I DailyLove® A Mellie Mel Chill

"I'd love to be with you, and the sun will rise, the sun will rise."

Cool, blue heaven.
Penobscot Bay, Maine
July 2010

•••

As the ferry made its way across the bay, a cool ocean breeze reminded us why we should have stayed put. Thick blue haze on the horizon warned us before we touched down but, who listens to anything any more?

(The title of this post — along with the musical selections — came with me across the Bay, 'The Velvet Fog' laying down his swingin' 1968 version of 'Sunshine Superman' as only Mellie Mel could do. The super-hip vocal styling gave me a chill — like someone walking over my grave (but, in a nice, cool, friendly way) — as I tried to remember if the people I knew back then (Yes, of course I was alive WAY BACK THEN) really talked like that. They probably didn't but, I probably didn't know anybody hip to laying down that righteous jive.)

Damn, it's hotter than H-E-Double Effin' Dogs on the mainland!


•••

Sunshine Superman
(Buy: Donovan: Sunshine Superman)

Sunshine Superman
(Buy: Rickie Lee Jones: Duchess of Coolsville: An Anthology)

Sunshine Superman
(Buy: Big Jim Sullivan: Sitar Beat)

Sunshine Superman
(Buy: Enoch Light: Enoch Light's Action: It's Happening...So Let's Dance!)

Sunshine Superman
(Buy: Mel Torme: Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head)

And, just because I needed a (cooler) little bit of the Super Rainbow to get me through this 'happening', well, here it is.

Sun Lips
(Buy: Black Moth Super Rainbow: Dandelion Gum)

Am I Blue?

"The most beautiful skies as a matter of fact."

Morning Clouds
The Rock
April 18, 2008

•••

Well, yes I am. As a matter of fact, I'm sky blue!

I have no excuses (other than blue skies and beautiful weather) why I haven't written for the last 3 weeks.

So, without further ado, I owe you a picture (above) and some music (below). And, a (false) promise that I'll try to be more diligent in posting.

Enjoy everything! (And get outside! These computer screens are no good for you!)

•••

I'm Blue
(Buy: The 5,6,7,8's: Teenage Mojo Workout)

Sky Blue
(Buy: Death By Chocolate: Death By Chocolate)

Mr. Blue Sky
(Buy: Electric Light Orchestra: Out Of The Blue)

Blue Monday
(Buy: Nouvelle Vague: Bande A Part)

Little Fluffy Clouds
(Buy: The Orb: Adventures Beyond The Ultraworld)

Mr. E's Beautiful Blues
(Buy: Eels: Daisies Of The Galaxy)

And, just because I seem to have these last two songs in my head today, they're yours, also. And, yes, "Blue Skies" would have been an obvious post-up today as well, but, I just don't dig that one as much as these.

Revival
Little Martha
(Buy: The Allman Brothers Band: A Decade of Hits, 1969-1979)

Voulez Vous Le Sacre du Printemps?

The Rites (and, Wrongs) Of Spring

Spring Snow Angel
The Rock
March 28, 2008

•••

"Voulez-vous (ah-ha)
Take it now or leave it (ah-ha)
Now is all we get (ah-ha)
Nothing promised, no regrets."

•••

Voulez Vous (1979 Extended Promo)
(Buy: ABBA : Voulez Vous)

And, just a reminder.

Don't Eat The Yellow Snow
(Buy: Frank Zappa : Apostrophe ('))

Where's The Sunshine?

"What say we promenade through the yard, Mushi?" (Amazingly, this is the same little man that will do anything he can to stay out of the rain.)


Marcel Duchamp
Skin Hill, The Rock
February 2008

•••

Marcel loves the snow.

Heading out for his morning rituals, he plows through the snow — chest-deep (as well as everything else that hangs down below), head down, snorting loudly — on the trail of who knows what. Leaps and bounds, trying to get the jump on whatever he smells.

"Where's the sunshine? When is this weather going to end? Enough already!" people gripe — when we finally see them. But we won't be seeing them for a while. (It's only 4:30 — the crack of arse.) So, we enjoy the weather.

Marcel loves the snow. And, so do I.

•••

Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
Fun In The Sun
Splashin'
(Buy: Maceo Parker : Southern Exposure)

Where's The Music?

Morning Gulls
Carver's Harbor, The Rock
February 2008

•••

Hey, I found it!

(Yeah, it's been a while.)

So, here it is.

TOMORROW: Where's The Sunshine?

•••

Where's The Music?
(Buy: Medeski Martin and Wood : Let's Go Everywhere)

Sweet Little Sunset®

Somewhere On The Rock.
Sometime in the Fall.
Somehow never boring.

•••

"Load the fan brush with Van Dyke Brown. Hold the brush vertically, start at the top of each tree and pull down to add the trunks. Thin the Brown with odorless thinner and use the liner brush to add the tree branches. Highlight the trunks and branches by adding White to the Brown.

Use the 1" brush and various mixtures of Brown, Blue, Green and Crimson to underpaint the tree foliage and small bushes at the, ...."

That's right, people — just like a painting by the Master — it's all Sweet Little Sunset®'s here.

•••

Evening : The Sun Set : Twilight Time
(Buy: The Moody Blues: Days Of Future Passed)

Apparently, I've Been A Loser, Baby

Carvers Harbor
The Rock
October 18, 2007

•••

But, I think I'm finally back.

Time will tell.

•••

Loser
(Buy: Beck: Mellow Gold)

North American Scum
(Buy: LCD Soundsystem: Sound Of Silver)

Mawidge Is What Bwings Us Togewer Today

I now pronounce you rehearsal man and rehearsal wife.

Karen and Bruce
Wedding Rehearsal
The Rock
August 10, 2007

•••

On, what might possibly be, the most beautiful day (and, the day after the day shown in the picture above) this Summer, our friends Karen and Bruce are getting married. I just packed G off for a day full of pre-wedding primping, and will probably not see her again until the wedding (That is, of course, unless I have to do anymore taxiing of guests today).

It is truly a great day for, well, a White Wedding.

•••

Perfect Day
(Buy: Lou Reed: Trainspotting [Original Soundtrack])

White Wedding
(Buy: Whip: P:ear: Bridging the Distance)

The Great Intoxication
(Buy: David Byrne: Look Into The Eyeball)

•••

(You can, and should, read more about the p:ear organization, and their goal of building positive relationships with homeless and transitional youth, on their website.)

Did I Ever Tell You, You're A Zero (Or, I See Dead Drunk People)

A rogues gallery of, well, rogues.

One (Too Many) Bourbon + One (Too Many) Scotch + One (Too Many) Beer
American (and an Aussie) Idols
Making Us Proud

•••

"Hey! See that guy over there? Follow him when he gets in his truck," G says, as I watch the tall, lanky kid step into his ride. As he drives away, another truck pulls up behind him and follows him out of the parking lot. We follow them.

"That guy totally just bought alcohol for the kid in the truck behind him," G explains, "I want to see the hand-off." G is excited that she spotted this little interaction.

We are tailing the two trucks, hanging back with discreet, spy-like skill (No doubt honed from some lame "Murder She Wrote" episode, where Angela Lansbury (G) and Tom Bosley (me) pursue, at 15 miles an hour, a geriatric lawbreaker.)

The trucks pull into a dirt parking lot, only about a quarter mile from where they started (and still, mind you, in pretty public view). The "legal" (if you can call buying liquor for minors legal) buyer pulls in first, the younger "illegal" (yes, minor) pulls his truck around so that they are window to window (Because, we are transacting illegal business here, so why try to look any more indiscreet?). The elder (by only 5 years or so) hands off the package, and pulls away fast, in a flurry of gravel and dust (because, were still not drawing attention to ourselves yet). The minor, sauce in hand, pulls out slower.

"That was so cool," exclaims G.

"Yeah," I respond.

Fortunately, the night goes by without any incidents or accidents on The Rock.

But, two days later, the someone driving a truck, hits a telephone poll (Not the minor above, but a legal drinker, and, not an uncommon occurrence out here on the island), and is airlifted (by plane) off The Rock.

Two days later — while drinking in the local (only) bar on the island — we overhear somebody telling of that accident (his girlfriend, who is sitting right next to him, drinking). He is drunk.

They get home safe that night.

Three days later, a drunk somebody runs his truck into an abandoned trailer home. Plane, hospital, broken bones, and he returns to the island.

It will happen again (and, again) out here. Until somebody dies.

And then, it will happen again.

(Please, drink wisely. And don't, for phuck sake, drive! Really, I don't care if you hurt yourself, but, there are 1,200 others out here who prefer not to go down with you.)

•••

It Was A Very Good Beer
(Buy: The Simpsons: The Simpsons: Songs In The Key Of Springfield [Original Music From The Television Series])

Ballantine Beer
(Ballantine Beer Orchestra))

Beer Beer Bottla Beer
(Download: A. C. Ducey: Thurl Festival! (At WFMU: Beware the Blog)

Beer Run
(Buy: Todd Snider: Near Truths and Hotel Rooms Live [LIVE])

All for Me Grog
(Buy: Dan Zanes: Sea Music)

Alcohol
(Buy: Gogol Bordello: Super Taranta!)

I'm feeling a bit thirsty. Let's head out.

Nite Club
Friday Night, Saturday Morning
(Buy: The Specials (Featuring Rico): The Singles Collection)

Seeing double yet? Well, how about now?

Beer Barrel Polka
(Buy: The Andrews Sisters: 60th Anniversary Collection)
Beer Barrel Polka
(Buy: Roy Clark and Buck Trent: Banjo Bandits)

What's The Use Of Getting Sober (When You Gonna Get Drunk Again?)
(Buy: Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five: Louis Jordan & His Tympani Five [Original Recording Remastered])
What's The Use Of Getting Sober (When You're Gotta Get... )
(Buy: Joe Jackson: Jumpin' Jive)

Too Drunk To Fuck
(Buy: Dead Kennedys: Give Me Convenience Or Give Me Death)
Too Drunk To Fuck
(Buy: Nouvelle Vague: Nouvelle Vague)

In Heaven There Is No Beer
(Buy: Frankie Yankovic: The Best of Frankie Yankovic)
In Heaven There Is No Beer
(Buy: Brave Combo: Polkas for a Gloomy World)

Well, you don't have to go home, but, you can't stay here.

I Wish You Were A Beer
(Buy: Cycle Sluts from Hell: Cycle Sluts from Hell)

Closing Time
(Buy: Semisonic: Feeling Strangely Fine)

What Is Essential Is Invisible to the Eye

Or, It's Right In Front of You

Marcel Duchamp
Enjoying what's right in front of, and all around, him.
The Rock
July 2007

•••

I guess I'd say I've been on vacation. (Or, a total slacker.)

No, I'll say vacation.

•••

The Sea
(Buy: Morcheeba: Big Calm)

Perfect Day
(Buy: Lou Reed: Trainspotting [Original Soundtrack])

Sun Lips
(Buy: Black Moth Super Rainbow: Dandelion Gum)

Island In The Sun
(Buy: Weezer: Green Album)

Its A Sunshine Day
(Buy: The Brady Bunch: Nick at Nite: Beach Blanket Bash)

Blinded By The Light
(Buy: Bruce Springsteen With The Sessions Band: Live In Dublin)

Fuzzy Fruit Salad Daze

I don't know about the rest of 'em, but the grapes look pretty comfy.

Fruit Salad
A few days past its prime.
The Rock

•••

Yes, I know, there are children starving somewhere. I promise, I will compost this with a guilty conscience.

(And, eat the fruit faster next time.)

•••

Here Come The Fuzz
(Buy: Jon Spencer And The Elegant Too: Hot Fuzz [Original Soundtack])

Here Comes The Fuzz (With Jack White, Freeway & Nikka Costa)
(Buy: Mark Ronson: Here Comes The Fuzz)

I Love You For All Seasons
(Buy: The Fuzz: Art Laboe's Dedicated to You, Vol. 2)

Fuzzy Freaky (Mark Walk And Ruby Mix)
(Buy: The Visible Man: Luaka Bop 10th Anniversary: Zero Accidents on the Job)

Chocolate Covered Demons Atomiques!

Assalto alla Terra! (Italy), Atomische Duivels! (Belgium/Flemish), Des Monstres Attaquent la Ville! (France), Formicula! (West Germany), La Humanidad en Peligro! (Spain), O Mundo em Perigo! (Portugal), El Mundo en Peligro! (Mexico), One! (Poland), Politiet og Uhyret! (Denmark), Són Elles! (Spain/Catalan), Spindlarna! (Sweden)*, Yön Pedot! (Finland) No matter how you say it, it's killer atomic ants — in my backyard!

THEM!
The Rock
July 2007

•••

I've got 'em! Right in my backyard! The dreaded European Fire Ants (Myrmica rubra)!

How they got out to The Rock in the first place, I can only speculate. (Most likely, with the influx, and in the roots of, the also dreaded, Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) that some idiot decided would be great to grow out here.) But, G and I have been gardening around them ever since we bought our house, three years ago. I had never had any contact with them before moving here. G knew what they were right away — and what they were capable of. You see, these little (about 3/16 inch long) red fuckers defend their territory pretty agressively and sting, at first burning like hell, and then (for me at least, being apparently allergic to whatever the little red devils are stinging me with), leaving behind a pretty good size welt.

Not being one for panic and pesticides, I've not had much luck in finding a solution for our predicament (other then walking around the yard with a tea kettle pouring hot water on them), but, I am not beaten yet and, with (according to research, so far,) no redeeming natural qualities, and a potential threat to the environment (especially, mine!), they will not win.

Now, it's time to bring it on! (Or, start eating them!)

* Actually, in Sweden, Spindlarna! translates to "The Spiders!",which might might have been a bit misleading to the viewing public. Or, maybe they just chalked it up to us 'Demons Atomiques Americans'. Who knows?

•••

Ants v. The Universe
(Buy: Richard Laviolette: A Little Less Like a Rock, a Little More Like Home)

Army Ants
(Buy: Tom Waits: Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards)

Ants In The Kitchen
(Buy: Masters of Reality: Sunrise On The Sufferbus)

Antmusic
Beat My Guest
(Buy: Adam and the Ants: Very Best of Adam and the Ants)

Baby's On Fire
(Buy: Brian Eno: Here Come The Warm Jets)

Water Your Garden
(Buy: Lucious Jackson: Fever In Fever Out)

· · · — — — · · · Same Old Shite (Or, iPick-A-Little, iTalk-A-Little Less)

"Yes, I'm just rowing up to the dock (in my floppy 'I'm on vacation, and I don't care how stupid I look on a cell phone rowing a boat' hat on) now. Where are you? Oh, yeah, I can see you from here."

Nauti-call Lymie
Rockland Harbor
June 29, 2007

•••

I'm not sure if you've heard anything about this yet but, apparently, Apple has come out with some type of new 'phone' thingie, and people (which so far includes, the media, anybody owning stocks in Apple, and maybe that tool in the picture above, although my guess would be that he is PC all the way) are pretty darn giddy.

So, here's the deals, as I think I understand them. The iPhone itself, is only about $500. to $600. depending on how much money you have, and how much memory you require. (But, orders are limited to two per customer, so please, don't get greedy!)

You'll also be required to sign up for a two-year AT&T service agreement and an activation fee (and are subject to AT&T credit approval). The minimum plan prices out at $59.99 per month (or, $1,439.76 over the two-year required contract), not including any service charges (and, being AT&T, you know there will be plenty), which will only 450 minutes (which is only 7.5 hours. But who talks more than that on the phone in a month?) of talk time a month.

Intrigued yet?

Well, if you're coming out to The Rock, don't be — because your iPhone (or, cellphone for that matter) won't work here. (That would be another one of those great things about living out on The Rock.)

•••

Connection
(Buy: Elastica: Elastica)

Telephone Line
(Buy: Electric Light Orchestra: A New World Record)

Call Me
(Buy: Nancy Wilson: Cocktail Mix, Vol. 2: Martini Madness)

The Call Up
(Buy: The Clash: Clash On Broadway [Disc 3])

Pick-A-Little, Talk-A-Little
(Buy: Hermione Gingold & The Biddys: The Music Man [Original Soundtrack])

Isle au, Hey, Haut

Life like an Eric Hopkins painting.

Isle au Haut
On top of some rocky hill.
June 10, 2007

•••

About ten of us took a glorious trip out to the beautiful island of Isle au Haut (Pronounced AISLE-a-hoe — not EEL-a-hoe, not EEL-a-who, just AISLE-a-hoe — and if you say it any other way, you're saying it wrong!) yesterday. You could not have asked for nicer weather, which made for an even nicer day. Hiking, picnic, and, in the end (of a I don't know how far a hike), everyone was laden with plastic bottles, bouys, and miscellaneous flotsam and jetsam which we dumped into the back of a (fortunately parked) park ranger truck at the end of our trip.

Two of the Best Quotes of the Day:
When one of the two 5th graders who came on the hike with us, picked up a L-shaped piece of driftwood, held it under his arm like a machine gun, and said,

"Say 'Hello' to my little friend!"

(It is unclear, if he has actually ever seen 'Scarface', or just picked up on which is now, a classic line. Either way, his father was thoroughly teased about it.)

The same child, a mile or two later, was walking with myself, another adult, and a classmate of his, when they were noticing some of the bigger tree roots crossing the path. His friend made a comment, which I missed, when 'Lil' Scarface' said,

"If you don't keep moving, you'll root like those trees."

True enough, brother. Keep it moving.

(Eric Hopkins beautiful island paintings can be seen in just about every house on The Rock. For many, who have known him for years, they got his work quite inexpensively when he was just starting out. For others (summer folk), they paid for it well, as his work became a symbol of their connectedness to the islands. For the late-comers, who still love his work, but can't afford it any more, there are posters and prints, or the wonderful selection of packages of organic soils and fertilizers from Coast of Maine Organic Products, Inc.)

•••

In The Garden Of Earthly Delights
(Buy: Combustible Edison: The Impossible World)

Mr E's Beautiful Blues
(Buy: Eels (pronounced EELS, not AISLES): Road Trip Soundtrack)

Mr. Blue Sky
(Buy: Electric Light Orchestra: Out Of The Blue)

Rock The Boat
(Buy: Hues Corporation: Soul Hits of the 70s: Didn't It Blow Your Mind)

Say It Loud, Say It Proud! It's Here, Tain't Beer (Or, Twisted Tea, Unbelievably), Git You'st To It!

Although, I believe, Twisted Tea cans are still No. 1 in the preferred 'Roadside Trash of The Rock.' (As personally evidenced by the two dozen flattened cans I have picked up from this past seasons walk-abouts.)

The Fisherman's Friend
The Rock, Maine
April 2007

Some things just make you proud to be an American (Mainer). And some just make you cringe. This little bit of news, apparently almost as important as any other pressing global topics of the day, makes me do a little of both.

"When it comes to spirits, coffee brandy remains Mainers' libation of choice.
State sales figures for last year show that Allen's Coffee Flavored Brandy remains by far the top-selling brand of liquor in the state, just as it's been every year for more than a decade. Nearly 994,000 bottles worth $11.9 million were sold in four different bottle sizes in Maine in 2006.

Allen's is so popular that its different bottle sizes rank first, second, sixth and ninth on the Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations list of the top 25 alcoholic items sold last year. Allen's is the only brand that appears more than once in the top 10.

Coffee-flavored brandy is something of a New England specialty and is not well-known outside the region. Allen's is made by family-owned M.S. Walker Inc. of Somerville, Mass. (On who's site, you'd be hard pressed to find ANY mention of they're No. 1 seller in Maine, because they only deal with "Fine Wines & Spirits Since 1933.")

The dark-colored liquor that's been called "the champagne of Maine," while immensely popular, is also associated with the state's substance abuse troubles. (Really? Alcohol and substance abuse? Trouble?)

A decade ago, state Superior Court Judge Robert Crowley was quoted as saying the brand "is very prevalent in the criminals who come before me. I don't know whether brandy is more bang for your buck but it runs the gamut.

"I see it in bar fights, domestic assaults, drunk driving, and worse crimes."
— Associated Press, via MaineToday.

With the predicted price of bait (Which, apparently, Allen's Coffee Flavored Brandy was once used to store. Although, highly unlikely.) and gas this year — and some of the lobstermen already forecasting the leanest lobster season in years — my guess is that we're in for another record-breaker next year! (And, maybe a few more "bar fights, domestic assaults, drunk driving, and worse crimes.")

One more cup of coffee (flavored brandy) for the road?

•••

(Sorry, couldn't locate any songs regaling (or even mentioning) Allen's Coffee Flavored Brandy — yet!)

Java Jive
(Buy: The Ink Spots: The Ink Spots [Decca])

The Coffee Song
(Buy: Frank Sinatra: Ring-A-Ding Ding!)

If You've Got the Money (I've Got the Time)
(Buy: Merle Haggard: Roots: Volume 1)

North American Scum
(Buy: LCD Soundsystem: The Sound Of Silver)

Lymie, Am I Ticked!

Welcome to the Thunderdome (Photograph from a local cable program on Ixodes scapularis)

Blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis)
Many enter. Few survive.
July 2006

I took Marcel to the vet the other day (for a pulled muscle in his neck which, after a week of doggie-profens and some mellow-down time, is doing much better — thank you for asking) — and after a routine check-up — the doctor asked if Marcel had had his Lyme Disease vaccinations yet.

"Lyme Disease?" I says, "We live out on The Rock, I didn't think we had that problem out there."

"It started to show up last year," she replied.

"Really? How did that happen?" I ask, now a little ooked out by the whole scenario of the upcoming warm weather and outdoor activities.

"The tourists brought them with them," chimes in the doctors assistant.

"Tourists!" I say, through clenched teeth (in a manner that can only be described as the worst imitation of somebody trying to sound like Jerry Seinfeld saying, "Newman!").

"Tourists," she repeats.

Damn you (as I will now refer to them), Lymies!

•••

Hell On Earth
(Buy: Deer Tick: War Elephant (When the album drops, in May.)


(Until then, check out Deer Tick on myspace, and get your pets their shots!)

A Breath Of Fresh Colours

Coombs Neck
The Rock
March 2006

•••

Colours
Breathe
(Buy: The Cinematic Orchestra: Breathe)

The Rock Island Dog

Marcel Duchamp
The Rock
March 5, 2006

What else do I have to say?

•••

We're Going To Be Friends
(Buy: The White Stripes: White Blood Cells)

Burn, Baby, Burn

Photograph © Rich Entel

A boy, his dog, and a big, blazing bonfire.
Town Dump, The Rock
March 2006

Ahhhh, fire. The cold has returned with some kind of purpose. While walking Marcel this morning, my hair froze solid.

So, sitting in my warm kitchen, drinking coffee and doing work from home today — I'm just thinking about the warm weather — and fire.

(Oh, yeah, and the Town Dump? A great place to find everything I don't need to drag home — where I don't need it. Ask G, she'll tell you.)

•••

Ring of Fire
(Buy: Johnny Cash: Love & A .45: Original Soundtrack)

Fire
(Buy: Jimi Hendrix: Voodoo Child: The Jimi Hendrix Collection)

Burnin'
(Buy: Jersey Street Allstars: Disco Pogo For Punks In Pumps Vol. 13)

Disco Inferno
(Buy: The Trammps: Saturday Night Fever)

The Heavens Open Up To Cover The Rock With A Beautiful White Blanket Of Snow (And Kick The Arse of Wall Street)

Photograph © Alex Kraus/Bloomberg News

Tao Jones'n
Wall Street
February 28, 2007

An old, miserable guy goes down to the banks of the river. He raises his arms to the heavens. He beseeches the angels. He calls on them to make things better for him. They show up, but their mood is ugly. They tell him he has a scrawny neck, that they're tired of guys like him. When he complains, they knock him down. They beat him with their thick fists. They roll him into the river. They walk off stolidly through the mists, not saying anything, breathing hard. Under their robes their shoulders are big and violent, under the great horns of their wings.

Angels, from A Man Jumps Out of an Airplane by Barry Yourgrau.


(Oh, and Wall Street, if you're reading this — Get a friggin grip!)

•••

Angels
(Buy: Robbie Williams: Life Thru A Lens)

He Needs Me
(Buy: Harry Nilsson & Shelley Duvall: Punch-Drunk Love Original Soundtrack)

Thank You For Sending Me An Angel
(Buy: Talking Heads: More Songs About Buildings and Food)

Shambala
(Buy: Three Dog Night: The Complete Hit Singles)