Cry Baby

I've been listening to 10CC all week. I have this weird affliction (as I am sure many do) that when I listen to music from my past, I am returned there in my mind. Over the course of a single song, hundreds of memories can come back. Situations and events, however simple, that I definitely wouldn't have recalled without music being the catalyst. They (whoever they are) say that happens mostly with music, food, smells, and funnily enough, liquor. The perfect combo as I sit with a tall rum (Jamaican of course), barbecuing burgers, and listening to more 10CC.

The band 10CC is (or was) a collection of seriously talented musicians. All of whom could write, and play every instrument. Two of those were Kevin Godley and Lol Creme (yes, liong before texting and Facebook, there was a guy named Lol). After the members of 10CC went their separate ways. Godley and Creme went on to write, produce and work on many videos. Tonight's effort features their song "Cry" from 1985. The song is amazing, but what may be most interesting, is that the video features one of the first uses of "image morphing technology". What's that? Watch and learn...and have an AWESOME weekend.

It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere........Ocho Freaking Rios, Jamaica

I need to suck it up buttercup. After seven fantastic days in the Jamaican sun, we returned home to YVR at around 11:30 to 7°C and sheets of cold rain. Not great weather, considering we were still wearing shorts and flip-flops. I whined like a baby who had dropped his soother. Yes, we could have changed into more suitable attire, but that would have been a full acknowledgment that the holiday was indeed over. The saving grace for my family was that they had five more days of Spring Break vacation. I, on the other hand, manned up and went to work the next morning. Although I have tried to focus for the last few days, every once in a while, I am taken back to the beach, the sailing, the seemingly endless supply of rum, and deep inside, I yearn to go back.

Speaking of rum (and I know my rum), I must admit that it was weird to get up in the morning, scout out a spot for the day, apply the sunscreen, and then order a tall rum-based beverage. One day as I swam up to the bar to place my order (around 11:00 a.m. if memory serves correct), I joked with a woman beside me that it might be a bit early to imbibe. She responded with the quintessential "it's 5 'clock somewhere". As Arron the bartender filled my insulated mug with a seriously strong concoction of rum and who knows what else, I thought to myself....."yes, it is". And that was the only excuse that I needed.

So tonight, I raise a toast to that moment with a video by Alan Jackson (featuring a cameo by the legendary Jimmy Buffett). I'm not a big country guy, but this one gets me toe tapping every time. Enjoy, and have a strong Appleton's for me.

The Tale of Pirate Smokey Joe

No words this week. Just watch the video.........

Same as it ever was......

As I write this, my sweetie and I are taking a collective breath and toasting to a well-deserved and long awaited Spring Break. Although I have one day left of work on Monday, we are then all on hiatus - me for a week, they for two.

I stumbled upon tonight's video (literally - have you tried www.stumbleupon.com?) and was reminded that both the group and the song once reigned as my favourites. Talking Heads leader David Byrne is not only a musical genius, but maybe one of the best frontmen ever. His quirky style and jittery antics always amuse and amaze me. That, and the lyrics of this song, are well worth a listen. Hopefully you enjoy this live version "Once in a Lifetime" as much as I do.

Technology permitting, next week's episode will come to you from a far away place, where we are lucky enough to be holidaying this year. Get your dreadlocks cleaned, and we'll talk next Friday.