this date.

I have decided to, occasionally, post excerpts from 5500 Years From Home in this Blog space.
Today, we peruse the pre-page Chapters. Enjoy !

* * * * *

5500 YEARS FROM HOME

Chapters

1. Coventry … pages 1-9 (9)

2. Parts Unknown … pages 10-15 (6)

3. Ground Zero … pages 16-22 (7)

4. Silent Encounter … pages 23-30 (8)

5. The Future … pages 31-41 (11)

6. Secret’s Out … pages 42-52 (11)

7. Emergency Jump … pages 53-60 (8)

8. Thom’s Birth Day … pages 61-70 (10)

9. Beatles’ Land … pages 71-84 (14)

10. Record Intact … pages 85-94 (10)

11. Franklin’s Bolts … pages 95-105 (11)

12. Nausets … pages 106-113 (8)

13. Vikings 14 – Chiefs 7 … pages 114-119 (6)

14. Turnaround … pages 120-124 (5)

15. Clark Repaid … pages 125-130 (6)

16. Ocean City … pages 131-141 (11)

17. Janice’s Dirge … pages 142-145 (4)

18. Front To The Past … pages 146-150 (5)

19. Going Home … pages 151- (1)

20. 5500 Years From Home … pages 152-162 (11)

LARRY CURTIS SPURLOCK

BREAKING NEWS

Boston Celtics

win

2008 NBA
Championship

131 - 92

4 games to 2

it's just another bloody day in iraq

written in early 2004

6 20 245 8

larry curtis spurlock

it’s just another bloody day in iraq

chorus

it’s just another bloody day in iraq

just another mortar fire attack

just another soldier who’s not coming back

and another one who will with his legs in a sack ..

in iraq it’s just another bloody day

saddam’s gone but there’s still hell to pay

i’m afraid it’s always going to be this way

we got to get out now the viet nam vets say

v e r s e 1

i was out shopping the other day

and i bought myself a coat and tie

then i went down to my favorite diner

and i got me a piece of apple pie

all life seemed so copasetic

crusing beneath a powder blue sky

visions of peaceful splendor

were dancing inside my head

until i turned on the radio

and the d.j. said …

repeat chorus

v e r s e 2

they’re giving away flu shots

down at my grocery store

and it looks like my mom’s retirement village

all lined up and down isle 4

but that doesn’t bother me

the beer’s on the other side of the store

happy at home in the new year

another year i ain’t dead

until i turned on the t.v.

and the newsman said . . .

repeat chorus

v e r s e 3

now that the election is over

i’ll admit that i was fooled

gays getting married - more important than human life ?

who’d have thought ; i’ll admit that i was schooled

and my heart cries out for

ken rove’s religious fools

still i’m a dreamin’ realist

and i put it in the back of my head

until i logged online

and my homepage said . . .

repeat chorus (3x .. fade)

Dear Blog

Monday June 16, 2008

Dear Blog

Well, the weekend got off to a sad start when Tim Russert passed away on Friday afternoon. Tim was NBC News’ Washington Bureau Chief and Moderator of the nationally televised Sunday morning TV show, Meet The Press. His cause of death was not, immediately known. Russert had just returned from Italy where he and his family were celebrating the recent graduation of his son, Luke from Boston College. Personally, I watched the show every week and will, truly, miss Tim Russert’s tenacity but fairness in interviewing his political guests.

Also, on Friday – I met one of my former High School graduating Classmates, a lovely (and darned intelligent) lady by the name of Dianna Meredith. Dianna works for an attorney in Herndon and has held that position for the last 11 years.

Then, on Friday night, the long awaited concert featuring Alison Krauss and (former Led Zeppelin Vocalist) Robert Plant took place at Merriweather Post Pavillion in Columbia, Maryland. From all accounts, the show was a huge success as the Bluegrass woman and Blues man sang wonderful harmonmies together .. regardless of who was leading. The duo played for two hours and even did a few Led Zeppelin penned tunes although the Rock was traded for Gospel on most of them.

On Saturday afternoon, I watched the HBO movie Final Recount. I found it to be a very interesting, behind the scenes, view of the 2000 U.S. Election for President between Al Gore and George W. Bush. I will not dissect this production, politically, at this time. I found it to be an accurate account of what, actually, happened .. and ‘it is what it is’. But there was one aspect of the film that intrigued me and that was the actor that portrayed James Baker III who was Dubya’s campaign manager. All throughout the two hour show, whenever this actor spoke (and he did a lot), I felt compelled that I knew him from somewhere .. but could never figure out just where.

Once the show ended, I Googled up whom he was and found his name to be Tom Wilkinson. He was the actor that played Ben Franklin in the recent HBO series, John Adams. I, absolutely, loved THAT presentation .. and Ben Franklin, IMHO, was one of the greatest politicians / scientists / Founding Fathers / authors / inventors / civic activists / printers / theorists / Statesmen / activists / Diplomats .. and humanitarians of all time. But that is another Blog Article for another time. Soon. I promise.

Surprise, surprise, surprise .. the no account Washington Nationals baseball team swept the Away 3-game series with Seattle Super-Sea-Mariners. The Nats are, now, 13 games below .500 and begin a 3-game series in Minnesota with the Twins.

Dale Ernhardt, Jr. won NASCAR’s Lifelock 400 at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday. It was Junior’s first win in 76 Races. Kasey Kahne finished 2^nd and Matt Kenseth finished 3^rd. Next Sunday finds NASCAR at Infineon Raceway in the Toyota/Save Mart 350 in Sacramento, California.

The 2008 NBA Finals Game 5 was won (barely) 103-98 by the L.A. Lakers. The series is now 3 games to 2 in favor of the Celtics .. and heads back to Boston for game 6 .. and 7 if needed.

Father’s Day was a wonderful day as I am able to live with (and see daily) my only child – my Daughter, Brittny. We have an excellent relationship .. and both appreciate being able to spend this portion of our lives around each other. I am very lucky !

Today’s LoCo weather forecast calls for another 90 degree day but over the next week, temperatures should remain in the mid to low 80s .. with, maybe, a few days in the 70s. But I'll believe it when I hear it has happened. For the last 12 days, the air temperatures have been between 88-98 .. and it’s only June.
Key West's high is predicted similarly but with late afternoon Thunderstorms.

My Lumbar injury has me damn near incapacitated since my most recent lightning strike. Any sudden shift in my Lumbar .. or God forbid, if any weight is placed upon my spine – the pain is so severe that tears drip from eyes, uncontrollably.

Can you believe Worker’s Compensation and Ohio Casualty Insurance company are attempting to steal away my medical benefits. BASTARDS !

Okay, thanks for dropping by this Blog, today.

I hope to see you, tomorrow, for amateur Lyricist day at this URL.

My time is, now, up .. I thank you for yours.

LARRY CURTIS SPURLOCK