Name:Arthur Country:United States State:Texas Metro:Galveston Gender:Male
Interests:I collect fruit stickers and like Judge Judy. OK, really I adore Judge Judy, I even own a wig just like hers and like to wear it and demean people while adorned in a black robe. Expertise:Jack of all arts. Seems the more knowledge I accumulate the less I seem to know. Occupation:Curator of my own schock art. Industry:Art
Ike was a loss on many levels to me; property damage, friends leaving town, theatres, stores ...
My retirement funds ... Hey, who damaged the USA more; the 9/11 attacks or the fraud paper pushers?
My world standing as an American citizen ...
My friend Jimmy Carl Black. Sheesh, I received an e-mail in early November and was so out of it I did not understand JC had passed away November 1st. An original Mother of Invention yes, 'The Indian of the group.' A talented man that had a wicked sense of humor and was truly a delightful human being.
First met JC as a fan after a Grand Mothers show at the On Broadway in San Francisco circa 1982. Went backstage and had him and Don Preston sign some old Mothers' vinyl. A few year later my pal Tony Young was playing with the band Black and the Blues. Tony had to sing 2 originals a night and he picked my tune 'Junior' as one.
In 1986 living in nowhere West Texas (Christoval) I was informed that Jimmy was stopping by. I was excited, have been listening to, playing and singing Mothers tunes since the 60s. One sunny early spring afternoon Jimmy knocked on my door ... Wow! I opened the door and did my version of "I am not worthy' ... actually it was, 'Hi, I am a really big fan. Been a fans for years. Named my only mammal pet after your 200 Motels song Bertram.' Jimmy held out his hand and told me that he was a big fan of mine. Talk about gracious.
Humor, this guy had it. One night we were grilling fish, my pal Tony had his parents there ... very old school. As we started eating we were quietly aware that Tony's youngest weiner dog, Eddy was trying to mount his weiner dad - Leo. Jimmy piped in, 'Now that's what I call a father fu%&er.'
Well, I am close to recovery from Ike but my little island has some serious problems. Many of my fave places were destroyed; The ballet studio, Strand Theatre, E.T.C. Theatre, The 1894 Grand Opera House and the Jesss Tree all took on 7' of water.
Still you can see boats in such odd places; parking lots (not on trailers, next to guardrails and just hanging out on lots.
I have yet to go to the west end of the island or places like Bolivar where damage was insanely severe. Have no desire to rubberneck other peoples' horrors.
Kudos to: All those that put their lives on hold to aid others in transition and need. Tide, yes the detergent brand, did something quite amazing. After Katrina, Tide outfitted and mobilized a trucks with with washers and dryers. Like many here I lost my washer dryer to the 16' storm surge and didn't have power for 2 weeks after Ike. Anyone could bring 2 loads of laundry to the trucks and 2 days later pick up folded, clean clothes! I'd be a lifelong user minus ... Sheesh, I hate the smell of that soap.
About a dozen years ago I visited my friend Tony Young in the Texas Hill Country. I was delighted that this amazingly talented man was working in a cool studio, surrounded by gorgeous rolling hills at a facility for helping kids that have had some of the most challenging situations.
I came back and was on their first CD project but sadly did not make this one: Heart Like a Flower
Check the link for the lyrics. 'Dark Horse' was the first poem I had read years ago from these kids. A story of the day the sun went away, the day a child saw his father beat his mother to death. OVEWHELMING! My eyes teared as I read the libretto and listened to the CD and NOT due to my Dollar Store reading glasses. I am not proud of the fact that I don't cry well. Raised/trained old school has left me nearly barren in this function but I managed tears of sympathy and triumph as I took in this project. The booklet with complete libretto and artwork from the kids rivals Tony Young's musical mastery in this beautiful project.
To my knowledge: Gary and Carol Pryor started The Hill Country Youth Ranch. A good looking, talented couple lucky enough to have inherited a lot of beautiful land. They certainly could have sold half, kept a hilltop home and lived the life of permanent vacationers. Instead they took in kids that would be in foster care at best. Many come from families that make the local 'if it bleeds it leads' NEWS. No one would trade good parents and a humble home for their circumstances but the HCYR offers them a home and many great programs, the music program being one.
Flaco Jimenez again adds his master talent along with Dana Cooper, Stephen Bruton, Monte Montgomery, Chris Gage, Mike Cross, Benita Arterberry-Burns, Nico, Phil Bass, Jeff Hogan, Scott Boland, Tommy Spurlock, Keith Carper, Jodi Carpenter, Lily Hickman, Dennis Young, Leo Key, Cole El Saleh, Maggie Meek, Denny Hardy, Mike Kasberg, George Eychner, Danny Elliott, Rick Nelson and Jeremiah’s Choir – Whitney Wilson, Casey Hubble, Lillian Beaudoin, Jeff Widener and Rachel Hensley.
If a CD gift is in your future I urge you to choose this one. I also urge anyone reading this to send a link to this blog or the HCYR page: Hill Country Youth Ranch Home
Unlike W, I am not optimistic. The masses have had their lizard brains tapped and will not change unless their arms are not only twisted but ripped off to be fed to themselves.
