It's not an "Electronic Diary"; it's a BLOG!!

Gip's Juke Joint, Bessemer, AL

"Mr. Gip"

The Lee Baby Sims Show at Gip's



Food Shack at Gip's

Text to follow.

I really, really want to crush my camera with a rock.

RIP Dan Seals

Another unwanted detail about me: I'm a sucker for songs about the rodeo.

This is by Dan Seals, who passed away this week.

Another detail, an acquaintance of mine from Cullman toured with Dan Seals for about 15 years as his guitarist/harmony vocalist.



Don't judge me.

Rose Hill Cemetary, Macon Georgia

Rose Hill is a very old, very interesting place that figures prominently in music history. It is a place where the Allman Brothers Band drew inspiration for many of their great songs, and serves as final resting place for two of the band's founders; Duane Allman and Berry Oakley.I used to visit Macon routinely for work and always enjoyed myself. Leanna and I went last spring, arrived in town just before sunset and went directly to this cemetary to take some photos. Unfortunately, the keepers decided to lock the gates with us (and our car) inside. We escaped, but it took some brute strength and ingenuity.(NOTE: CLOSES AT SUNDOWN)

This is the tombstone that inspired the song "Little Martha", a lovely instrumental. It is the grave of Martha Ellis, who died very young, and has the text "Our Little Martha" on the base.




The gravestone that inspired "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" (Elizabeth Reed Napier) is also here somewhere.

Meet The Readers: Part 3

"Karen" is the ridiculously charming, lovely and personable wife of one of my oldest friends. It is inexcusable that I don't have a better source photo of her.




She enjoys: Bad acoustic singers, darts, dancing, the odd Martini and being surrounded by idiots. (see photo)

She dislikes: Another of our readers. (who got frosting on her at my birthday party)

Gift Idea (XL-XXL)

In the course of my research into Mississippi destinations, I located this little jewel. Tt's a "Cat Head" Delta Blues and Folk Art T-Shirt. Great graphics front and back. If it was an easier transaction,(read:PayPal)I'd already have one on the way.

I think I prefer the white. I don't know if I want to be snugged up in an XL or billowy in an XXL.

My birthday is in August-email if you need my mailing address.

I love you guys.

Brush With Greatness: Chris Farlowe

We met English Pop/Soul legend Chris Farlowe on a night train returning to London Waterloo Station from seeing Van Morrison at the 2004 Hampton Court Festival.

He was a very interesting, gregarious guy, not at all put off by the fact that we had never heard of him. We recognized him only as the singer who had warmed up the crowd with Van's band.

He was the first artist to have a hit with the classic "Handbags And Gladrags", and posseses a big, legendary voice. A little online research shows that he is all over British music history. In fact, if you believe the internet, Paul McCartney offered him an early version of "Yesterday" which Mr. Farlowe declined to record.




This is what he looked like when we met him, complete with the garish shirt.







This is the Stereophonics version of "Handbags And Gladrags". It's the best recording available, and the 3rd time it has been a hit after Chris Farlowe then Rod Stewart versions. Also, this was the version used as the theme song for the UK version of The Office TV series

(I don't know if it's cool to like the Stereophonics, I'm not really familiar with them but they seem a little bit pretty and intense here)

Road Trip Planning: Oxford-Clarksdale Mississippi

I'm veering from my regular routine of obsessing over our semi-distant trip to Taos this summer to start planning a long weekend in Mississippi.

I've always wanted to visit Oxford, MS, which is notable for The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), William Faulkner, The Grove on campus, great Restaurants/Bars, and the prettiest girls in the SEC. We'll just have to see about that.

Secondly, I love to photograph nature, rural scenes and run-down crap (have you seen my work?) and I love music which sends us on to Clarksdale in the heart of the Mississippi Delta. I hope to go in the fall when the cotton is in full boll and being harvested. It will take a little coordination to get all that on a weekend when Ole Miss is playing an away game so we can find a room in Oxford, though I would like to see the legendary pre-game tailgating in The Grove.

Back to Clarksdale, though. I'd like to stay at the place described here: http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid271552680/bctid1350269410

In fact, I sort of envy this guy. It looks like he's made a pretty cool life for himself.

London 2004

Here I am standing in front of the historic "Royal Albert Hall" In London. Our hotel was just a block away im Kensington. I took several shots there.
Also, I'm pretty sre I still have that shirt.


This was another "Photo Op" I couldn't pass up. It's the Abbey Road streetsign just opposite the Recording Studio right at the end of the famous crosswalk (Zebra Crossing) where the famous Album Cover was photographed. We tried to recreate that scene with our friends with disappointing results. The original was taken by a photographer perched on a 8FT ladder in the middle of the street.

Sean Penn can act...

I haven't seen Milk, the film Sean Penn won the Academy Award for this year, but he gave an amazing performance in The Assassination Of Richard Nixon.

It's based on true events and is absolutely staggering. It chronicles a desparate loser's life spiralling to inevitable disaster. It's heartbreakingly sad, but you can't help but feel for the guy even though he is completely misguided.

Don't watch if you're off your meds or battling depression. It took me three sittings to get through it.

Joshua Tree National Park, California

These are a couple of photographs I took at Joshua Tree in 2004. It is a truly beautiful place, a high desert landscape unlike anywhere else I've ever been.

The "Joshua Tree" is not a tree at all, but a plant related to the Yucca. Legend has it they got their name from Mormon Settlers crossing the Utah desert who thought they resembled the Prophet Joshua raising his arms to guide them.


This is a natural formation called "Skull Rock" for obvious reasons.

Pattie Boyd Harrison: British Model/Actress

Who: Pattie Boyd Harrison(Clapton)

Notable For: Inspiring two of the greatest songs in the history of recorded music: Something (in the way she moves) by George Harrison, Recorded by the Beatles and Layla by Eric Clapton, Recorded by Derek and the Dominos.

She was also the subject of the song Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton, but it qualifies as near-great at best.

Pattie was also my imaginary girlfriend at one point, i'm not sure when.

Pole?? Smoked!!!

I'm back from the dizzying heights of "Pole Climbing School" and fully qualified to break my neck in ways I never imagined previously.

It turns out there wasn't much to it. The biggest adventure was the travel to and from Indianapolis in a March snowstorm.

Leannaicon

I found this fun little toy that allows you to create Obama "Hope" style posters with your own photos and text. Some minds more clever than mine have already created some pretty funny ones.
Search "Obamicon" to create your own.



Of course, this could be dangerous.

My Humble Little Snow-Covered Mud Hut

We had a fairly decent snowfall Sunday Morning. Here you see my beloved "Turdmen" huddled together for warmth.

I would have enjoyed the snow day had I not spent most of it in a dinky Commercial Airliner waiting on the tarmac for de-icing, then missing my connection to Indianapolis.

Average Looking Chicks Dig Me....