Local Music Scene – Hatchetation

Monster Mash

Posted on October 23, 2023October 24, 2023 by Markman

We had some friends over Saturday night and ended up actually playing some board games, Golden Girls Clue and Sorry. Ended up being pretty fun. For some unknown reason the GG version of Clue seemed unnecessarily complicated. Perhaps because the directions were not well written at all and in some instances didn’t not seem to make any sense. We trudges on and got the hang on it eventually and we learned that Stan stole the cheesecake in Blanche’s Bedroom absconding with it in Sophia’s purse. Hardly ever play board games anymore these days. LD won at Sorry and they won at Clue. Yes, I did not win any games. It was a good night for that kind of activity though because it was a rainy dreary day.

On Sunday I went solo to check out the Somerstreets Monster Mash. Basically just a thing were everyone gets dressed up and there’s vendors, artisans, musicians, etc. Like a street fair basically.

The utility guys are out front of the house this morning, tearing up the lawn and jackhammering the street out in front. Joy of joys.

Been watching old shows lately since nothing’s really on anymore. Kicking it with some classic NYPD Blue. Remember that show? I also am a little proud of myself after making a nice shrimp succotash gemelli for dinner and it came out pretty good!

Until the Twelfth of Never

Posted on May 27, 2022May 28, 2022 by Markman

Got back from the show last night close to midnight. Like I said, I had taken my Mom to see Johnny Mathis, who just happened to be in Medford, MA of all places, for his current tour (12 dates in all, not bad for an 86 year old!) My musical tastes tend to run more to bands that are at Boston Calling this weekend but I can appreciate all kinds of music. I had gotten us 5th row seats two years ago because I remember my mom saying that seeing him would always be on her bucket list. I never really thought it would happen, but as luck would have it, it actually did! The view was pretty good, 5th row in a small venue you can’t go wrong. Everyone had to wear masks of course, and since the audience I would say were mostly older folks, everyone followed the rules. It was a very respectful crowd. Yes, I was in the fifth row with all the geriatrics. Hey, I’m almost there myself! Sure feels like it sometimes.

His orchestra was great and I have to say, that this guy hasn’t lost anything to his voice. He’s still got it after all these years. I think everyone had a great time and were very satisfied with his performance. I know my mom was. I think I saw other people like middle-aged daughters maybe that brought their moms to the show. I thought that was a very nice thing to do. Seems like everyone there had been waiting for over two years as well, and like I said, they definitely we’re not disappointed.

Of course now I’m dragging. Like I said, I’m almost a geriatric myself. But I had to get up and get to work. Maybe I’ll take a nap but probably not. I have to go get my covid booster later, not really looking forward to it but just have to get it out the way. Hopefully we’ll be able to recuperate a little bit this weekend. I say we’ll because LD is also supposed to take it easy after having surgery on a finger yesterday. Thankfully that all went well but her hand is going to be laid up for a while so I’ll be helping her out as needed.

Well, I’m off to roll up my arm and get a jab. Even though I feel like I’m dragging today I need to get it done. In the meantime, check out some of these lovely garden shots I took today!

Today’s Shots from the Garden

I think I like photographing our garden work just as much, if not more so, of trying to grow it!

More later possibly…

Back Like a Bat Out of Hell

Posted on March 6, 2022 by Markman

Finally went and saw a live show last night in town, something we haven’t done since 2019! It was for a show that we originally had tickets for back in 2019 but got pushed back a couple of times due to the pandemic. Originally we believe it was supposed to be some sort of musical using the music from the Bat Out of Hell album, but I think since Meat’s passing it got changed into a tribute concert.

The man behind the microphone singing Meat Loaf’s signature classics was Caleb Johnson, an American Idol winner from season 13. There was even a couple of times when he would leave the stage and mingle into the audience while singing, including going way up into the back of the balcony. The band was super tight and sounded great, especially the two female singers. I cannot deny that it was amazing to see a live show again after so much time had passed. We were a little apprehensive but we played it safe. There’s just something about live performances that you just cannot capture any other way. It was a smallish local theatre and I’d say most of the crowd was middle aged or older. Let me tell you, some of these older women in the audience go nuts when they let loose. (Uhmm, you do know that’s not actually Meat Loaf, right? Although to be fair, the guy does have his own career.) It was a fun time!

Appointment Day

Posted on January 24, 2020January 24, 2020 by Markman

Lots of appointments filling out today. I had a dental appt early in the morning with a followup in two weeks and then LD had some stuff. Carson had a vet visit as well. That was a bit of trauma getting him in the carrier at first – but he did good while he was there. He was so scared he actually let out a little poop while en route – which actually was advantageous as it was used as his stool sample. Good job Carson! We also did get to check out a cute cafe in Lincoln as well since we were in the area (the Twisted Tree Cafe). In case you were wondering I had a pretty good turkey sandwich.

This seems to be the year of seeing concerts – got a whole bunch of musical acts to see this year. Might see Bon Jovi again (not sure why his prices are so high, he ain’t THAT good – just my opinion), and entered a contest for front row Billy Joel seats at Fenway along with a meet and greet after the show through SiriusXM – hey you never know. Can”t win if you don’t try although I know my odds on that one are pretty slim. This all goes along with acts I plan to see this like Def Leppard, Poison, Mötley Crüe and Joan Jett (granted all those are on the same bill) as well as Johnny Mathis, possibly Damone again and maybe Lita Ford or some such, who knows. Maybe even the Harp Twins. Might be getting tougher and tougher to see local acts these days as the old Middle East is up for sale though admittedly I haven’t done that in quite some time – age and all.

Wish I had CBS All Access – I want to see the new Picard show – heard good things, but I’m too cheap to buy the streaming service for one show. Anyone wanna invite me to a watch party? Heheh!Another show I’m looking forward to Forensic Files II! Wonder if it’ll be as good as the originals – I noticed it even has the same opening theme music!

Got a free shipment of Hello Fresh to try this weekend (friend that uses them got an offer to send a free shipment to us try them out) – we’ll see how it goes (haven’t done any of these things since the Blue Apron days, which we did for a while but quit a couple of years ago). I’m doing the cooking tonight! What else? Still keeping my amaryllis and European Tree going strong, so that’s good. Filled up the bird feeder outside as it was empty – I haven’t really done any birding in a while. Might have to get out there and try some again.

Sunday Chores and a Side of Rock

Posted on July 28, 2019July 28, 2019 by Markman

Natalie Joly and the Reckless Hearts, Norwood, 7/28/2019

The bedroom is finished! The area rug has finally been laid down, the artwork is up on the walls, the new shades are in the windows, and it’s all good. Even went to the hardware store yesterday to get some new knobs for the nightstands that match the decor of the room better and put those on. While there I also obtained a bolt and a nut I needed to help repair the mower when the piece fell out last week, but it’s all good now. At some point I plan on buying a new mower with some accouterments and features that I currently do not have but that will assist moving forward, but for now these touch ups will do. We also got a bigger planter for Sean the pumpkin plant who is growing more everyday. He’s kind of an experiment at this point, so we’ll see what happens to him as the days progress.

Went out to the grocery store and bought some things that we ended up grilling for lunch. It was pretty hot out but overall not too bad – I didn’t mind it, and it actually came out pretty good. Will need to refill the tank real soon though, as it’s quickly getting to empty. Also competed food prep for the week early, which was a bonus.

I little while back I sent out one of my photos to be printed on glass, and that also arrived yesterday. For some reason, this picture I just like. It has a lot of muted greens in it which is not something I usually have in my photos – I don’t know – I just liked it. An impulse buy to be sure, but when my pics are printed and framed, I feel they really look better. Also blown up like this you can actually see the people in the top of the lighthouse where the lens is because they were doing tours that day.

Later in the early evening the town was having a free BBQ and concert on the Town Common, which we attended, at least for a little while – to take in some sights and hear some music. I had seen this musician there last year – she’s really good.

Here’s a fun puzzle game I’ve been playing around with this week: Blockon. It starts out pretty easy but I’m finding the later levels extremely challenging.

The Return of my All Time Favorite Local Band – Damone

Posted on July 27, 2019 by Markman

Damone live at the Sinclair, Cambridge MA – 07/26/2019

Reunited after 10 plus years and it feels so good. Never disappoint, and didn’t this time either. Also go to hear some songs live off the last album, which I had forgotten had never been performed live because they had broken up right around the time it got released. As Vazquez jokingly said “It’s the CD release party – just 10 years late.” Good selection from their entire catalog and the new drummer is amazing – I think Dustin would approve, rest his soul. Anyways, for those who may be interested, here is the set list:

When You Live
Now Is The Time
Get Up
On Your Speakers
You’re the One
New Change of Heart
What We Came Here For
Bad Reputation
You and I
On My Mind
Conquer Me
Roll the Dice
Serial Killer
Tonight
Outta My Way
Time and Time Again
Wasted Years/New Song
BMX
Out Here All Night

I made the trek out to Harvard Square as was able to make it through the night. I am dragging a little bit today though, but it’s all good. I didn’t bring my camera gear so all I got was these cell phone pics but if you flit around social media you’ll see better ones – I was mostly there to take in the show. Where will they go from here is anyone’s guess but maybe they’ll be some future things to look forward to.