brent evans

morning babble / Friday 11-25-22

This is the scribble that leads to the babble. Sometimes, it gets tidied up; but other times, not so much. When all else fails: watch the video!

I ran – yesterday – before the turkey. Not today. Too much Angel’s Envy American Whiskey yesterday. Little slow this morning. I did write yesterday . . . prior to the Turkey which was so smart. Got home and it was straight to bed.

37 days until EXIT PLAN

New Music Friday:

I put together a Spotify playlist of the songs that I talked about and thought about today for New Music Friday. Click here for that!

• New Taylor Swift? Well, sort of – today via the streaming services, you can hear the acoustic version of “Anti-Hero”. It was available a couple weeks ago for purchase from her website along with a couple other “Anti-Hero” versions. The acoustic one is what I’ve heard and it’s very well done, because she’s talented. I don’t think there’s an entire acoustic album coming out, but I wouldn’t put it past her. Give it a couple hours and check back.

• New Soup Dragons? Not really. Old stuff that has been dug up and labeled as The Soup Dragons – Raw TV Products – Singles & Rarities 1985-88. The Soup Dragons earliest recordings and BBC sessions remastered by frontman Sean Dickson. Now, HiFi Sean – that’s what he goes by, I’m still wondering why Hydrophonic, which is the fourth and final studio album from The Soup Dragons, is MIA from the streaming services. I have the CD somewhere in a Rubbermaid bin that’s stacked away in the storage area, but I want it on Spotify or Apple Music. I did find the song that I liked from that album which is called “All Messed Up.” (play clip) At the beginning of the babble, I played a clip of their song “Everlasting” from the Hotwired album. Everybody knows “I’m Free” and I’m a fan, too. Just wanted to introduce some of the other sounds of The Soup Dragons.

• Machine Gun Kelly is rapping again on his latest single, “Taurus.” This past Wednesday he premiered the new video for the song. (Play clip) By the way, this is the title track of his latest semi-autobiographical film of the same name – Taurus, which you can see via YouTube Movies, Apple TV, and On-Demand. MGK plays Cole Taurus, a troubled rock star searching for inspiration to record his next big song while battling drug addiction and fame. The film also co-stars his girlfriend, actress Megan Fox.

• Red Hot Chili Peppers released two new double LPs this past year – not enough? Well, the band has released “The Shape I’m Takin'” which isn’t actually an entirely new song; it was previously a bonus track exclusive to the Japanese edition of October’s 2nd album of the year Return of the Dream Canteen. Today, we can listen and enjoy that tune.

• It’s the weekend – people like to get out and dance. Actually, a whole lot of class reunions are going on this weekend. Not mine. Others and good luck to you all. Anyway, several months ago (like August), I talked about the song “PDA” from Franky. Today, she released along with Jack Wins “Have It All”. (play clip) I’d show you how I’d dance to it, but I look forward to gaining followers, not losing them.

• HOLIDAY MUSIC – This was released a year ago, but I think deserves more attention – Jamie Cullum’s The Pianoman at Christmas (The Complete Edition) is perfect for this upcoming winter holiday – 30 songs / 1 hour and 45 minutes of holiday tunage – add some jazzy sounds to your holidays.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Make sure you stay in touch with beauty instead of letting the ugliness of the world corrupt your soul” by John Frusciante

morning babble / Wednesday 11-23-22

This is the scribble that leads to the babble. Sometimes, it gets tidied up; but other times, not so much. When all else fails: watch the video!

It’s Thanksgiving Eve!

39 days until EXIT PLAN

Welcome to AMA Wednesday –

Via someone – “What do you sleep in?” A bed.

Via someone – “Do you read any novels?” Via an Instagram post from wildethingz, she described this book as being perfect. “The characters are perfect; the story is perfect; and the book as a whole seems to have a life of its own.” She said that she can’t stop thinking about it.

Unveiling of the BLUE Christmas Tree

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“It is a great happiness to have what you desire; but it is an even greater happiness not to want more than you already have.” – by Menedemus

morning babble / Tuesday 11-22-22

This is the scribble that leads to the babble. Sometimes, it gets tidied up; but other times, not so much. When all else fails: watch the video!

It’s amazing how a good night’s sleep can wash away the angst of yesterday. At the end of my day, I was all out of nice. Nothing good to say. I kept it quiet, because otherwise it would have flowed out. And that’s not good either. Sometimes you need to get it out, but sometimes you need to learn to let it roll away on its own.

40 days until EXIT PLAN

PODCAST TUESDAY!

25 years ago today – we lost Michael Hutchence from INXS

“Not Enough Time”

To help mark the 25th year of the passing of Michael Hutchence, join the INXS Access All Areas Podcast Team and INXS Fans around the World, download the song “Not Enough Time” on the same day. Trying to get it back onto the music charts.

The Dave Chang Show – almost all caught up. I wanted to run so bad today

Tomorrow – Thanksgiving Eve

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Distraction steals what’s not locked down” – by Derek Sivers

morning babble / Monday 11-21-22

This is the scribble that leads to the babble. Sometimes, it gets tidied up; but other times, not so much. When all else fails: watch the video!

Happy Monday – Short Week – Think that’s what makes this one of everyone’s favorite holidays. It messes up the workweek. Only 3 days. Yes!

41 days until EXIT PLAN

GOAL SETTING MONDAY & REVIEW –

My daughter had a goal for a family and that was to try having an outing every weekend – to get out or simply outside. Talking to her, you’d think we never did anything. Once she runs out of time on that iPad though . . . we better be doing something.

Anyway – this weekend as a family – we did get out –

Van Gogh immersive experience at the Tower Theatre in Upper Darby – just outside Philly

Vincent Van Gogh

Skull of a Skeleton with Burning Cigarette (1885-86)

My daughter’s family goal of weekend adventures

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“If you hear a voice within you saying, “You are not a painter,” then by all means paint, boy, and that voice will be silenced.” – by Vincent Van Gogh

morning babble / Friday 11-18-22

This is the scribble that leads to the babble. Sometimes, it gets tidied up; but other times, not so much. When all else fails: watch the video!

Friday – we did it. BUT – the real question – how are we going to get our Taylor Swift Tickets!

Ticketmaster announced Thursday afternoon that it has canceled public ticket sale plans for the pop star’s upcoming “The Eras Tour.” Fans accessed Taylor Swift tickets earlier this week via a presale offer for Capital One cardholders; those tickets are no longer available.

Ticketmaster on Tuesday called the demand “historically unprecedented.” The 2023 tour, which has 52 dates so far, sold more than 2 million tickets that day — a single-day record.

Not only is she a hit machine, she’s a money machine. Captial One looking so smart for having Miss Taylor Swift as her spokesperson. I need an endorsement.

44 days until EXIT PLAN

I wrote / I ran

New Music Friday:

I put together a Spotify playlist of the songs that I talked about and thought about today for New Music Friday. Click here for that!

• World Cup begins this weekend and to help kick it off is a collaboration amongst Nicki Minaj, Maluma, and Myriam Fares. The song is called “Tukoh Taka” (two-ka, tocka) and is the Official FIFA Fan Festival Anthem. It’s a fast-paced dance song with verses in three different languages. With Nicki’s part, she sings “Some say fútbol, some say soccer,” before it goes back to the chorus. I’d like to add some say cross country running with a ball. Just score. I don’t want to see any 0-0 ties. I like goals, touch downs, and home runs. (clip) The music video for “Tukoh Taka” will be out and I’ll have the link to the video. Soccer games kick off Sunday.

• Jukebox the Ghost released a new single today and the name of it made me think that it could possibly be a cover. Back in the day (1995 to be exact), the band Tripping Daisy came out with a song called “I Got a Girl.” (clip) The song from Jukebox the Ghost with that very same name . . . is not that. More piano in this one. Elevated the usage of bad words. It’s a fun song though. Not sure if a whole album is on the way or not, but it is a new song again called “I Got a Girl” from Jukebox the Ghost.

• Pharrell and Travis Scott have shared new song called “Down in Atlanta.” (clip) This song follows Williams’ previous single “Cash In Cash Out” – that one featured 21 Savage and Tyler, The Creator. In a recent interview, Pharrell stated that these new songs are going to appear on a forthcoming solo album called Phrends (that’s a ph for the F). Apparently BTS will be featured on the album, too.

• New AJR – these guys had one of my favorite albums from last year – OK Orchestra. Phenomenal album from beginning to end. Actually, since that album came out, they have slowly trickled out a couple songs in addition to this one, which is called “The DJ is Crying” (clip) – not sure of a new album coming, but I’m thinking 2023 could be an AJR year.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Happiness is not about the trophy, or the finish line. It’s the journey. If you enjoy your journey, you can enjoy your life” by Pharrell Williams

morning babble / Thursday 11-17-22

This is the scribble that leads to the babble. Sometimes, it gets tidied up; but other times, not so much. When all else fails: watch the video!

I wrote, but not good. The past couple nights I’ve been sitting in the library, Christmas tree lights on, and The Real Holiday Jazz channel on Sirius. I need to get back into other routine of sitting the office desk, candle on, and my two song playlist playing.

The Stairs / Kiss the Dirt

HAPPY FRIDAY EVE!

45 days until EXIT PLAN

Bird has FOMO. If you visit us – yes, we have a bird out. “Which Bird Brent” Look a gutter.

I have FOMO still with my emails. I think I’m going to have to put a timer and simply plow through my emails.

Obnoxious numbers again

All these newsletter emails

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“You must believe in the possibility of happiness in order to be happy” – by Leo Tolstoy via A Calendar of Wisdom

morning babble / Wednesday 11-16-22

This is the scribble that leads to the babble. Sometimes, it gets tidied up; but other times, not so much. When all else fails: watch the video!

46 days until EXIT PLAN

Welcome to AMA Wednesday –

Via someone – “Doing a race?” – I’m out – doesn’t look like it’ll be this year.

Via someone – “What’s up with Exit Plan?”

It’s that time of year again, when whoever I run into . . . I just begin asking everyone. We’re hiring, so if you know someone . . . we’re hiring.

Anyone and everyone, I run in to. Katie – “How are you?” Me – “eh, uh, eh – we’re hiring.”

“Don’t forget, we’re hiring!” Nod. “I love you, too – Dad, but we are hiring.”

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Defeat is a choice. The brave never choose it.” – by Ryan Holiday via Courage is Calling

morning babble / Tuesday 11-15-22

This is the scribble that leads to the babble. Sometimes, it gets tidied up; but other times, not so much. When all else fails: watch the video!

Happy Tuesday! Not as happy as Pete Davidson happy though. Apparently, he’s now dating Model Emily Ratajkowski? So, first there was Ariana Grande, Kate Beckinsale, Kim Kardashian. Pete – he’s got what the kids call today – Rizz. It’s magical.

47 days until EXIT PLAN

PODCAST TUESDAY!

Trends with Benefits is a podcast put out by MUD\WTR. The longer ones are their macro podcasts and hosted by Kyle Thiermann.

Meanwhile, there are also Micro-podcasts which are hosted by Sara Russell whose voice and delivery I really do enjoy. Her recent one was “How to Handle Burnout” – simple overall solution – set that bar lower and cut out of work when you’re supposed to.

Back to Kyle, recently he interviewed the mastermind behind MUD\WTR itself – Shane Heath who I always find fascinating as a person to be interviewed. For some reason, he reminds me of Blake Mycoskie, who is the founder of Toms Shoes. That’s a book I read on Kindle, so I can’t flash it, but the Blake book, Start Something that Matters – great one. Anyway, back to Shane. His beverage concoction MUD\WTR has always been a favorite of mine and then the story behind it all just drew me in. You can watch the recent podcast on YouTube – click here

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“The best bridge between despair and hope is a good night’s sleep.” – by E. Joseph Cossman via the MUD\WTR website

morning babble / Monday 11-14-22

This is the scribble that leads to the babble. Sometimes, it gets tidied up; but other times, not so much. When all else fails: watch the video!

Happy Monday – keep saying that one – HAPPY Monday and then push out smile.

It’s hard work. I ran. I didn’t this weekend though. Boy had me at the ballfield on Saturday. Throwing, Catching, Pitching, Hitting. I’m feeling it. Equivalent to more than a run.

48 days until EXIT PLAN

GOAL SETTING MONDAY –

On a Monday, I like talking about setting up goals for the week and then knocking them down the rest of the way. Today, I have quotes from my 7-year-old daughter for some inspiration and encouragement for your week:

• Live your life
• You be you
• Stay awesome (stey asome)
• It’s life
• Achieve your dream (echeeve your dream)
• Go Phillies

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“The only thing worse than starting and failing is NOT starting something” – by Seth Godin

morning babble / Friday 11-11-22

This is the scribble that leads to the babble. Sometimes, it gets tidied up; but other times, not so much. When all else fails: watch the video!

Happy Friday – little slow start for me to the weekend this morning. I wanted to run, but the body said “no.” I think it’s just a weather issue with being so warm again. The body doesn’t know if we want to do the allergy season again or not. “Do we want to make him miserable again?” Please don’t. Cold air is arriving throughout the weekend – so, I believe I’m good.

3-Day Fast concluded with Pizza and Wings along with a couple beverages of beer. I was hoping for Tacos / hoping for a charcuterie board, BUT the family had other ideas, plus the kids had off today for parent/teacher conferences . . .so, we did our typical watching of our TV shows in the basement – we’ve been watching the Star Wars series “Andor” as well as “The Mysterious Benedict Society” – Season 2 for that one. Big Disney Plus Family here.

51 days until EXIT PLAN – more on that next week – I promise – Wednesday, I’ll update

Before the new music, I really do try to catch everything that I can. Sometimes, I miss really good ones like The Pretty Reckless with their recent album Other Worlds. Remember lead singer Taylor Momsen is all grown up from what she used to do as a kid. (play clip) – Yes, she was Cindy Lou Who in the film How the Grinch Stole Christmas – the one with Jim Carrey. Always surprises people because this is her today (play clip). All grown up.

I thought I missed out on a whole new Christmas album from an old-time rocker. I was shocked, but then I noticed the year 2021. I really missed this one. Billy Idol.

New Music Friday:

I put together a Spotify playlist of the songs that I talked about and thought about today for New Music Friday. Click here for that!

• In theaters today, we can see Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Couple weeks ago, we got to hear Rihanna’s first solo single in six years and it was via the Black Panther sequel’s soundtrack. That song was called “Lift Me Up.” We get to hear another new one that is off the same soundtrack which is out in its entirety today. This one is called: “Born Again.” (Clip) Remember, Rihanna is the halftime entertainment at the next Super Bowl.

• I talked about this one a couple weeks ago – I think the same day as Rihanna. It’s one of my favorites – it’s Run the Jewels. Not a truly brand spanking new album, but nevertheless, a new one. Their 4th album RTJ4 has been remixed entirely by Latin artists and will be called RTJ Cu4tro – all songs have been remixed along with new versions of the tracks. AND – I’m all in. Run The Jewels – Ooh La La (Mexican Institute of Sound Remix feat. Santa Fe Klan)

• Here’s a couple albums that you just should listen to because who the artists are: Coming back with his third installment of the King’s Disease albums is Nas with King’s Disease III. You actually get the one-two punch of Nas and Hit-Boy who many have viewed as being the premier rapper-producer combo in the entire rap game. And then one of the songs on the album is “Michael and Quincy” which is a nod to one of the all-time greatest artist-producer combinations of all time, Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones. (Here’s the song). Nas and Hit-Boy have linked up for their fourth full-length release in two years. Big album too – 17 songs over 50 minutes. Again – King’s Disease III

• The other one is from the Boss – Bruce Springsteen dropped his latest with Only the Strong Survive. This past Wednesday, he announced he will have a short residency on “The Tonight Show” with Jimmy Fallon to showcase songs from his 21st studio album, Only the Strong Survive. Springsteen’s four-night stand on “The Tonight Show” starts Monday and then returns for the show’s Nov. 15, Nov. 16 and Nov. 24 episodes. Another big album – 15 songs over 50 minutes. The “old timers” know how to crank them out.

• And Finally – Christmas Music! Sorry, but our new Christmas tree arrives tomorrow – around 1000 LED lights, can do all kinds of tricks with them. Will it go up? I’m not sure yet. I certainly know that I don’t have room in the storage area right now for a big box like that. Soooooo – we’ll see. Anyway – new Christmas music from Devon Gilfillian. He released “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” – I think that’s it too – no whole album or anything. He’s touring right now, so this is probably one to throw into the mix along with “The Christmas Song” and “Winter Wonderland”, which he recorded a couple years ago.

Will the tree go up?

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“If your world doesn’t allow you to dream, move to one where you can.” by Billy Idol