I've always liked the trumpet and wouldn't mind taking a crack at that. I learned to play both the piano and the alto saxophone when I was a kid and certainly could do with a lot of practice, if I had to play them now.
Yeah, I had a pretty good weekend: played Zoom trivia, went to a city council candidates' forum, went to church, attended a city festival and then a political fundraiser, and mowed the lawn. Enjoyed the summer sun... and then the air conditioning.
Yes. I've been flipping back through Proust's volume *Albertine Disappeared* (I think it's usually put in English under the alternative title *The Fugitive*). It has a little something for everybody in it, probably.
TNP wouldn't consider reading a work of fiction written by someone under the age of thirty-five or, preferably, under a hundred years old or more.
Sure. St. Ignatius of Loyola's *Spiritual Exercises*. Not really much of a page turner, especially in his kind of opaque Latin (not a great stylist, IMHO, but a classic text). The psalter as well (a one-volume little edition of the liber psalmorum aka Book of Psalms): also not really a page turner, but something one reads, perhaps.
TNP does not consider "mental toughness" to be one of his or her greatest attributes.
TNP has called at least one person recently a "school marm" in a joking fashion. Preferably more than one at the same time, but it is TNP, so roll your own.
Sure. There's the Proust (it's not really a France that exists outside of Proust's mind, except in some striking historical correspondences, but still), and I'm 100% sure some other things. Some biography/critical works on FR authors, some history stuff....I don't remember what. Probably cannot count FR poetry, even written by a French — somewhat abstract, you know.
TNP has a favorite Tilly: Meg Tilly, Jennifer Tilly, or the Tilly Hat.
Yeah. I initially read it as "last year" and tried to remember a Tom Hanks movie.....he's in everything.....but, yeah, sure. I even looked up a while ago on purpose movies a while ago I hated just because Alan Rickman was in it. That fucker was an asshole being like dying and shit: screw him, he would have been great as Jacob Marley......or is he?
TNP can give a good example of "astrology" == "weird.Nuts."
[And I asked for an example! Yes, astrology is nuts, and down to the exact time of birth....I don't even know what that means....something with houses and Pluto which isn't even a planet anymore. It's nuts, but women like it, generally! That's the core market, I find.]
TNP can name one or more good things about Philly center: Italian Market, Rocky statue, whatever.
City Hall and the Museum of Art are both very impressive buildings, and the Museum has a terrific collection, including several Van Goghs. I like the big Washington equestrian statue outside, too (well, the statue itself, but not so much the base, which IMHO is a bit too "busy"): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eakins...phia-27527.jpg
TNP has a favorite outdoor sculpture in his or her town.
Oh, I don't know. There is a pretty good one of TR mounted on horseback, and also a good one of a huge elk.
TNP is familiar with the tune "Jemima Surrender" by The Band, and if so, is kind of shocked by how rapey (or at least explicit) the lyrics are. "Jemima surrender, I'm going to give it to you....Ride in your canoe....let my river flow" etc.
If TNP were in a band, he or she would never go with so unimaginative a name as "The Band," but would instead go for something much cooler, which TNP will now tell us.
I can't print it what I'd tempted to go for on a family friendly forum. The Band gives a couple of accounts, I think chiefly in an interview by pianist and singer Richard Manuel, of how they ended up with such a generic name in the excellent concert film and documentary by Scorsese, The Last Waltz. I always liked some of the kids' (well, not anymore) names like "The John Cougar Concentration Camp" and others.
TNP has a rock guitar idol, and will name him or her in the next post.
Quite a few, but off the top of my head I'll go with, hmm... Ian Bairnson, for his awesome playing on this Alan Parsons Project song (especially at 1:44):
TNP had not heard that song recently, but likes it.
Yeah, I like it. Only thing I've ever heard by the APProj. Sounds like a bunch of heavy studio cats getting it over in the 1970s. Nice Rhodes piano work. And the guitar solo kind of reminds me of Larry Carlton, plus the chorus effect, on something like Steely Dan's "Kid Charlemagne."
TNP vehemently disagrees that Steely Dan belongs in the "yacht rock" category of music, and has a favorite tune or album of theirs.
"Vehemently disagrees" would be overstating it, but yeah, that label probably does an injustice to the group. And "My Old School" is hands-down my favorite song of theirs:
Oh, sure. I always like "Deacon Blues," but there's so many. Donald Fagen may be an insufferable prick, but he's an inventive composer and an adequate keyboard player. And may Walter Becker rest in peace, as of not too long ago.
TNP has recently used his or her skills at mediation, such as having almost been in a real old-fashioned bar-room brawl started by some "toughs," or whatever example is appropriate.
No, fortunately, I haven't found myself in that kind of situation recently. I did once avert a looming fight between two women on a playground, though, by a loud, stern and timely shout of "Hey!"
TNP has had at least a somewhat similar experience with a single shouted word.
Yes, several times recently. In fact, using that exact word, namely "Hey!" Used by me and witnessed its use by others. It's an instant shock collar for humans.
TNP is no longer capable of being surprised by the pettiness of other so-called humans.
Not really. In fact, in the past several months or so, I've become more convinced of the despicable character of even some of the most outwardly respectable people. Or persons. Or even "people," between quotes.
TNP agrees with what I said just now, but, still, craves and adores the admiration of many people, and finds it necessary to live.
No. I haven't bothered to reorder cards for a few years. These days with phones and everything, I don't think anyone really would know what to do with it should they want to get in touch with me for a little job or something.
TNP really relies on an old-fashioned wallet/billfold to keep a bunch of things like that handy. Business cards, guitar picks, various bric-a-brac, all that. And wouldn't have it any other way!
Sure. Although despite some corroboration from "doctors" of chiropracty, I have no doubt that a strong back with developed muscles should have no problem carrying such a wallet.
TNP has never, ever, in adult life, carried his or her wallet in one of the back pockets of a trousers. Front pocket only! (Or perhaps inside jacket pocket, if one is doing an old-timey movie impersonation). It is ape law!
Heh. It'll be a cold day in hell before I don't play or listen to some form of American improvised music one day or another. So, yeah. Of course. No, I don't always have an instrument with me, but it's just how one rolls, as one does. Now I'm playing more guitar, so, of course, I take my little Ibanez archtop to bed most every night with me. She's very good to me, even though she's not flatwound yet.
There's not a conscious hour that goes by that there isn't some beat, even just "oompah chookla oohla molla wanna holla" that doesn't come out.
[/* ETA really? I thought that was only a "dad" thing, carrying wallet in the back pocket. Well, so long as nobody pickpockets you, it's no skin off my nose. Really? Well, whatever makes you happy. */]
TNP would have a real silent musical future if he or she didn't have the music of the past to count on as inspirations. Jelly Roll, Bach, whatever.
Last edited by Jizzelbin; 27 Aug 2021 at 11:49 PM.
No. Too far east compared to NW Italy, and foreignish although rich in literary allusions. That and I don't like water that much.
TNP thinks it will be a cold day in hell before he or she ever cleans out the inside or outside of his or her car, and does not give one crap about who cares.
Not quite... I don't clean it out all that often, but I certainly don't wait that long! I'm most likely to do it when I know I'll have a passenger, as for a recent history trip to Philadelphia with a friend.
NOW???? Hell yeah. I always need scrap paper. Fortunately, I always carry some or a small notebook or have some within reach. And don't forget the pencils! And sharpener and eraser! Or, maybe, if that's all one has, some pen dependent on Big Ink, but that would be lamentable.
TNP would rather retain a 24/7 live-in chauffeur/personal valet, or a cook/housekeeper.
If I had to pick, I'd go with the cook/housekeeper. I like to drive and I can dress myself, but a cook (if skilled) and housekeeper (if diligent) would be useful. But either would feel awkward.
TNP knows someone with a live-in chauffeur/personal valet.
Sterling Archer? No, at best I think I know some elderly rich people who have live-in caretakers of sorts, but that's not really the same thing. No Jeeves and Wooster, or Clouseau and Cato "households" I know personally, although I'm sure there are some out there.
TNP can explain what's so great about driving oneself, even if one is good at it and enjoys the sensory experience, when you could be sitting in the back, à la Burke's Law doing crosswords, having a few cocktails, solving crimes, taking nude selfies to send to hapless underlings! Even taking a regular cab is better, although the hacks aren't always that good.
I just like the freedom and mobility of driving myself - deciding where to go, then going faster or slower, changing lanes, responding to traffic, etc. I also like listening to music or audiobooks, or talking with whoever's in the car with me, putting the time to good use. I do enjoy reading in the car on long trips - on the highway, that is; in city traffic with its stops and starts, or on winding country roads, I can get carsick.