Happy Days

Sushi & Mushi
Children of the 60's.
Elizabeth, New Jersey

•••

You know, you didn't need much to keep my sister and I happy back in the day. Just give us our Colorola coloring box and the latest issue of TV Guide (What the hell?), and it looks like we were pretty damn happy.

Yes, we were sweet, little coloring vidiots.

•••

Get Happy
(Buy: Judy Garland: Summer Stock [Original Soundtrack])

Happy Days
(Buy: Ted Hawkins: Love You Most of All: More Songs from Venice Beach)

Shiny Happy People
(Buy: R.E.M.: Out of Time)

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.)

I Get The Same Old Feelin’, Every Time You’re Here

The Dark Overlord and his Minion
Planning World Domination (with unseen observer).
Camp David

April, 4, 2007

Ooops! After an extended, inexcusable, lapse of anti-posting, I tried to get some new writing and music up here. Instead, I seem to have deleted the post about Marcel and his Secret Ops Weekend.

As soon as I can remember half of what I wrote here 15 days ago, and post it back up, I'll be back. I'm hoping later this evening.

But there's still the music! Ahhhh, Barry White!

Love, Mushi

•••

You're The First, The Last, My Everything
Never, Never Gonna Give You Up
Can't Get Enough Of Your Love
(Buy: Barry White: Just For You)

You Know — For The Kids!

Aunt Jean, working the hoop in her heels.
My grandfather's basement bar, Elizabeth, New Jersey
1958

My sincere, childhood thanks to Richard Knerr and Arthur "Spud" Melin — founders of WHAM-O®.

"You know — for the kids!"

•••

Lemon: Won't You Join Me For A Drink
(Buy: Ursula 1000: Ursadelica)

Dr. Rubberfunk: Bossa For The Devil
(Buy: Ursula 1000: Ursadelica)

La Naissance du Jour

Sunrise on the ferry.
January 5, 2007

"You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm." — Sidonie Gabrielle Colette

Happy Birthday to G and Suz!

•••

Sugarcubes: Birthday
(Buy: Sugarcubes: The Great Crossover Potential)

Dave Matthews: Everyday
(Buy: Dave Matthews Band: Everyday)

And I'm throwing this one in — just because it was 55 degrees this weekend. WTF?

Frank Sinatra: Summer Wind
(Buy: Sinatra Reprise: The Very Good Years)

Know Your Rights (and Vote!)

friedman and yapalater
Ohio State University
Student Senate President and Vice-President
1971

If you do nothing else today — vote!

It'll work for you (at least that's what they tell me) today, just like it did for my cousin Jeff, 35 years ago (letting his freak flag fly, baby).

•••

Talking Heads: Don't Worry About The Government
(Buy: Talking Heads: 77)

The Clash: Know Your Rights
(Buy: The Clash: Combat Rock)

Mike Watt: Against The 70's
(Buy: Mike Watt: Ball-Hog Or Tugboat?)

Tutti Nella Famiglia

The Italian Connection: My Father's Side
April 1957

In 1974-77, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, O Rei do Futebol (Pelé), came to play ball with the New York Cosmos. Not really knowing much about the game, but loving to read about and watching great atheletes, my father took us to see him play. I remember it being packed, and not knowing what I was watching (being raised on baseball), but it was exciting. Most of all, I remember the chant of 'COSMO'S! COSMO'S!' ringing so loudly through the stadium everytime they took control of the ball.

What does it have to do with a photograph of cousins and uncles and aunts I have never met? Nothing, except this...

FORZA AZZURRI will rule supreme as the 2006 World Cup Champions by days end (or I will eat my words). But mark my words, either will happen.

Lucious Jackson: Pele Merengue (Buy It!)

Dawaun Kassan Morgan (December 17, 1983 - June, 30, 2005)

Marshall Point Lighthouse, Maine
Date: Summer 1995

Not all anniversaries are celebratory events.

Dawaun was only 9 years old and living in Newark, New Jersey when I first met him. After a drive by shooting injured a friend of his, his brave, single mother, packed some suitcases and moved her family to Maine. For the next 12 years I would come to love of him like a son. As he became a teenager, and then a man, he was a rugged individualist (well, he was when he was a kid, too) who liked to do things his own way and would call when he had to, unless you called him first. I guess that's just like a son, isn't it?

He will be always missed, and never forgotten.

Winston Grennan and the Ska-Rocks Band: Savior (Buy It!)

Buon Vino fa Buon Sangue*

Philadelphia, PA
Date: Unknown

My grandfather, center, with friends and family.

*Good wine is good for the blood.

Joe Jackson: What's the Use of Gettin' Sober (When You're Gonna Get Drunk Again)? (Buy It!)
Joe Jackson: We the Cats (Shall Hep Ya) (Buy It!)