It certainly is a sign of the times when, at the recent Grammy Awards night, during Sir Paul McCartney's end of show performance, the Twitter universe was abuzz asking "Who is Paul McCartney?"  To the point that this question became a trending topic on Twitter is astounding to say the least.

I mean, really?  I mean, REALLY!  Trending topic? That's as bad as kids who don't know what a record or cassette is.  And technology has or is turning the younger generation into fast, information hungry what-cha-ma-call-its. Need the info, now, fast before it's...gone.  Is this good or bad?  

Well, good or bad it's the new reality.  And I suppose for Paul McCartney, it generates a buzz for conversation and publicity.  The new economy is now this;  what is constant is "change" and it is "instant".  And if you don't keep up with it, your not in it or with it...or so I'm told.  Things were simpler in my youth.

Trying to keep up can be a full time job.  Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Linkedin, Google+, blah blah blah!  I'm drowning in social media. Now, wouldn't it be nice if someone just wrote me a handwritten letter and mailed it to me through the good old postal system?

Well, I best be updating my Facebook and Twitter status to say that I've just updated my Facebook and Twitter status...but don't ever ask me Who Paul McCartney is!  I have to draw the line somewhere.

I  was given a new vinyl record for Christmas, by RUSH.  It was their Moving Pictures Live 2011 album recorded in Cleveland as part of the Time Machine Tour.  So, I started to dig around my old record albums (still in old plastic milk crates) and reminieced.  And look what I found!

Things were simpler back then.  No cell phones, let alone smartphones.  No email.  If you wanted to send a letter you had to mail it via post.  And if you wanted to reach me, pick up the phone and call.

This picture reminds of those simpler, GOOD times.  And I'm glad to see that what goes around comes around...new bands and classic bands like Rush are releasing current albums on Vinyl.

Long live vinyl and the "sound explosion" !!!

This past summer, on a camping weekend, I went to a local stock car race track.  The locals were cheering their drivers.  The atmosphere was laid back, relaxed and fun.  The goal for the drivers was simply to win.  To win you had to be the fastest, quickest and first.  To do that, you need SPEED.

The "need for speed" takes many forms.  It's the need to belong to a group striving for a common goal.  It's the need to reach for the top.  It's the need to run through a maze called "life".  It's the need to be debt free, to own a home, to live happy.   And we all want to get there fast!  

The reality is that life sometimes (most often), gets in the way.  So, what will you do with the need for speed?  Try changing the conditions of the race so that you can win.  Whatever your goals are, map out a path that gets you there and take it one step at a time.  Don't let the race rule you, but rule the race. 

Even my dog can order something online - that's how easy technology has become.  1 Chew Toy, 1 Nylabone, 2 bags of Charlie Bear Treats, 1 Kong - Dog Clowning Around = Priceless!

Hey Dog, can I have my credit card back now?

 

It amazes me how a simple patty of ground beef can be presented in a variety of ways.  I came across this gourmet burger while on vacation.  It was advertised as an all encompassing burger that did not require any additional side dishes.  I decided to give it a try.

The garnishes were not your typical ketchup, mustard, relish. Try, chargrilled, teriyaki glazed, red cabbage slaw, smoked bacon, red pepper relish, topped with a herb salad & pickled ginger on a toasted kaiser with wasabi mayo.

Maybe it's me, but less is more.  I would have preferred a good old burger with a tomato, and sauteed onions/mushrooms.  While this "East/West Burger" as it was called, tasted pretty good, I think I'll stick to something simpler.

The East West Burger can be found at The Merchantman Pub in Charlottetown, PEI.  Bon Appetit!

 

 

Do you ever get into a situation where you know you shouldn't be in, but you are?  Such was the case recently with me.  My band was booked into a new bar, only to find, wrong crowd, wrong area...I mean, you're playing to the bar staff + some, you were not promoted by the bar, talk about motivation.  Now, we made the best of it, still had fun, still played "professionally".  The bar staff was great, it happens and it happens to the best of us. 

Yes, that's me with my friend freezing our asses off at an NFL game in December several years ago.  Sure I had fun.  Sure I "par-took" in the tailgating rituals that precede an NFL game.  Ate lots, drank some (as I was the DD) and that's OK.