OGF

Cece and I attended the workshop at the Thistle Dew Dessert Theater last night, and Act One of my play was read to the group. I also played one selection ("Presidential Proclamation") from my iPod. The group seemed to enjoy it, and we enjoyed the friendly atmosphere. Next week, I'll be presenting Act Two, and some of the accompanying music. I may even be persuaded to sing some of the selections. We shall see.

Only Golden Fingers Could Play So Heavy

Back in 1974 I wrote a rock opera called "Only Golden Fingers Could Play So Heavy" and followed on with a play incorporating the songs. On my walk@lunch last week, I discovered the Thistle Dew Dessert Theatre and upon subsequent investigation, discovered they produce original works. I'm taking my play to their workshop tonight.

I know that it needs a lot of work, and I hope they can help me and encourage me. Who knows? This thing could actually see the light of day someday.

Walk @ Lunch

Today's route: 9th/Broadway/6th/O approx 2 miles

It's State Buildings, residential and light industrial. Some interesting things going on along the R St. corridor. SoCap Lofts is being constructed. Very modern looking.

Here's today's music for the walk

Michael Giacchino Medal Of Honor Soundtrack
downloaded from AmieStreet, of course.

It's the soundtrack music to the video game. Classical instruments, and actually nice to walk to.

• 10/26/07 12:10 Taking Out The Railgun
• 10/26/07 12:20 Attack On Fort Schmerzen
• 10/26/07 12:24 The Radar Train
• 10/26/07 12:28 Rescuing The G3 Officer
• 10/26/07 12:32 Panzer Attack
• 10/26/07 12:36 Rjuken Sabotage
• 10/26/07 12:41 The U-Boat
• 10/26/07 12:45 Merker's Salt Mine
• 10/26/07 12:49 Approaching Colditz Castle
• 10/26/07 12:52 Securing The Codebook
• 10/26/07 12:55 Nordhausen
• 10/26/07 13:00 Stopping the V2 Launch

One Down

The first casualty of the 2007-2008 TV season for my personal viewing season is in... Bionic Woman. Nothing particularly wrong with the show per se, but I found that I just wasn't getting into it. Several times I would even fall asleep while watching it. So, it's off the schedule and frees up my 9 PM Wednesday slot.

Walk @ Lunch

About a year ago, I established the habit of taking an extended walk at lunchtime during the work week. The key impetus was receiving an iPod as an anniversary gift from my wife, while the secondary, and probably should be foremost, reason was to try to become a bit fitter (I'd really like to lose about 30 lbs.)

Today's trek was short, only couple of miles, from 9th and O to P to 21st, to O and back. On the way, I stopped at the Starbucks at 16th and P and ordered a Grande Green Tea Frappucino Blended Creme. I picked up today's iTunes card Bitter:Sweet/Heaven and my receipt was targeted for a customer survey. I don't normally, but maybe I will complete it this time. My drink wasn't blended all that well; there were still a number of large chunks of ice in it.

While on my walks I often come across some interesting building or business. Today it was the Thistle dew dessert theatre. Although my wife doesn't eat dessert, we may want to check it out sometime.

Also, the aforementioned iPod was cranking out the tunes. Today's playlist:

Synthturion - Effected Artiphax

• 10/24/07 12:01 PM Manifestation_08

Jimmy Valentine - The Gate at San Juan (didn't particularly care for this one)

• 10/24/07 12:05 PM ChRoNdO MajicK VoOdOo GuiTaR sPeLL
  
• 10/24/07 12:08 PM COLD HEART MOTOR
• 10/24/07 12:17 PM Tomorrow may be too Late...
• 10/24/07 12:20 PM Another Broken Love

By The Fireside - The Great Hartford Fire

• 10/24/07 12:25 PM Her Spirit Knows
• 10/24/07 12:28 PM Moon Lake

Hollywood Lovescene - Hollywood Lovescene

• 10/24/07 12:32 PM No Ordinary Girl
• 10/24/07 12:35 PM Overrated Fantasy
• 10/24/07 12:39 PM Taught Her To Cry
• 10/24/07 12:42 PM Wont You Smile
• 10/24/07 12:46 PM Days Gone By
• 10/24/07 12:50 PM Forever and a Day
• 10/24/07 12:54 PM Are You With Me

Bombay Bicycle Club - How We Are

• 10/24/07 12:58 PM How Are You
• 10/24/07 1:02 PM Ghost

All tracks were obtained from AmieStreet

On the train

Actually, i'm testing remote blogging from the light rail train. It's a bit cumbersome to work on such a small and limited keyboard. I am impressed with its predictive dictionary, even if it thinks i'm clogging.

--
Roger D. Linder, The TR-i Fan Formerly known as RDL22
Antelope, CA
http://RoCeMaBra.com/roger
The RoCeMaBra Podcast Group http://Podcasts.RoCeMaBra.com/

Todd Rundgren Cover Story

I've been communicating with Brian Ibbott, host of the Coverville podcast, about the possibility of doing a TR Cover Story. He's agreed to do one for the 11/1/2007 show, just in advance of the special 40 Year Tribute ad that will appear in Rolling Stone's 11/15 issue (on sale 11/2). Very cool!

TV Time

Here's what I'm watching this season. Nielson, take note.

Sunday

• Fox Animated comedies (Simpsons, King of the Hill, Family Guy and American Dad) via VCR
• Desperate Housewives

Monday

• Chuck
• Heroes
• Journeyman
• Samantha Who? (via VCR)
  

Tuesday

• Cavemen
• Carpoolers
• Reaper

Wednesday

• Pushing Daisies
• Bionic Woman

Thursday

• My Name is Earl
• 30 Rock
• The Office
• Scrubs (finally back)
• Smallville (via VCR)

Friday

• Flash Gordon
• Stargate Atlantis
• (I'd be watching Odyssey 5 if I hadn't just seen the whole DVD series)

Saturday

• Torchwood

Looking forward to the return of Lost and Battlestar Galactica. When new Dr. Who is available, I'll watch that too.

Vinyl - Day 2

For me, listening to my old record collection is both rewarding and frustrating. Some time ago, I disconnected and stored the turntable, mostly due to the fact that my stereo does not have a pre-amp. Instead, I'm forced to listen through the computer, with the turntable connected to a Griffin iMic and either using Final Vinyl or Amadeus software to listen. The speaker setup is not all that great, so I'm having to use the portable computer speakers. Not a lot of Hi-Fi going on there. But, at least, it's allowing me to catch up on some older stuff that I haven't heard in years.

Today's list

• 12 in a Roe - Tommy Roe
• Robbie Robertson - Robbie Robertson

I've got too much to do to sit around at the desk all day, I'd much rather have my music portable, so in a little bit I'm going to put on the iPod and check out today's podcasts as well as some freshly downloaded music from AmieStreet.

Birds With Broken Wings: TR-i (The Rundgren-index)

Birds With Broken Wings: TR-i (The Rundgren-index)

Nice treatment of a series of Nazz cuts, interspersed with TR commentary from the Todd Rundgren Radio Show

ISSA At The Palms

ISSA, The artist formerly known as Jane Siberry, is coming to the Palms in Winters on November 28. Last time through, I couldn't convince my wife to go, since she's unfamiliar with her music. Even though it's not her cup of tea, this time we are going to go.

Last month we had to blow off our TMBG tickets due to her brother's death and visiting family. I had to satisfy myself with a live show download purchased from their site from Minneapolis.

Sleeve Notes

These old vinyl records have an interesting story to tell. The Guess Who's "Wheatfield Soul" was released in 1969 on LP as RCA LSP-4141. I remember listening to it with some friends a couple of years later and was especially drawn to the track "Friends of Mine" a 10 minute exploration very reminiscent of some of Jim Morrison's spoken word works with the Doors. I'm listening to it as I write this.

But that's not the inspiration behind this post. It's the album inner sleeve. Where you might expect information about the band, or perhaps lyrics, or even a nice picture, you get none of the above. What it is is an ad for a number of other RCA records. So if you're a fan of The Guess Who, you most likely will also enjoy:

• The Sons of the Pioneers
• Floyd Cramer
• Glenn Miller
• George Beverly Shea
• Mario Lanza
• Chet Atkins
• Hank Snow
• Van Cliburn
• Perry Como
• Al Hirt
• Jim Reeves
• Glenn Yarbrough

Or these soundtracks

• Oliver
• Pink Panther
• Cattle Call
• South Pacific

or perhaps you'll enjoy these artists on the new 8-track format

• Hello Dolly
• Belafonte
• Al Hirt
• Eddy Arnold
• Perry Como
• Glenn Miller
• Van Cliburn
• Beethoven
• Music from Million Dollar Movies

As a Guess Who fan, I need to update my collection!

Deaths

The past month has been a bit hard on me. Five people I know have died since September 21, including my wife's brother, two co-workers, a former employer and a family friend. Each day I wonder what news that day's obituaries will bring.

http://del.icio.us/rdlinder/obit

It's Vinyl!

A recent remodel required me to give up my bricks and planks record shelf which I've had for over 30 years. We replaced it with a much nicer one from IKEA. So in celebration, I'm revisiting some old vinyl.

• Mom's Apple Pie
• Mom's Apple Pie #2
• Akimbo Alogo - Kim Mitchell
• Boys and Girls - Bryan Ferry
  
• Wheatfield Soul - The Guess Who
• TRB TWO - Tom Robinson Band