Monkeying Around...

Back when I was in high School, one of the local radio stations (probably WDVE, but maybe WYDD) did a contest on the weekends. Listeners would send in set-lists, of 3 songs that went together well. They’d pick one, play it on the air, and the winner would get an album. I won once, with some southern rock set, and got The Outlaws' Hurry Sundown as a prize (early 1977)… Years later, when I lived in Washing DC area, the local “community radio” station (WHFS) would occasionally play great sets, like a group of songs by “all girl acapella groups from the 60’s” or various remakes of " I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”….

Anyway, I always though this was a cool, fun concept. I’m not really set up to post music here (especially copyrighted music!), but thought it would be interesting to (occasionally) post proposed song lists. Three or Four tunes that are linked in some manner, taken from my collection of stuff. Feel free to add you own suggestions in the comments. Let’s start with Monkeys (not to be confused with Monkees), and immediately overshoot the rules with 5 songs:

Everybody’s Got Something to Hide Except For Me and My Monkey – the Beatles
(Siamese Twins) The Monkey and Me – The Knack
Monkey On My Back - Aerosmith
Shock the Monkey – Peter Gabriel
Space Monkey - Patti Smith

World's Largest Catsup Bottle

One of the landmarks of nearby Collinsville, IL, it's the World's Largest Catsup Bottle!! Check out the links at their site, it has a bunch of fun stuff, including the World's Largest Roadside Attractions site.... Find out what's near you!

Wind on the water…

Reflections of trees on the lake...

Choice Motel?

The Cardinal Inn, aka the Choice Motel, in Highland Illinois. This little spot was my first “home” when I moved to Illinois in 1989, and it hasn’t changed a lick in 16+ years. Imagine my joy at arriving here after driving 850 miles from Washington, DC. I only stayed here 3 nights before moving to a Days Inn in Glen Carbon, nearer the house we were buying. I lived in that place 2 months, till the townhouse in DC sold, and the family headed out. The Days Inn was ever-so-slightly nicer than the Cardinal Inn, but was torn down better than a decade ago. Meanwhile, this place soldiers on…. . .

Never Mind....

It seems the surviving members of the Sex Pistols won't be digging out the black ties and tails, after all. Johnny Rotten and the lads will be following Sid Vicious's example, and staying put, "politely" declining the invitation to their Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame induction. Give 'em full points for style. I was kinda looking forward to Johnny Rotton singing "Sweet Home Alabama" in the jam session.....

Crystal Gothic

My neice Beth took this photo in of the PPG Towers in Pittsburgh. Pretty cool shot!!! WTG Beth!!

Give A Little Whistle (revisited)

The announced the January Finalists over at BetterPhoto.com, and I managed one. This was a repost from late December… It’ll be interesting to see if it does anything in the subsequent judging. .

Tangled Up In Blue

Music theme day at the Yahoo Group, today was “Bob Dylan”. I wanted to do “Buckets Of Rain”, but I couldn’t find the time to make it work. So I reworked this shot from 2 years ago….

NASCAR!!!

Happy Daytona 500 day, everybody!! Yep, they'll be firing up the engines in a couple of minutes and racing around in circles for the next few hours. As a long time race fan, I can only say YEE HAW!! Nascar is kinda funny in that they put their biggest event (the Daytona 500) at the START of the season! My yahoo-fantasy racing team for this week: Jeff Gordon, Dale Jr., Jeff Burton and Kyle Petty....

Al's Barner & Golf Shop

On the corner of the main square in Highland, Illinois, and just down from the post office (the big brick wall in the background) is Al's Barber and Golf Shop. Seems like a logical combination, doesn't it?? Of course, in 15+ years living in the area, I've never been into this (presumably) fine establishment. . .

OO Ah Ooo Ah Ooo Ah Ooo......

On this date (2/18) back in 1987, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Livin' on a Prayer," Bon Jovi. My (not quite 6 year old) son loves this song, and plays a mean air guitar.....

St. Jacob, Illinois

When I take the "back roads" home, it's a straight shot across Rt 40, at least as far as Troy. St. Jacob is probably 1/2 way between Highland and Troy... This shot is looking southeast.

I've always liked the "Funk's Hybrid" sign on the side of this old grain facility. It makes me think of some new (or old) style of music... Perhaps Sly Stone meets David Johansen?? "Funky funky but Chic" indeed!

I Went Away For A While, But I'm Back Now.....

Well, sort of back.... I was finally getting over a nasty respiratory virus, when my work computer managed to catch a virus of it's own. I was too distraught to post the last 2 nights. So, I just got it back from our comapny computer guys, they had to wipe it all clean and start over. It'll take a while to dig through all my backup disks, and get repopulated, and I'll have to reload my photo software.... if I can find the disk! Oh well, that's life, I suppose. I'll try and post a photo from home tonight.

She Came From Planet Claire.....

On this day (2/14) in 1977, the B-52s give their debut performance at a Valentine's Day party in Athens, Ga. It was spring of '79 when I discovered these guys, when I was helping my older brother pack-out from completing his college career. Riding in a Mazda-GLC from Richmond VA to Pittsburgh PA may not be the best environment to first experience the B-52s....

Blackbirds Fly.....

We get huge flocks of starlings around here, they fill the sky in a steady stream around this time of year. The other day a billion or so landed in the field behind our house, and a snapped this shot when a couple dozen were circling through my trees. I was hoping to catch them when they all took off, but they headed away from the house, and didn’t present themselves. . .