Sunshine

Dark cold stormy rainy days can be appealing to me. I can really enjoy snuggling up in a warm blanket next to a roaring fireplace watching a good movie as I hear the pouring rain outside my window. Somehow that brings me reminiscent sort of comfort. But after a while the cold wet whether gets very old and I long for the warmth of a sunny day.

I was born and have lived in Southern California all my life, so I am a warm weather person. I love the sunshine. I love waking up in the morning to see hints of sunlight peaking through my windows. It brings me a sense of cheer and joy. I become jubilant and feel alive with the feel of the sun on my face.

Sunshine (which is also known as sunlight) is the total frequency spectrum of electromagnetic radiation given off by the Sun (this is the wikipedia description).

One of the best times I've ever experienced is taking a leisurely drive to the neighborhood park to enjoy a relaxing picnic lunch and take in the sunshine. Sitting on the beach watching the waves crash to shore as the heat of the sun hits my body brings me a peace of mind that is like no other. I live for the sunshine.

Dictionary Definitions:

the shining of the sun; direct light of the sun.

 

brightness or radiance; cheerfulness or happiness.

 

a source of cheer or happiness.

 

the effect of the sun in lighting and heating a place.

 

Sunshine Superman by Donovan (1966)

Sunshine by Keane (2004)

Sunshine On My Shoulders by John Denver (1973)

SUNSHINE

Fun

Fun, Spongbob, Adam Sandler, Vincent Price, Cassandra Peterson, I really like the word fun. I guess it's because I feel that describes my own personality quite well. I can be a fairly deep and intense person -but overall I prefer to be the fun loving sort of type. I like being the one who casts my worries to the wind. Life is too short to not be fun. It's too short to always be serious about everything.

To me fun is about friends, it's about family, it's about love. I truly believe that having fun with those you're around is one of the most effective ways to show that you love them. It's called quality time.

Fun is also about learning and taking care of yourself. When you're intelligent and healthy you just can't help but to enjoy yourself and have some fun.

something that provides mirth or amusement: A picnic would be fun.

 

enjoyment or playfulness: She's full of fun.

What do you consider fun?
 

Do you take the time to have some fun in life? what is the last fun thing you did? 

of or pertaining to fun, especially to social fun: a fun thing to do; really a fun person.

 

whimsical; flamboyant: The fashions this year are definitely on the fun side.

 

There's quite a few fun people in this world. Fun comes in different forms and is on different levels. I think Adam Sandler is a fun person in a silly and somewhat youthful sort of way. While someone like Vincent Price or Cassandra Peterson (aka Elvira Mistress of the Dark) are fun people with a somewhat dark twist to it. On television I enjoy "The Burn Notice" because it's a clever show with some dry witty humor - which is easy to miss if you're not in tune to that sort of (between the lines) humor. to me it's a fun and interesting show.

 

Adam Sandler in Re-Do

 Vincent Price meets Batboy

 Cassandra Peterson as Elvira

 The cast of Burn Notice (Sharon Gless, Bruce Campbell, Jeffrey Donovan and Gabrielle Anwar)

B-52's - Funplex (2008) 

 Peter Murphy - Fun time (1988)

Grace Jones - Scary But Fun (1986)

Depeche Mode - Now This Is Fun (1982)

 Beach Boys - Fun, Fun, Fun (1964) The ultimate FUN song!

What does FUN mean to YOU? 

FUN 

Hinge

I have worked in the home improvement industry so of course I notice different things than most people wouldn't. Upon the first visit to a friends home the first thing I notice is their entry door. Is it made of wood, fiberglass, steel. I look at the hardware - the knob and dead bolt - my favorite are those dark oil rubbed bronze sets. The hinges - do they match the the door knob? Are they basic or decorative?

a jointed device or flexible piece on which a door, gate, shutter, lid, or other attached part turns, swings, or moves.

 

a natural anatomical joint at which motion occurs around a transverse axis, as that of the knee or a bivalve shell. 

I tend to love decorative things and am always thrilled when I see a home with decorative accessories. I love hinges with steeple tops on them - that top just seems to add an extra elegance to the overall look. I also like carved or inset patterns. The curvy vine pattern is a favorite. 

This unique set of cast iron hinges spots a nice dark antique brass looking finish. It has that steeple top finial which I just love. The pattern on the base of the hinges is a somewhat geometrical scroll.

Again there's that ever attractive steeple top. This brass hinge displays a simple yet engaging vine pattern on a darker antique background. Noted the carved detail down the spine. I have always loved the antique brass hinges.

I included this cabinet hinge in order for us to get a look at some of the different types of hinges out there. This hinge again has that antique brass finish (yeah, I guess I like that dark brass look). I especially love the scrolls and the square shape of the hinge.

that on which something is based or depends; pivotal consideration or factor.

to be dependent or contingent on, or as if on, a hinge (usually followed by on  or upon ): Everything hinges on his decision.

Have you ever been that person on which the outcome of something is heavily dependent on your performance? I've been in that situation a few times. It could be the outcome of a simple board game with friends or the effect of a presentation at work. Many times family situations hinge on the decisions of the parents.

Whether "hinge" is used in the sense of a hinge on a door or as in dependency of someone or something, the action and the object are both something which is a system of support. The hinge supports the doors and holds the door onto the frame. The outcome of that presentation or board is supported on how well or poorly the individual or group does.

HINGE

Bat

Bat is an interesting word as it can be an object, an action, an Egyptian goddess or a flying mammal. I find the flying mammal to be the most interesting.

Let's start with bat as an object. A bat is a club used in certain sports games, most predominantly in baseball. A baseball bat is generally around 33 ounces in weight. It generally has a diameter of 2 3/4 inches in it's thickest part and is usually no longer than 42 inches. The American major league regulations state that bats must follows the sizes previously listed as well as being made of solid wood. Bats which are hollowed out or filled with substances such as foam are not qualified to use in a major league game. Most wooden bats are made from ash. Other natural materials used include maple tree wood, hickory wood, and bamboo.

Barry Bonds, who has played with the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants currently holds the major league title of hitting the most home runs. He's hit 762. Hank Aaron held the title for several decades with 755 home runs.

In researching the word bat I came to find that there is a goddess named Bat in Egyptian mythology. Bat is a cow goddess depicted depicted as a human face with cow ears and horns. The name Bat may be linked to the word ba with the feminine suffix 't'. Ba means something like personality or emanation and is often translated as 'soul' . The word can also be read as 'power' or 'god'. Bat became strongly associated with the sistrum ( a musical instrument).

Finally let's touch a bit on the much loved yet feared flying mammal known as a bat. These creatures are studied and loved by millions around the world. There are about 1,100 species of bats worldwide. Most bats each insects with a bout 1/3 of them eating fruit. Bats range in size from 1 1/3 inches in length with a wings span of about 6 inches up to 14 inches long with a wingspan of near 5 feet. The forelimbs of bats are webbed and developed as wings, making them the only mammals naturally capable of true and sustained flight. Other mammals said to fly actually glide rather than fly. Bats do not flap their entire forelimbs, as birds do, but instead flap their spread out digits.

Most bats a nocturnal and are active during the night-time. They groom and hibernate or sleep during the day in various roosts such as hollows, crevices, foliage, and even human-made structures; and include "tents" that bats construct by biting leaves.Being nocturnal creatures bats can easily navigate through the dark. It is during the night-time that they do their hunting and can effortlessly sneak up on their prey. Bats seem to use their ears to locate and catch their prey.

And how about the vampire bat? . There are a few species of bats that consume blood exclusively as their diet. This type of diet is referred to as hematophagy. These species include the Common Vampire Bat, the White-winged Vampire Bat, and the Hairy-legged Vampire Bat. The Common Vampire Bat typically consumes the blood of mammals, while the Hairy-legged and White-winged feed on the blood of birds.

BAT

Carl

It's always interesting to take a look at the meaning of a commonly given name. Most names have a meaning behind them. some are noble others are ordinary objects. Today we'll look at the name/word CARL.

Carl is an old English word which originated sometime before the year 1000. It's related to the word churl, which has the same meaning as carl.

Other than the obvious definition of the word - that being a commonly given male name the following is the definition I found at dictionary.com:

[kahrl]

–noun

a. a strong, robust fellow, especially a strong manual laborer.

b. a miser; an extremely thrifty person.

2. a churl.

3. Obsolete . a bondman.

Also, carle.

Origin:
before 1000  (in compounds; see housecarl); Middle English; Old English -carl  < Old Norse karl  man; cognate with Old High German karl;  akin to churl

—Related forms

carl·ish, adjective

carl·ish·ness, noun

There aren't a whole ot of highly famous people with the name Carl although there are a few. Probably the most famous Carl is Carl Reiner. Reiner is an American actor, director, producer and writer. His first big claim to fame is the television sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show which debuted in 1961. Reiner created, directed and wrote the show as well as appearing occasionally as Alan Brady on the show.

Carl Reiner also directed the films Oh God! (1977) which starred George Burns and John Denver and The Jerk (1979) starring Steve Martin.

Reiner is also the father of famed actor/director Rob Reiner who we remember best as "Meathead" from the 1970's sitcom "All In The Family". 

 Carl and Rob Reiner

Anther well known Carl is the fictional character Carl Carlson from the animated show The Simpsons. Carl is an Icelandic-African-American, with a master's degree in nuclear physics, fond of bowling and drinking at Moe's Tavern.  Carl is often regarded as Homer's supervisor at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant but also his friend.Carl is voiced by actor/director Hank Azaria. Azaria has appeared in films such as The Birdcage and the 1998 remake of Godzilla.

CARL

LOVE

When I started this blog I told myself I would not do a topic on the word love. Well guess what I am doing a topic on the word LOVE.

In this post there won't be any dictionary definitions of the word. Instead I will talk about what love is to me.

There are so many facets in this thing called love. It contains bits and pieces of happiness, anger, joy, confusion, delight and pretty much any emotion and feeling that exists. It's something different for each person.

I've heard the saying that love means never having to say you're sorry. I've thought about that saying and I do understand the idea behind this thought, but I don't completely agree with it. In my mind love is being able to say you're sorry. Let's face it us humans just are not perfect. Along the way, in most relationships, we end up doing or saying something that hurts the other person or people. Whether it be a significant other, a family member or friend - it's a part of life we tend to hurt each other. It always take courage to step forward and acknowledge your actions and apologize. Clearing the air with that other person is important in growing with that person or group of people. It's also important in our own sense of growing up. Fortunately the turbulence of relationships, for the most part, is a small part of the big picture.

I feel fortunate to have those loved ones in my life. They mean so much to me. It's that love that powers me and keeps me running. Love is my own personal solar panel. I love my family for their support through anything and everything. We've had our moments but when it comes down to it my family is always there. My friends are great. It's my friends that keep me happy. They make me laugh. With my friends it's all about having good times and good conversation.

There is one thing I know for sure in my life is that no matter what my love can never be taken away from me. The love that is in me is there to stay. I will never let that love go. I simply love myself to much to ever let go of love. Deep with in my own circle of existence I will always love myself through and through. I don't love myself before or above any other person, spirit or being - but I do love myself.

That my friends is my LOVE

Here are a few videos on LOVE

The Beatles - Love To You

Roxy Music - Love Is The Drug (1975)

Maximo Park - Like I Love You

Bjork - All Is Full Of Love

Led Zeppelin - All My Love (1979)

LOVE

Words

What powers a blog? It's WORDS. There are other things like photos, videos, music and so forth - but it's primarily WORDS which keep a blog alive.

Today I want to pay a musical tribute to words - plain and simple words.

BeeGees - Words (1968)

Tom Tom Club - Wordy Rappinghood (1981)

The Beatles - The Word (1965)

Pink Floyd - Lost For Words (1994)

Cameo - Word Up! (1986)

Extreme - More Than Words (1991)

WORDS

Bowl

My word choice today is Bowl. I wanted to choose an everyday sort of ordinary word. A word that most of don't give any thought as to it's meaning. It's dish most of us use on a daily basis. It's also an arena which hosts sports games and concerts. There are bowls in other forms such as the bowl of a pipe, a toilet bowl. It's a hairstyle with the ever famous "bowl cut".

I like the word bowl as it has a nicely rounded sound to it. It's one of those words that makes me feel comfortable. Like I could grab a few pillows and make it my home - okay so that's going a bit off the path there - but it is a comfortable sort of word - anyhow to me it is.

Therefore BOWL you get the prize of the day... you are word of the day!

Hoorah! Hoorah! Bravo! Bravo!

According to the 2008 Guinness Book of World Records the world's largest bowl is in Malaysia. The stoneware bowl measure 3 feet tall with a diameter of 6 feet. It can hold the equivalent of 3,000 normal bowls of soup.

World's Largest Bowl

I find the Estado Azteca Stadium in Mexico City to be one of the world's most attractive bowls in the world.

Estadio Azteca Stadium

The Hollywood Bowl is one of my favorite places. I've seen several outstanding concerts there... most prominent in my memory is Tom Petty - around 1996. The Bowl seat 17,376 - so it's not the largest sports arena in the world - but is most likely the most famous.

The Hollywood Bowl opened on July 11, 1922. Conductor Alfred Hertz and the Los Angeles Philharmonic gave the first performance at The Bowl in what was the first season of music under the stars at The Hollywood Bowl. Many legendary musicians, actors, entertainers, authors, artists, politicians, speakers have appeared at The Bowl - far too many to name. 

The Beatles performed at The Bowl in 1964 and 1965. The live album The Beatles at The Hollywood Bowl commemorates these appearances. 

The 4th of July Firework Spectacular is always a star studded event with great music and an outstanding fireworks display. 

 The Hollywood Bowl 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza

The Hollywood Bowl

The Beatles Live @ The Hollywood Bowl (1965)

The Beatles At The Hollywood Bowl

How about the "Bowl Cut" any of you remember this one?

One of my favorite bowls is the Original Pollo Bowl made at El Pollo Loco

I can't go without paying a bit of homage to the ever popular toilet bowl...

Here's a few interesting and unusual bowls...

Thank You BOWL for entertaining us today! 

BOWL

Magazine

In this blog the focus on Magazine is on music. The spotlight will shine on the English post-punk band named Magazine.

In 1977 Howard Devoto (born Howard Trafford) formed Magazine, just shortly after he left Buzzcocks. The classi line-up of the group from 1978 to 1980 was Howard Devoto on lead vocals, John McGeoch - guitar, Barry Adamson - bass, Dave Formula - keyboards and John Doyle - drums. They write all their own music with the exception of the occasional cover. My particular favorite cover tune by Magazine is their rendition of Sly and the Family Stone's "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)". Magazine completely transforms this 1970 funk classic to a post-punk celebration with possible influences being Talking Heads and Brian Eno.

My biggest attraction to the group is - well for obvious reason - they're a pretty good group. I primarily enjoy Howard Devoto's unique vocals, you know it's him right off the bat. He's a quirky very unusual sort of personality and interesting the watch in his music videos.

One of my favorite songs is the 1978 song "Shot By Both Sides", Martin Jackson plays the drums with impeccable timing and puts a good sense of intense joy into what he does. Toward the middle of the song John McGeoch bursts in with an electrifying guitar solo. The entire band goes way above any musical expectations and puts in an outstanding performance on this recording. A classic in it's genre which is deserving of more appreciation on a wider sense of music history.

All four of Magazine's studio albums reached the Top 40 in the UK and one of their live albums made UK #69. In the U.S. they went virtually unnoticed with the except of fans of the genre. They made only one brief U.S. chart appearance in 1980 when their recording of "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" reached #42 on the Dance Music/Club Play singles chart.

Magazine was short lived recording only four albums between 1978-1981. Shortly afterward Howard Devoto released a solo album and then formed the group Luxuria. Most recently Howard Devoto prefromed and co-wrote several songs with Dave Formula on Formula's 2010 album "Satellite Sweetheart".

MAGAZINE