MonDAVEs-The Rejects

As previously stated, the theme of this blog (if there is one) is connection. Sometimes I try to accomplish this by sharing bits of my personal life and the inner workings of my brain in the hopes that others may see a little bit of themselves in what I write. This is my small attempt at unity. If we can see ourselves in others, and vice versa, maybe we won’t feel so alone in our thoughts and feelings, thereby bringing us closer together one little piece at a time.

More often though, I just try to entertain. Bringing a smile to someone’s day is just as important to me as pretty much anything else I can do. As a result, I try to come up with different topics, and sometimes they get pretty silly. I usually try to go with something that’s got a little bit of thought behind it, but I have to go through a lot of really weird and, dare I say, stupid ideas to get to one good one.

The following is a small sample of those rejected ideas.

“Animals I Could Do Without”
-Rejected because it would probably alienate too many animal lovers.
“Euphemisms And Why They Matter”
-To be followed by a sister post on acronyms. Rejected for being too word-geeky.
“Name That Tune: The Written Version”
-Try to name this one: “Doo doo doo doo doo doo, doo doot doot’n doo doo doot doo”. Just like a full post of that. Rejected because it’s only funny one time.
“Here’s A Bunch Of Smells I Like”
-Honestly, I might still do this one.
“That Time I Drank Way Too Much And threw Up In A Stranger’s Car”
-One of my best stories, actually, but much better told than written.
“Squares. Why?”
-Rejected for being too academic.
“Everything Is 90% B.S.”
-Basically true, and quite liberating once you understand it. Rejected for potentially being a little too dark.
“Shakespeare Vs. Dickens: Whose Audiobooks Bring Better Sleep?”
-Rejected for being too difficult to research. I kept dozing off.
“Life Was Better Before The Internet”
-Rejected because I couldn’t get past the irony/dichotomy/stupidity/whatever of posting this topic ON MY BLOG. It was also kind of grouchy old man-ish. “Back in my day…”
“I’m Sick Of Outer Space”
-Rejected because it was more frustrated rant than funny piece. Plus, nobody cares.

Well, there you have it, a look into the creative process that brings you topics for MonDaves. I have a very weird noggin. Apologies. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to think up some stuff for next week. See you then!

Thinking About the New Year

Well, the Holiday Season is officially over. Another Christmas and New Year’s Eve are in the books. The decorations have all come down (well, most of them, anyway), and we’re heading into the heart of Winter. This time of year always brings me down a little bit. Partially because I love the Holidays so much and hate to see them end, but also because I am no fan of the cold, darkness, and weather conditions that Old Man Winter brings with him. Granted, this December has been unseasonably warm here in the St. Louis area, but Winter announced its arrival over the weekend and, judging from the impending forecast, intends on making up for some lost time.

I’ve often wondered why we chose January to begin the new year. I mean, obviously it had a lot to do with the harvest season and all, but it’s just interesting to me that the year begins when it does. Why now? Why not like, I don’t know, April, when things are starting to get warm and brighten up? Why doesn’t the year begin in Spring? It seems to me like it might have been better, especially 2000 plus years ago when life was extremely hard during the Winter, to finish the year during the cold period and begin fresh when nature itself does.

But then, perhaps there’s a reason why we choose to begin the New Year during these cold months. It’s a good time to stay indoors, warm ourselves with a fire, a good hearty meal, and our beverage of choice, and reflect.

We can reflect on the year that has just passed us by, both the good and the bad parts of it, from both the perspective of society at large and our from own personal feelings. What were the big successes we had this year? What could have gone better? What did we learn and, more importantly, will we ever learn?

It’s also a good time to think about the future. What concrete plans can we make for the next few months? What are our desires? What dreams can we begin to chase, and what needs to remain a dream, at least for a little while longer?

This is the proper mindset for making any “New Year’s Resolutions” that so many are fond of doing. The trouble is that most of us make a small list of resolutions half heartedly out of a feeling of obligation but we don’t take them very seriously. We may go after them for a few weeks, but then it’s right back to where we were on Dec. 31st. I think the problem is we set unrealistic goals with no real forethought of how we are going to attain them or what it would take to do so. Nor do we consider what it would actually mean to our lives if we did. Therefore we are content to make ourselves feel better for a short period of time, and then shrug it off when things don’t work out because they were “just silly resolutions” anyway.

I’ve never liked making New Year’s resolutions. I think it’s that word, “resolution”, it’s so serious and intimidating. Resolving to do something is like a promise or an oath you make to others and yourself, and it’s not something one should take lightly. Especially if you’re not going to put in the effort to make it happen. For the record, I feel the same way when a business or organization I am involved in talks about “vision casting.” I don’t like that phrase either, it makes my neck itch.

Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s good to think about the future. It’s good to make plans, to set goals. It’s good to want to become a better person. I’m just not so sure that being obliged to do so just because it’s January is the way to go about it.

However, since most people I know are doing the whole “New Year’s Resolutions” thing, I figured I’d go ahead and play along. Well, to an extent. I am not going to write a list of things I resolve to do in the next year. I am merely going to list a few things that would be nice to accomplish, and I will try and work in that direction. See? No pressure. No obligations. No itchy neck. Here we go.

-I would like to read more. I enjoy reading, both fiction and non-fiction, and I fully understand the importance of reading and how it enriches my life. I just don’t do it enough. It’s not due to any lack of availability. My entire family are readers and there are books everywhere in this house. Part of my problem is that I get distracted doing other things and don’t carve out the time to read like I ought to. The other problem is that when I am done reading an interesting book I need to live with it for awhile. With non-fiction books I tend to ruminate on what I have learned, be it a life lesson or just some neat little trivia. But with fiction books, I am usually reluctant to leave the world it has created for me and I want to stay with those characters I have grown to love just a little bit longer. As a result I don’t read very many books in a year, which is okay. Quality over quantity, right? But I do have room for more.

-I’d like to get my weight down a little bit. I have had an issue with my weight all my life and have never been what you’d call thin, but there’s a weight range I am comfortable with and I am currently not within it. Some of this is due to medications, but with a little more effort I can get closer to that place. I was actually doing a little better a few weeks back but I let myself go over the Holidays. Time to get back on track, methinks.

-I’d like to get outside more. You know, when it’s not cold. I need to go on longer walks. Get some more sun. See some more nature. Maybe travel more, schedule and COVID permitting.

-I’d like to focus more on my beliefs. That includes my faith, and social justice issues. Being a Christian and a Liberal is the hardest thing I do. But it shouldn’t be, since I believe that “Progressive Christianity” isn’t an oxymoron. If I begin putting faith into action, I think it could go from difficult to rewarding. I just need to do it one step at a time. Like this.

-I’d like to create more. Sure, I have this blog, but there’s more I could be doing. I have the desire and the ideas, I have just become complacent and, frankly, a little discouraged over the years. Maybe a little nervous too. Let’s face it though, I’m not getting any younger and even though I may be a little too old to set the world on fire, that’s not an excuse to not try. Connecting with people through entertainment is my favorite thing. That’s why I do this. I just need to do more, and maybe mix in some different stuff too.

Okay, that got a little more serious than I thought it would. There’s some good ideas there, though, and some nice goals to work towards. Okay, my neck did itch a little. Maybe it’s my shirt.

Anyway, see you next week.

Dave’s Top Ten (And Then Some) Albums Of 2021

Well here we are at the end of another year. It’s that time when all us music geeks make our annual “best of” lists. I both love and hate making these things, because it’s fun to try and rank the year’s releases and share what your favorites were, but it can also be quite a daunting task to get them into an order you’re happy with, and try to make a few tough calls as to what stays and what gets cut. There’s also the inevitable post list regret when you begin to rethink the whole thing. Then there’s also the issue of the latecomers, albums that were released late in the year that that you either weren’t able to get to or to really dig into in order to make them real contenders. Also, there’s usually one or two records that you didn’t even know existed that you will pick up in the coming months that absolutely would have been on the list if only you had known. Fellow geeks will understand.

So I’m just going to go with what makes sense to me today, and try to avoid editing the list as much as possible. As usual, live albums and compilations are ineligible, as are e.p.’s. Before I get into the main list, I’d like to talk about a few honorable mentions, and some stuff that fell through the cracks.

HONORABLE MENTIONS CATEGORY:

A few records I liked a lot but didn’t quite make the top ten (in no particular order):

The Moon And Stars: Prescriptions For Dreamers by Valerie June
This is a record about feelings-deep longings, regrets, and weary hopefulness that is nearly unclassifiable musically, but it contains elements of Soul, Americana and New Age that blends into its own thing. Not what I expected from this artist, and not an easy listen but a worthwhile one.

Nowhere Generation by Rise Agaist
I’m not usually a fan on commercial punk but I enjoy this one.

At Home With by Southern Culture On The Skids
Just a really good alternative country record. Not as raucous as past endeavors perhaps, but a good time from start to finish.

Catspaw by Matthew Sweet
I have long been a fan of Matthew Sweet’s work. Power pop based, but a little bit deeper and more personal than most in that genre. This record is not likeley to make a ton of new fans, but worth checking out for the curious, or for those who haven’t heard one of his records in a long time. Good stuff.

When You Found Me by Lucero
Lucero has been one of my favorite alt. country bands since the mid 2000s. Their work is a little bit hit or miss, with them either knocking it out of the park or turning in a near miss. This one is the latter, but still compelling enough to be worth repeated listens. It has grown on me considerably.

THE “NOT IN ON A TECHNICALITY” CATEGORY:

Every once in a while something comes out that I have no clue what to do with when it comes to the year end list. This year there are two such records. They are 9th & Walnut by Descendents, and Welcome 2 America by Prince. I will explain.

Prince, obviously, has been deceased for years so he certainly isn’t doing any new music. Yet, this was a full , completed record scheduled for release but dropped at the last minute. The songs are all previously unreleased, so while it’s not new new, it is new. Sort of.

Similarly, in the case of the Descendents record, this album is full of songs the original line up of the band never recorded for an album that never came out. Yet, they got back together during the pandemic and recorded brand new versions of the songs and released it this year. So is it new? I mean, kinda, but no.

See? It’s all confusing. So these two discs are not eligible for the top ten list because I don’t know if they count as new or not. Which is a pity, because they would both definitely be on.

Now that that’s over with, let’s go.

DAVE’S TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2021

10. You Get It All by Hayes Carll
Hayes Carll is one of the most underappreciated songwriters in the Americana world today. He is able to make you laugh and then turn around and break your heart which is exactly what Country music should do. With his wit, drawl, and classic outlaw tendencies he is one of our best. Check this out if you haven’t heard it. Quality stuff.

9. In Another World by Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick are still making records every bit as ferocious, catchy, and varied as their classic ’70’s output, and better than most of their ’80’s stuff. Okay, so it’s not high art, and it ain’t exactly poetry but it’s quality rock and roll from a classic band and that’s good enough for me.

8. 11 Past The Hour by Imelda May
After the stylistic change she underwent in 2017, I was unsure where Imelda May’s new work would land. Would she stay all grown up, soulful, and chill, or go back to her retro rockabilly roots? The answer is really neither. She has made an authentic record that has both mature pop and anthemic rock that is another step towards finding her true self as an artist. It is a journey that we listeners are lucky to be a part of.

7. Mammoth WVH by Mammoth WVH
Wolfgang Van Halen (mostly) steps out from his father’s shadow to make a very entertaining rock record. Apart from a little guest guitar work from his pop, Wolf plays all instruments himself and writes all the tracks. It sounds fresh, yet in line with many records from the ’90s and early 2000s. A solid record which shows much promise for the future.

6. I Don’t Live Here Anymore by The War On Drugs
The War On Drugs is a one man project that creates a soundscape with every record. I compare listening to TWOD with driving into an immense vista. It is both warm and comforting, but with a sense of adventure and endless possibilities. While the songs are tighter and more concise than on previous releases, that feeling is still very much intact.

5. Senjutsu by Iron Maiden
Maybe it’s just me but it seems as though Iron Maiden have transcended the heavy metal genre and become an entity all their own. While the sound is still there, the band don’t quite play with the same explosive intensity anymore, instead choosing to live in the world between dark and light, coloring their music with mood and imagination more so than power alone. This is a double disc that could have easily been trimmed into one, even without losing any songs, but it is a strong one. Admittedly I was underwhelmed when I first heard it, but it has grown on me with each listen to the point that I believe it to be among their finest work from the past 20 years.

4. Electro Melodier by Son Volt
Back to the Americana well with this one for what may be Son Volt’s best record since their original 1990s era output. It’s that good. There’s not a bad track to be had, proving that Jay Farrar deserves the credit he receives for helping start the Alternative Country movement and is still one of the best in the game.

3. Buffalo Nichols by Buffalo Nichols
Buffalo Nichols is a new blues/roots artist that takes us back to the delta in a thoroughly modern way. According to an interview I read with him recently, his goal with this record was to bring “black stories” back into the sanitized world of the blues. With his direct, visceral approach he is certainly doing that, and by brining the music back to a raw form, pushing its boundaries. One hopes this record could be a teaching moment for many, but while a lot of us will embrace the message, this will probably anger those whom it could best teach. Still, it is a powerful statement and a great record.

2. WAR by The Alarm
This one is interesting, as it was inspired by both the pandemic, and the Jan. 6th attacks on the U.S. Capitol, and released in real time. It was written, recorded, and released in just 50 days, coming out on Feb. 25th. The Alarm are a legendary Welsh rock band so this is all funneled through a U.K. perspective, and is truly the most “of its time” record to come out in years. Whether the lyrics will still resonate the same way in a few years, or even be accurate with the passage of time remains to be seen. However, it is overflowing with both heart and energy. It is also probably the closest you’ll get to a Clash record these days, at least in spirit.

1. Medicine At Midnight by Foo Fighters
This is a very divisive record among rock fans, which automatically makes it interesting. Yes, it’s a bit of a departure from what we are used to from the Foos, but it’s clearly a Dave Grohl project from minute one. Once you realize that Grohl is making his “Bowie” record it all makes sense and that gives it a really cool vibe. It may not be the artsiest record I have heard this year or even the most important. It is, however, the record I have listened to the most this year, and my enjoyment of it has only increased with each spin. That fact alone, even if by default, makes it the #1 for me this year.

So there you have it. As mentioned. there were a few records I didn’t get to this year, and there are a few more I enjoyed listening to, but I think this is a pretty good representation of the year in new music for me.

Here’s to a new year with new possibilities, and some great new music too. Happy new year, everyone! See you soon.

Wrapping Up Christmas With Trivia

Christmas will be here on just a few days, so as I wrap up the Christmas blog series for this year, let’s have a little fun and play some Christmas trivia. Some of these questions are harder than others, but there’s nothing here designed to hurt your brain. You can use these questions to quiz your family on Christmas, test your own knowledge, or scour the internet to try and prove me wrong. Which you can probably do because I am totally not double checking these answers. I’m way too busy for that. After all, there’s presents to be wrapped, carols to be sung, cookies to bake, and nog to be ignored in favor of pretty much any other drink.

Anyway, have a very Merry Christmas. Enjoy the quiz. Answers appear after the quiz.

DAVE’S BIG JOLLY CHRISTMAS QUIZ

What country is traditionally credited with starting Christmas trees?
What color Christmas will Elvis Presley be likely to have?
What is Ralphie’s little brother’s name in the movie “A Christmas Story?”
Which of Santa’s reindeer has the same name as another holiday mascot?
According to the song, what did my true love give me for the 8th day of Christmas?
What popular Christmas song was originally written for Thanksgiving (regular readers should know this one)?
What was the first company to use Santa Claus in advertising?
What was the original title of “‘Twas The Night Before Christmas”?
Christmas became a federal holiday in what year?
Who created the first electric light Christmas display?
What country is the Poinsetta native to?
What is the most popular meal for Christmas in Japan?
Which country is to blame for Eggnog?
How many candles are on an Advent wreath?
What is the best selling Christmas song of all time?
Which 3 words best describe The Grinch?
Three of Santa’s reindeer have names starting with the letter “D”. What are those names?
Who got run over by a reindeer?
What is the Dutch name for Santa Claus?
What is Frosty’s nose made out of?
How many wise men were present at Jesus’ birth?
What gets put in the stocking of a naughty child?
How many ghosts visit Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol?”
What was the name of Rudolph’s best friend (hint: he wanted to be a dentist)?
In the movie “Christmas Vacation”, how many lights were on the Griswold house?

ANSWERS TO DAVE’S BIG JOLLY CHRISTMAS QUIZ

Germany
Blue
Randy
Cupid
8 Maids A Milking
Jingle Bells
Coca Cola
“A Visit From St. Nicholas”
1870
Thomas Edison
Mexico
KFC
England
Four
White Christmas
The words are as follows, and I quote: “Stink, Stank, Stunk”
Dasher, Dancer, Donner
Grandma
Sinter Klaas
A Button
None
Coal
Four
Hermey (The Elf)
25,000

See you next week!

Yet Another Marvel Movie Review-Spider Man edition.

Well, here we are again. A special edition of MonDAVEs on Friday-so it’s Marvel Movie review time, featuring my special guest blogger, Tessa. We like to do dad/daughter movie reviews to see where a middle aged man and teenage girl agree or differ on movies we see. Tonight: Spider Man: No Way Home.

I don’t know that we can do this without spoilers but we can try. What do you think, Tessa?

Tessa: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

D: She’s a little excited.

T: Bro this movie has emotionally wrecked me. Like I feel physical pain when thinking about this movie. I finally got to see all these characters that I am emotionally attached to again! And that’s great! But what is not great is what they did to them. Who gave them the right. I said this movie will change the course of the MCU but this is not what I meant. I love the Spiderman movies so so much and I’ve been waiting for months for this movie to come out, and I’m definitely not disappointed. And I have basically nothing bad to say about this movie. I loved literally every minute of it, and I want to see it again every day for the rest of my life.

D: See? She’s a little excited.

I liked it too, but not quite that much. It’s fun seeing the Multiverse brought into play, along with all the characters that come along with it. Spider Man is, as I have mentioned before, not one of my favorite super heroes, and I do struggle with the decision to make him a teenager in the MCU. No insult intended towards the actors or anyone else involved, just not the direction I would take. All these movies start the same way which, basically is, Peter does something amazingly stupid and we spend the next 2 hours dealing with that.

T: I keep forgetting that you don’t like Spider Man. I block that out every time.

D: Well, I mean, I don’t hate Spider Man.

T: Whatever. Now is not the time to discuss this. It’s late and I want to go to bed.

D: Fair. Anyway, they do manage to make these movies smart, funny, and entertaining so no real complaints. This is probably the best of the three, with some emotional heights, as Tess mentioned, and some nice effects and action sequences. Plus, I love a good villain and this movie is chock full of ’em, which is about all I can say without getting into spoilers.

T: I know, we can’t talk about cut scenes or anything without spoilers.

D: So I guess let’s just rate it.

Tessa: 5 out of 5.
Dave: 4 out of 5.

We both recommend seeing this one, we just REALLY can’t talk about it without going all spoiler-y. So there you have it. See you next time.