Ventilation

Earlier today, I wasn't having the best of days. Essentially, someone's mistake caused me to run some damage control.

I did get to blow off some steam at Spirit Day at our kids' school. The parents played the varsity basktball team, which was a lot of fun. Especially enjoyable was seeing our kids and their friends watch Fade Too Soon play hoops against the young-uns. My other Indian name is Back So Sore.

I also reminded myself my wife is alive and happy, and that's helped. But I still have a little steam in the whistle.

It makes sense, then, to ventilate some more with some FNFs.





Moody Blues: Ride My See Saw 1968

More Moody, from The Threshold of a Dream, circa 1969.

Winter Time

It's snowing at a decent clip, rare for these parts. I've been working from home all day, which is kinda cool. Little phone, lots of catch-up and prep.

With work behind for a few hours, let the sledding begin! First, here's what happens when garlic hummus, edamame and French wine begin to collide. Retro fusion.



This isn't very retro, but it might as well be.



This is definitely old school. Made me feel 25 when I heard it in the car yesterday. Also made our kids wonder who their Dad is.



I want a harmonica like that. - Verucha Salt

Here's some bootleg Doobie.

A Re-Read

Sometimes, when you go back and read what you've written, you realize it could be interpreted differently by others. Whoopsie. Just re-read a recent post and realized it may sound sorta unclean. Not the intention, blog friend, but the fix has been made.

Shifting gears and turning pages, it's time for tunage that should be interpreted for what it is. First, some Friday Night Haiku, in honor of the sweepers who position themselves in their cars on our long Team In Training runs.

Sweeper, sweeper, see
Me looking for no sweeping
Stay warm and watch me.

Eat More Bacon?

Gustafson (Burgess Meredith) was a hoot in Grumpy Old Men and Grumpier Old Men. He gets the FNF party started with important tips how to live past 90, if that's your goal.



Now for the tunes.



Mr. Mister's Kyrie in HD



There is joy with the beagle and the bird.

New Year Is Here

I cannot believe we've blasted through another year and decade. A year ago, Dori was continuing her recovery, getting stronger each day. We were still celebrating Vanderbilt's shocking bowl win against Boston College. A decade ago, I was in the midst of a turbulent job change, which eventually led to a much needed career move. Today, things are refreshingly calm, knock on wood.

We've had a great holiday rooted in reflection, gratefulness and optimism for our futures. Dori has emerged from a month-long bout against shingles that caused much pain and discomfort to her left arm. Hans' marrow went to work again, along with some prescriptions, and she's doing fine.

I love the humor and optimism from Eddie Murphy, aka Billy Ray Valentine in Trading Places. Eddie gets us going on Friday Night Flashbacks, which are a half day late. Merry New Year!



Here's more retro from Split Enz, Jigsaw, which broke the budget with their Sky High video, Yvonne Elliman and Gordon Lightfoot.

Jingle, Jingle

PR Pepper cranked out six miles this morning, taking me through Percy Warner Park's hills with the understandable exuberance a four-year-old pound survivor can muster. One happy dog.

Blog Friends, Friday Night Flashbacks is coming to you two days early, commercial free and hopefully getting your toes tappin' in rhthym with the bells on Santa's sled. Merry, Merry!



R.E.M.'s The End of the World As We Know It
The Woodentops' Give It Time (give it 20 seconds)
Queen's Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Dori and I saw Chrissie and The Pretenders live a few years ago. It was this good.

Who Hash

That's what's on the FNF menu. Starting with Boris and Cindy Lou.



Here's a clip from my favorite movie of George Bailey, Lover of "Garlic Eaters," versus Mr. Potter, Lover of Nothing.



Two of my favorite Christmas songs are from Mannheim Steamroller ... For any young-uns, you're about to see a turntable.

Water of Love

I finally found a version of one of my favorites by Dire Straits, but first some good stuff from the Stones, Toots and his buddies, and Genesis.





Genesis: Follow You, Follow Me

Perfection on the guitar, especially Song No. 2, Water of Love.

One-Hit Wonders

Earlier this week, VH1 ran their Top 100 One-Hit Wonders, causing Dori to boogie shamelessly in front of her startled children. Here are a few that caused the commotion.

Your Love, Outfield

The following sparked discussion about the limited pros and many cons of the mullet.



Harden My Heart, Quarterflash

And here's some fun from Boyd, Gray, Crabtree and Parks, aka The White Animals. Looks like their stuff is finally hitting You Tube. Oh me, oh my. Old people unite.

Saying Grace

Tomorrow, I'll run five miles in the Boulevard Bolt with our good friend Meredith. Then, a little rest and then some turkey and fixings at Chez Rachel with assistance from Sous Chef Anne. I'm told cornbread with pablano peppers, green beans with caramelized onions and spicy sausage stuffing are on the menu.

Flashbacks are making an appearance two days early. I hope you all enjoy your rest and join our family in giving thanks for what we have in our country, including these great American sounds.

Simple Minds

Running pain free for the first time in three weeks, I finished 5.5 miles in just over 50 minutes. What a great feeling to run with no back or leg discomfort. Tomorrow, I rise early to start my coaching duties for Team In Training. In less than an hour, it's off to the gym to co-coach Will's basketball team. Rarely a slow moment!

One of my favorite bands is Simple Minds. I've embedded a few on this blog in the past. Here are a few more good ones.



Here's a wonderful unknown song, Rivers of Ice.



All The Things She Said
Sanctify Yourself
Alive and Kicking
New Gold Dream
Theme for Great Cities

I believe I've posted this one before, but it's so good ... a blend of creativity from a YouTuber and a great song.

Friday Night Pickin'

This morning, I ran before dawn and saw a spectacular shooting star. Four-and-a-half miles later, I walked up our driveway to a pink, yello and orange sunrise. That's how you start a day.

Here's how you end one. Breaking out the guitar, or lettin' someone else do it for you.



Vintage Guitar: Dire Straits



The entire song, if you're so inclined

Paying homage to MK ...

Lady's Night

It's Dori Night, Friday Night Flashback-style. She already cut a rug to a few of these tonight during previews. Here are some favs.





Aunt Kathy, you don't know what you're missing!

And We Danced, The Hooters

Some B-52s, the most fun band ever and one of the best concerts I ever saw, circa 1983. Starting under The Strobe Light!







And one that makes both of us holler ... L'il Penny! "Hey, Tyra, you left your toothbrush at my house!" Thank you, Chris Rock.

Old School

Time for that timeless tour. FNFs ...



This YouTube comment was unnecessary, however: "i started liking 80's rock and roll and hip hop and rap cause of my grandpa."

A great 5K song ... not for the kiddies.



Sensing a theme?





And one for the kiddies ... and another for the people who mind them.

FNF Returns

After a few weeks' hiatus, it's time to relight the Friday Night Flashback candle. If for nothing else, as a sign that some order has been restored over in this neck of the Web.

In this flu season, everyone needs The Fixx and The Cure.





Related remedies:

Red Skies
Just Like Heaven
Lovesong
Saved By Zero

In the same genre from others:

Here Comes The Rain Again
How Soon Is Now?
I Send A Message
The One I Love

Happy Friday!

Date Night

Running this week has been challenging. I think it's a combination of oppressive humidity, the cumulative effect of training and a minor cold.

Tonight is Date Night for Dori and me. Tomorrow, I won't be running in 72 degree dewpoint. Sunday looks better weather-wise.

Let the weekend begin, FNF-style. As a teenager, I stayed up late to watch The Avengers, a British series with Patrick Macnee and sorta Dori-look-alike, Diana Rigg (aka Emma Peel). Cool chick, cool series and a cool tune.



Musical project, The Traveling Wilburys, produced a super album circa 1988. Tom Petty, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison and Bob Dylan ... It's pretty hard to blow that up, proof positive here and here.



In the spirit of Date Night, some offerings that should resonate - Dori tunes. Enjoy!

Timeless Stones

I have that feeling I'm fighting a bug. Not much strength, but not too weak, either. C'mon, white blood cells. With another 8.5 miles in the bag (two runs), I'm at 19.5 going into the last run tomorrow.

It's that time. My weekly escape I present to you. Friday Night Flashbacks.



Excellent rendition of a classic, before Ann Wilson went Crazy on Potato Chips and the boys in the band decided tight pants weren't so comfy.



Some zombie coolness circa 1985 from an underrated Philly band, a good one and another from the Stones, and your knight in shining armor and some shelter ...

Pass the Cheese

Notice I didn't say "cut."

I ate plenty of cheeses this week. Stilton, sharp cheddar, various mexican. Boy needs his vitamin D and good bones for runnin'.

Repetition leads me to share the following fromage. Pardonez moi ... those aren't pillows!



Cheesy song, creative pairings.



Less cheese from the Ramblin' Guy and some bluegrass legends.

Workin' Music

Happy Friday, all. With Labor Day on the horizon, seems sensible to start with a work tune, starting with red leather-clad Mike Reno and his Canadian buddies.



Great song from Duran Duran, but I've seen more crowd excitement at a healthcare townhall.



Provocative and intense R.E.M., here and below.

One-Hit Wonders

The 80s produced a bevy of shooting musical stars. Soft Cell's Tainted Love and In a Big Country are up there. So are these.





And a return visitor to FNFs ... The original and the reunion.