Thanks to Getsmart, Yul Brynner has been on the brain for a while. What sweet thoughts! So, this one is for you, Getsmart.
I've been meaning to share my favorite one-hit wonder, and now seems the perfect opportunity to do so, given the perfect storm of Yul Brynner and controversy.
Seems there's a little back-and-forth going on about costumes some deem offensive due to racial and ethnic stereotypes. I say Halloween is all in fun and I'm actually going dressed as an Indian maiden this year (read: Native American for you sensitive types). Stereotype? Maybe. Fun? Absolutely.
So that brings me to this great song: what other tune would ever mention Yul Brynner? For that alone, it scores points. Only one-hit wonder about chess? Score. Controversy? Score again. I remember that Thailand (once Siam) was OFFENDED because the song did not exactly give their nation a glowing representation. It does mention "one crowded, polluted, stinking town", but is this not reality? So, Thailand, from my understanding, actually banned the song in their nation. Too bad. ONE OF THE COOLEST EVER!
So, without further ado, because it's not banned here in America, and because if anyone has a right to be offended, it should be nerds like me who play chess (but, of course, I'm not offended - after all, chess is the "ultimate test of cerebral fitness"). Good thing I love the song and all the lyrics. It is also unique in that it came from a stage play by the name of - you guessed it- "Chess". Enjoy!
And just for good measure, I can't resist showcasing another song about chess - "I've Seen All Good People" by Yes. No, they don't mention Yul Brynner, but they do give some excellent advice - "Don't surround yourself with yourself". Good advice for those who are offended by simple, fun Halloween costumes. It's really not all about you sometimes - it's just Halloween. Remember, on the chess board, black and white sit side by side. Get over it and enjoy life's pleasures!
Touch of Grey will, well, touch upon the rainbow that is life. Good music, good times, and good friends combine to make all the splendid colors. Touch of Grey will celebrate this beautiful rainbow.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Like Peas and Carrots....
Nothing goes together as well as POKER and WHISKEY!
All the talk lately of the defunct Bootfest poker game got me to thinking....It's time for some homemade poker and whiskey with family and good fiends...er, I mean FRIENDS.
Just to get y'all in the mood for all that, I offer here a couple of great songs that just go together like....well, you know.
One word of advice: you gotta watch these chicks that are into poker and whiskey - for ya know, they'll trick ya easy!
All the talk lately of the defunct Bootfest poker game got me to thinking....It's time for some homemade poker and whiskey with family and good fiends...er, I mean FRIENDS.
Just to get y'all in the mood for all that, I offer here a couple of great songs that just go together like....well, you know.
One word of advice: you gotta watch these chicks that are into poker and whiskey - for ya know, they'll trick ya easy!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Of Human Bondage
Just when you think nothing in the news could shock you anymore, you get this.
It leaves me at a loss for words, really. How sad we as a species have become. It really hit me hard, because just a day prior, I had absorbed myself in Roger Ebert's latest blog post here. Ebert's posts of late have been so fascinating, he is one of my "must read" bloggers when I surf the internet. I always am gratified when I stop by his page. This latest post of his asks simply, "Why are we cruel?" Indeed, even if cruelty seems inherent in the nature of Homo sapien, there is no good answer here. And when I came across the article about those poor souls in Philadelphia being held against their will in such horrid conditions, I immediately thought of Ebert's blog. It seems we will never see the end of stories like this.
What do YOU think? Why ARE we so cruel? To other people, to defenseless animals? Even to those we love? What in our nature makes humans at times so inhumane?
I highly recommend all of Roger Ebert's writings on his blog. He has in incisive way of thinking and thus makes me think.
It leaves me at a loss for words, really. How sad we as a species have become. It really hit me hard, because just a day prior, I had absorbed myself in Roger Ebert's latest blog post here. Ebert's posts of late have been so fascinating, he is one of my "must read" bloggers when I surf the internet. I always am gratified when I stop by his page. This latest post of his asks simply, "Why are we cruel?" Indeed, even if cruelty seems inherent in the nature of Homo sapien, there is no good answer here. And when I came across the article about those poor souls in Philadelphia being held against their will in such horrid conditions, I immediately thought of Ebert's blog. It seems we will never see the end of stories like this.
What do YOU think? Why ARE we so cruel? To other people, to defenseless animals? Even to those we love? What in our nature makes humans at times so inhumane?
I highly recommend all of Roger Ebert's writings on his blog. He has in incisive way of thinking and thus makes me think.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Sunday, October 9, 2011
I Got Nothin'
Nothin' very special today, that is. Sometimes inspiration runs short. Or perhaps this is just a laid-back sort of day. I think the latter is in play here. Who isn't enjoying the rainy, grey skies and the cooler temps? We have had nearly 2 inches of rain, and I say, KEEP IT COMING!
A lazy Sunday to be sure. I find myself with plenty that needs to be done, of course, like sweeping/vacuuming, laundry, you know. All those mundane things. But instead, I just sit here, typing away, enjoying my hazelnut coffee and the light drizzle outside my window. Those chores will be done soon enough. Occasionally, I might have a laugh as one of my kitties comes in from outside looking like a wet dishrag. In fact, Hamlet wants in my lap right now, all wet fur and motor running and tail-wagging feline that he is. He also adores his belly rubs.
Dad is watching the Texans play the Raiders, and hoping against hope, I think, that our guys are going to pull this one off. Stranger things have happened, though.....and finally, grandmother is sitting quietly in her room, reading and enjoying the rain coming down as well as her cat sitting beside her.
So, you see, I got nothin'. Or maybe just enough for a lazy Sunday. A paper or three sitting on the kitchen table waiting to be read. Floors needing my attention. And a little Johnny playing in my head. It's funny, it depends on the mood I am in as to how this song sounds to me. Sometimes it seems as depressing as all get out. But today, it just seems soothing, casual, and lovely, even if it does make me realize just how much I miss Johnny and my mom.
Enjoy your day, even if it's a day of nothingness. After all, any day above ground is a good day.
A lazy Sunday to be sure. I find myself with plenty that needs to be done, of course, like sweeping/vacuuming, laundry, you know. All those mundane things. But instead, I just sit here, typing away, enjoying my hazelnut coffee and the light drizzle outside my window. Those chores will be done soon enough. Occasionally, I might have a laugh as one of my kitties comes in from outside looking like a wet dishrag. In fact, Hamlet wants in my lap right now, all wet fur and motor running and tail-wagging feline that he is. He also adores his belly rubs.
Dad is watching the Texans play the Raiders, and hoping against hope, I think, that our guys are going to pull this one off. Stranger things have happened, though.....and finally, grandmother is sitting quietly in her room, reading and enjoying the rain coming down as well as her cat sitting beside her.
So, you see, I got nothin'. Or maybe just enough for a lazy Sunday. A paper or three sitting on the kitchen table waiting to be read. Floors needing my attention. And a little Johnny playing in my head. It's funny, it depends on the mood I am in as to how this song sounds to me. Sometimes it seems as depressing as all get out. But today, it just seems soothing, casual, and lovely, even if it does make me realize just how much I miss Johnny and my mom.
Enjoy your day, even if it's a day of nothingness. After all, any day above ground is a good day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)