MMTT4S - Bothersome Questions

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Captain’s Log: 22 July 2019; Back in Carolina, on the way to the coast

She went to Paris…

…and Normandy and Oxford and London.

Image courtesy of Amazon.com

Today’s tropical tune from Jimmy Buffett is a classic – “He Went To Paris.” It was first released on his 1973 album A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean. What a great song! The protagonist in the tune – the proverbial “he” – takes off for Paris searching for “answers to questions that bothered him so.” Sort of a self-discovery getaway. As the song progresses, those questions get pushed aside and even forgotten as life takes its course. He falls in love with the Paris lifestyle, which “put his ambitions at bay.” About five years later, he goes to England as a pianist and starts a family. Twenty years pass as the “quiet and clean country living” there seems to suit him well. Then war comes and robs him of his wife and son, and leaves him “with only one eye.” It is then that our subject remembers the questions that drove him to Paris to begin with. Again, he is prompted to leave in search of his answers. So, he drops everything and lives out the remainder of his days as simply as possible down in the islands. As the song concludes, our wanderer admits that amidst the good and bad, he’s lived a good life.

We never know for sure what his nagging questions were or if they remained forever unanswered. It seems, though, that maybe the answers weren’t that important, and instead, the questions themselves launched him on a life’s journey, “some of it magic, some of it tragic,” that, in hindsight, proved worthy of living.

Aren’t our lives just that? An endless quest for discovery? 

I always chuckle inside when I hear someone say they are going off in search of him/herself. Dude, you’re not going to find you. At least not all of you. What would happen if you were to find yourself anyway? I think there would be an incredibly brief moment of joy followed immediately by disappointment that the whole expedition is over. Inevitably, that age-old question that seems to stump all who encounter it (at least for a while) rears its troublesome head. “What now?”

If you stop there, life is over. Done. Kaput. Seems a little worse than tragic. If you decide to journey on, you’ll need to find yourself all over again. We change a little with each new experience. The more we are exposed to, the more we are engaged in, the more we grow and change. With that first step, the “you” you just discovered might be a little different than the “you” you’ve just become. After a few more steps, “you” have certainly changed. Pretty soon this would become an endless cycle of lost and found.

Come to think of it, maybe this is what we do, whether we claim we have gone in search of ourselves or not. Maybe this is our life’s unending mission.

One truth from all of this postulating on the meaning of life is this: If you think you are in control, you are sadly mistaken.

This sentiment is addressed early on in Buffett’s song when the young man in search of answers takes off to find them in Paris, only to get swept up in the “French wines and cheeses.” The intent of his pursuit gets waylaid by life and remains thus for the vast majority of his time on Earth.

Ring a bell?

Have you ever thought you had it all figured out, only to quickly learn that you didn’t? I sure have. Usually for me, not only did I not quite have it figured out, I wasn’t even close. Clueless. The Big Guy Upstairs has a way of reminding me who is in control. I’m sure He gets a mighty laugh from watching my ego grow, all the while shaking His head and saying, “Will you never learn?”

Hindsight reveals an amazing song line for me, despite my best efforts to derail myself. It is often in those moments of self-reflection, if we are lucky enough to get an opportunity for such, that life’s truths are exposed. It is then that I become more amazed than ever. And grateful.

I put my daughter on a church shuttle bus in Columbia, SC that was destined for Charlotte. From there she was hopping aboard a plane and flying to NYC and then on to London. She is on the third level of the Student Leadership University experience, aka SLU301. This program is amazing. Students come back from each trip changed for the better. The 301 trip consists of visits to Normandy, Paris, London, and Oxford. Check out their program here.

I’m jealous.

My son has completed all four trips and I can see the impact his experiences have had on him, which is, in turn, impacting those in which he comes into contact. In a very positive way. 

Impressive.

So, my daughter went to Paris. I’m sure she has questions that bother her so. Maybe she’ll find answers to some of them while there. Maybe not. I have a feeling that her experiences will be a little different than what she had in mind prior to the trip, that she’ll be reminded that she’s not steering the boat, and that with each question answered there are at least ten more that develop. It will be a moving, life-changing, exhausting whirlwind of a trip for sure and I’m so glad she is there. 

And I can't wait for her to return home. 

Maybe one day I’ll go to Paris in pursuit of some answers for questions that bother me so. Maybe not. I just hope as I near my life’s final moments, maybe while fishing the pilings down in the islands – that would be a nice way to wrap it all up, I can too say, “Some of it’s magic, some of it’s tragic, but I’ve had a good life all the way.”

Aloha, amigos!

MMTT4S - "Come outside with me - there's this moon you've got to see"

Captain's log: 20 July 2019 - Still on Earth, but looking up

Go here and check this out, now. Then come back and read my blog.

You know how some things are just too good to only have one or do once? 

Potato chips, fishing, fresh steamed oysters, going to see a Dave Barnes show, Harold Nutall's chocolate dipped Oreo balls, watching Castaway...

Yum!

Well, today is the day we landed on the Moon back in 1969, fifty years ago. I've already written about this momentous event and celebration...thrice. Still, I can't resist reaching into that cosmic chip bag for just one more.

Image courtesy of NASA.gov

Let's briefly discuss the Moon. Our Moon. I find it lovely, mysterious, mesmerizing, and powerful. Plus, it can perfectly illuminate a midnight swim. It has captured our imaginations, and guided our ways. It has inspired explorers, poets, artists, soothsayers, chieftains, and surfers for ages. It controls tides, fishing cycles, migratory patterns, our seasons, and maybe even moods. 

Read this about the Moon from Space.com (after you've finished my post).

I like the moon for other reasons, too. For instance, when it is really bright you can see your shadow. Think about that - you can see your shadow at night, naturally without artificial light. You can actually watch it move when you see it rise or set if you have a straight line horizon. I prefer the ocean, but it works well over White Sands, New Mexico, too. Some say that if you are lucky enough to catch it set at just the exact moment, you'll see a green flash. This typically occurs over a tropical sea from a vantage point of a waterfront or pier-side bar after a few daiquiris. I've never seen it, but I keep looking. 

Anything that is so involved with the tides, fishing, and art has got to be awesome. That's our Moon. And we were so inspired by it, fifty years ago we stuck three guys into the nose of a rocket and blasted them into outer space to give the place a visit. Then we did it 5 more times, putting 2 astronauts at a time on the surface, the last occurring way back in 1972. Six trips and 12 visitors total. 

Now it looks like we're headed back with the Artemis missions. Scheduled arrival is set for 2024. That makes me happy, hopeful, and proud.


Today's tune from Jimmy Buffett is yet another homage to our planet's celestial buddy called "Everlasting Moon." This gem is found in Buffett's box set Boats, Beaches, Bars, & Ballads. It's on the Ballads CD, where it should be. Play it at night, outside, as you gaze into the nighttime sky and stare at the Moon's "smiling...laser-painted face." You'll be glad you did. 



Ground control: "Aloha, Amigos!"

MMTT4S - Lunar Lunch, Anyone?

Captain's Log: 19 July 2019, The Moon (imagined)

Image courtesy of NASA.gov

How about a dinner party on the Moon?

It's not that far fetched. NASA is planning a sustained presence on and around the Moon by 2028. Check this out for all the details - awesome!

Still, we are a ways off from hosting cookouts and watching the big game from the comforts of a humble lunar abode. I hope to see that happen, though. Heck, I'd hope to be one of the hosts, but that may be more likely for my grandkids or great grandkids. Maybe they'll Skype me down here on Earth and let me experience the lunar life vicariously. By then, we may be visiting with each other by 3D holograms or better. Or maybe - "GG to young Wally the 5th...beam me up, sonny boy." Who knows?

Image courtesy of Amazon.com

Today's tune is the 3rd Buffet song I'm using to celebrate Apollo 11's historical flight to the Moon, an epic adventure that occurred 50 years ago. This song is from his CD Riddles in the Sand, released in 1984, and is titled "Come to the Moon." Yet another song about life away from our planet, this tune displays what might be a fantasy of Jimmy's - living on the Moon. According to the singer, it sounds like lunar living may include a bit of solitude and, thus, he is inviting his sweetheart, who he misses dearly, to come visit. After all, according to Buffett, half a million miles isn't all that far in this future, and a starship's about to depart.

Do you ever imagine what lunar or martian or planet "x" colonies would be like? I do (is that weird?). I'm sure my imagination has created conditions and environs that are impossible to produce on Earth, much less on alien worlds. If we ever do populate the moon, don't be surprised if a Margaritaville Restaurant and Adult Community pop up on the shores of the Sea of Tranquility. Would those residences be considered beach houses on the Moon? I wouldn't be surprised if talks are underway.  Not sure I'd want my permanent residence there, but a vacation home might be nice for an occasional cosmic getaway. Just think - you come in after playing 18 holes, having outdriven your longest golf drives back home on the local muni course by cool couple of miles, a full Earth shining bright overhead, not a cloud in the sky, your favorite hangout just a hop, skip, and a jump away - literally. The views would be breathtaking, not to mention the atmosphere, so leave your helmet on.

It would be cool.

Image courtesy of NASA.gov

Frigid, really. At least during the night. The days would be sweltering. According to CoolCosmos.com, the temperature on the Moon can fluctuate from -298 (yes, that's a negative) to 224 Fahrenheit. So, there's that. Minor hurdle. NASA and SpaceX, I'm sure, have that covered.

Then there's the whole oxygen thing. Again, a minor detail that a little planning (and some genius scientists and engineers) will certainly remedy.

Getting there has been done, but is still an issue. Cost, training, timing - blah, blah, blah.

Well, we've a ways to go until "Come to the Moon" is a beckoning we may hear regularly. Until then, though, enjoy yet another Jimmy Buffett song for the summer and celebrate Apollo 11's grand feat from 50 years ago.

Oh, and check this out for today from NASA! According to NASA: "Today at 1 p.m. EDT, NASA celebrates the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 and looks to exploration of the Moon and Mars in a live, two-hour broadcast. NASA TV will air Apollo 11 programming all week including replays of the original historic Moon landing footage on July 20."


From mission control - Aloha, amigos!

MMTT4S - Seven Sisters

Captain's Log: 17 July 2019, Earth...still

I'm a hopeless dreamer. Because of that I also tend to be a closet conspiracy theorist, a believer in UFO's, a dragonfly whisperer, wielder of the Force (doesn't always work), inner Walter Mitty channeler, and viewer of the History Channel's show Ancient Aliens. 

Image courtesy of starwars.com

I believe that we simply cannot explain everything. I think we are beings that must rely on belief and faith to not only to have a meaningful existence here on Earth, but to make it through our existence here as well. We learn new things every day. That should be a priority for us as a people and also for each of us individually. 

I believe we will make contact with aliens from another planet one day.

That is, if we haven't already done so. That's an interesting topic for a much lengthier conversation, though.

Image courtesy of
Amazon.com

Today's tune is the second in a series to help us celebrate our "one giant leap for mankind" as Neal Armstrong put it so perfectly. In the song, Jimmy brings in a character from one of his best-selling novels Where is Joe Merchant.  In his tale, Buffett introduces us to Desdemona, who believes she can communicate with aliens and, in an effort to reach the Pleiades constellation,  she attempts to build a rocket ship, which doubles as a bakery while "under construction." The song "Desdemona's Building a Rocket Ship" comes directly from the story. It has a catchy bridge that mentions the Pleiades. 

Image of the Pleiades Constellation
courtesy of earthsky.org

From Greek mythology, the Pleiades were the seven daughters of Atlas, a Titan. Zeus turned the sisters into a cluster of stars because Orion the hunter pursued them so heavily. Orion, then became a constellation to continue his pursuit of the sisters, which he continues to do every night in the darkened heavens. 

Myths were a way to explain the unknown universe. Science has helped us discover actuality, but there are still plenty of inexplicable events that science has thus far been unable to clarify. So, even though we know that the Pleiades are stars and not sisters, could they be calling to the Desdemonas out there? Maybe.

Is there life out there? Are there aliens? I kinda hope so. It would seem to be such a waste of space otherwise. If we ever do encounter them (unless we, of course, have not already), I hope the meeting is a positive one. We have enough complications with our own species to add another problematic one. I like the portrayal in the movie Contact. Then again, Don Henley claims that aliens are "not here" and "they're not coming...not in a million years," in his song "They're Not Here...They're Not Coming." He argues that we really don't offer much of an incentive ("McNuggets?"). Could be. 

In any case, fifty years ago when we took that giant leap, we may have also taken a baby step in reaching out to some cosmic neighbor from light years away. So, enjoy today's tune, it can be found on Jimmy's Banana Wind CD,  and continue your celebration of Apollo 11's successful mission to the Moon. 

Info book from Banana Wind CD

Adios, amigos! Earth out.

MMTT4S - We're GO Flight.

Captain's log: Stardate 16 July 2019, Earth

Houston, give me a go/no-go for launch...

I've been fascinated by the cosmos for as long as I've lived. My childlike wonder of the great expanse has never died. If anything, it's stronger today than ever.

For one thing, the universe is big. Trying to fathom its size is beyond my meager capabilities. But that doesn't stop me. I totally geek out on space. I catch myself staring skyward at night long enough for people around me to start whispering to their companions, asking if something is wrong with "that strange man." I'm addicted to identifying the heavenly bodies that appear in the nighttime sky. I use an app on my phone called Star Chart for assistance. It's awesome and it lets you wow (interpreted as "bore" or "annoy") your family and friends by allowing you to point to a star and say things like, "You see that star right there? Yeah, that's not really a star, it's a planet. Venus to be exact." Pointing out Mars or Orion's Belt for the 18th night in a row doesn't stir my family like it does me. Around day 4 it really doesn't stir them at all, actually. They just accept that I'm weird that way.

On July 16th, 1969, NASA sent three astronauts into space on the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon.

Image courtesy of TexasMonthly.com

While, Michael Collins orbited the Moon in the command module, Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong took the lunar lander Eagle to the surface on 4 days later - July 20th, 1969. These 2 heroes spent over 21 hours on the lunar surface. Could you imagine? That would be 21 of the greatest hours of my life. Right after the seventeen three hours of my wedding and reception, and the hours of my two kids' birth, of course. After the jaw-dropping views and experiences of the space flight, to then skip around on the Moon would just be one speechless moment after another. I'd go now. I'd go tot Mars. I'd hang out in the Space Station. Heck, I'd settle for Disney's Space Mountain right about now.

If you haven't paid much attention to real news lately, which is becoming more difficult to find, or if you didn't do the math earlier, we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Mission to the Moon, when man stepped foot on the Moon for the first time ever. There are some out-of-this-world celebrations going on around the nation. This Space Tourism Guide lists commemorative events planned all across the country. If you can't make it to an official celebration, you can do your own thing. Here's a suggestion from Space.com. Here's another from NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab. Radiotimes.com gives a listing of TV, film and radio shows that are celebrating the historic event as well. Lots to do. And why not? 

I, of course, have a Jimmy Buffett offering for you as well. Buffett and I share a passion for outer space, even though when it comes to the grand debate I'm a Star Wars guy and he's a Trekkie. He mentions the moon, Star Trek, Captain Kirk, Vulcan, stars, rocket ships, and more space-related stuff numerous times throughout his voluminous library of music. Today's tune is titled "Beach House on the Moon." Somewhat appropriate, right? It appears on his album by the same title that was released in 1999. It's a children's story, one he probably adapted from a bedtime tale he told his son, Cameron. It's fantastical and imaginative. He sings, "...'teach your children' to go fishing with their minds," and that's exactly what he does in this tune.

Image courtesy of Amazon.com

So as you celebrate this epic achievement in the history of mankind, take a moment to tune in to this lunar tune, maybe as you gaze off into the cosmos, and let your dreams and wonders carry you to your own beach house on the Moon. And, by the way, that bright star leading the Moon through its orbit right now is Jupiter.  A dimmer Saturn will be following its larger neighbor's trail near the Moon as well. And hapless Pluto is right behind Saturn but you'll need help spotting it. Just in case you're interested.

Aloha, amigos!

MMTT4S - Fins up!

Captain's log: 14 July 2019, pretty far inland

Dun dun....................dun dun.......................dun dun.......dun dun......dun dun.....dun dun...dun dun...dun dun dun dun dun dun!!!!!!

Image from back of Buffett's
Barometer Soup CD Info Book

Few animals rival our position at the top of the food chain: Lions, tigers, bears, killer whales, hippos, alligators, crocodiles, Everglades mosquitos, Goliath Birdeater Tarantulas, Insane Little League Moms, fire ants. While we have certainly won plenty of battles with the predators on this list, we've been on the losing end as well. Accept for the Goliath Birdeater Tarantula. No human has actually seen one of these things in person and lived to tell about it. Not because they were immediately attacked and eaten whole (that probably happened later), but because they caught a glimpse of a hairy spider big enough to eat birds and their heart stopped immediately from sheer terror. They do exist, though. We first learned about them from stories passed down from ancient talking macaws. The space station has documented sightings as well, which were then followed by documented instances of crew member deaths by sheer terror heart stoppages.

Whenever you invade the habitat of one of these types of animals, you better be on your toes. Paddle boarding the Nile is not smart. Sitting around a campfire eating cooked meat in Tanzania or a subalpine meadow in North America is risky. You're asking for trouble when you invade the stands at a coach's pitch youth baseball game.

Another animal that makes this list is the shark.

Image courtesy of sharktrust.org

Today is Shark Awareness Day! I searched the area drug stores for a Shark Awareness Day greeting card, but to no avail. I guess I must be too far inland here in West Texas. Not sure who (or what) I'd send it to anyway. Maybe a hippo. Hippos seem like they'd appreciate a nice card, especially since they are the only herbivore on the list. They must really be perturbed to attack humans when they don't even eat us. A friendly note might go a long way.

A day to promote shark awareness may seem to be a little unnecessary at first. I mean, when I'm sitting on my longboard out in the Atlantic I don't assume that the sharks see me and think, "Hold up! Surfer alert! We're outta here!" To the contrary, I know I'm playing in their backyard. If a great white decides to eat me, I'm most likely a meal. I would not go quietly, mind you, but I know the odds would not be in my favor. So, I don't need to be reminded to be aware of sharks while in the sharks' home.

Plus, accept for the occasional SHARKNADO!!!, there's really no need to worry much about sharks unless you're in their home. Unlike gators that can attack on land and water, or the Goliath Birdeater Tarantula that can fly through space, time, and even dimensions to reek holy havoc on life as we know it, sharks are only adept swimmers. Thankfully, pouncing out from a shrub is not their specialty. Being aware of sharks while hiking through the Rockies is extremely low on the checklist.

So, do we really need a day to remind us the importance of shark awareness?

Well, for me the day actually reminds us to be aware of the importance of sharks. I don't need to give you the details of the shark's vital contribution to our ocean's ecosystems when you can find more than enough online. Check this out from Sharktrust.org.

Image courtesy of bog.mtgprice.com

In honor of Shark Awareness Day 2019, today's tropical tune is Jimmy Buffett's "Fins" from his 1979 album Volcano. In concert, this song produces quite an amazing spectacle - tens of thousands of fans sing in unison "...fins to the left...fins to the right," and shift pretend fins created by flattening their hands together above their heads from left to right in sync with the chorus. Having viewed this more than once from the very back of the venue (the seats I can afford), I am always blown away that so many people who have been tailgating all day can pull off such a coordinated maneuver. And everyone does it. Impressive site to see. I highly recommend it.

Buffett's song doesn't really refer to the predators from the ocean, focusing instead on the landshark - those guys that spot a good looking lady (bait) and start circling and schooling around her, waiting to swoop in for the big bite - most likely a cheesy pick-up line that drops like a lead weight to the ocean floor. This idea of the landshark has produced lots of interesting costumes at Buffett tailgates and has even resulted in his beer Landshark Lager. When seen in their habitat, landsharks are sometimes easily recognizable - heavy musk cologne, slick-backed hair, shirt unbuttoned one or two buttons too low to reveal a gold chain or 2 that is nestled in some thick black fur. When they speak, their tongues drip honey like, "Is your name Wi-fi, because we have a connection," and "Did you eat Lucky Charms for breakfast, because you look magically delicious." Unlike the actual shark, landsharks are usually just annoying, and watching their attempts during a feeding frenzy is pitiful and hilarious.

So, instead of hugging a hammerhead or leading on a landshark, kick back today and listen to "Fins." If you're in the sharks' habitat, respect them, appreciate them, be aware of them. If you're not, pretend you are. Maybe have a Landshark Lager to help transport your mind to that tropical locale.

Whatever you do, DO NOT think about the Goliath Birdeater Tarantula. Ever.

Image courtesy of Amazon.com

MMTT4S - How Did We Ever Get Here?

Captain's log: 10 July 2019, In some serious Texas heat

It seems as if life is defined by migration.

According to mnn.com, Monarch butterflies take 6 months to migrate a few thousand miles. That's not the impressive part. Its lifespan is only a couple of months. So, doing the math here tells us that it takes generations to complete the migration. A typical Gray whale will travel over 10,000 miles in a year. Thankfully it will see the entire migration through, multiple times, unlike the Monarch.

Image courtesy of
worldofhummingbirds.com

Unfortunately, the belief that hummingbirds migrate on the backs of geese is just a myth. That's a shame in my book, because it's an awesome visual, isn't it? Still, the fact that these little boogers can hum right across the Gulf of Mexico or the Mojave Desert is amazing.

Animals migrate for a myriad of reasons: food, breeding, weather, habitat loss. The migration of some animals is still inexplicable to scientists.

We humans are no different. While we have a myriad of migratory patterns, many of which are a mystery to scientists as well, we do move from place to place. We move to seek better opportunities, and/or better living conditions, to escape, to start anew, to hide, to find ourselves, to lose ourselves.

Then there's the migration from life stage to life stage.

Jimmy possibly considering how he got there
Image courtesy of Amazon.com

Today's tune is aptly named "Migration" and is found on Jimmy Buffett's 1974 album A1A. It's yet another reflection piece that mixes with opinion on the state of things, advice, and a glimpse into the possible future. If you think Buffett sings about himself a good bit, well...he does. He's craftily created his persona that way, along with the whole Margaritaville mystique and brand. Why not? His is an entertaining story. Plus, he tells it with the flair for adventure, romance, and the poetic that most successful storytellers possess.

When I look back on my life, my migratory patterns are interesting to say the least. As Buffett says, when "trying to figure out how I got here...some things are still a mystery to me while others are much too clear." I tend to believe that there are some things God, in his infinite wisdom, planned as non-negotiables in my life, despite my best efforts to screw them up. I also believe that God, in his infinite wisdom, let my choices dictate some of the aspects of my life. In retrospect, though, my migration fills me with awe and wonder. My physical, meta-physical, emotional, psychological journey has defined me and continues to do so. Our summer migration to Surfside beach in the summers of my youth, our regular migrations to family homes, our migration to 6 different towns while I was growing up, my migration to Miami and then to Spartanburg and then to Abilene and then to Lexington are all physical movements that heavily impacted who I am today. Our migratory patterns now to the coast, to Texas, following our children's own adventures, and escaping on our own happen for various reasons but are both a result of who we are and a cause of who we are becoming.

In Jimmy's song "Migration" he mentions the repercussions of past decisions - being a merchant marine had he not learned to sing, getting married too early being a costly choice - and how to deal with looking back. According to Buffett (and pretty much everyone else) learning from the past is crucial. Indeed it is. It's also educational. He decided that it was time to have a little fun at one point in his life. Boy do we need to remind ourselves of that, huh?

I see some similarities in one verse in which he declares it to be a mystery to him "why some people live like they do," clueless to the wonderful things happening "out there" and my mantra of living ina state of constant total amazement. Often, looking back on our own songlines will help promote this type of philosophy. At least it does for me.

Lyle Lovett image courtesy of
esquire.com

One of my favorite lines comes from the chorus. While it does not completely define me, I can relate big time. Buffett sings, "I've got a Caribbean soul I can barely control and some Texas hidden here in my heart." As is sit here in Abilene, Texas, listening to Latino Tropical music channel on the cable TV, this sentiment is not lost on me. While I'm a Carolina boy for sure, my time in and connections to Texas have placed a permanent place deep in my heart for the Lone Star State. I could easily live here, and as I've mentioned earlier, Lye Lovett has assured me that even though I'm not from here, Texas wants me anyway. Proof that my migration has defined me.

Where my tropical gypsy soul comes from I'm not sure. Maybe its from my time spent in the Everglades or gazing out upon a 3AM orange glow over Miami or strolling along the shores all over the east and Gulf coasts or losing myself in the pages of magazines like National Geographic, Islands, or books like Treasure Island, Hawaii, Don't Stop the Carnival. I know I get some of my wanderlust from my dad and my love of the beach from my mom and wherever they got theirs from. I feel certain, though, that my life's migration has help influence it and vice versa.

So, take a listen to "Migration" and laugh about Buffett's opinion on mobile homes in the keys and what his plans once were if he made it to senior adulthood. Learn a little about his past. Tap your foot. Take some time. Reflect on your own life's migration. See if you can answer the question, "How did we ever get here?"

Aloha, amigos!

MMTT4S - Square Pegs, Belts, and Tully Mars

Captain's log: 8 July 2019, Abilene, Texas

Back in the Lone Star State.

Texas is one of my most favorite places in the world. Lived here for a few years. Made some great friends here. Created some incredible memories here. Most importantly, I found my wife here. I can't argue with General Johnson when he and the Chairmen of the Board claim that Carolina girls are the best in the world. I must say, though, that I'm more partial to Pat Green and Lyle Lovett's opinion on the girls from Texas (they're just a little bit better).

When I arrived here back in 1992, I was a flip-flop-wearin', vinegar-based-pulled-pork-eatin', basketball-lovin' beach bum. Not all that common in the cowboy town of Abilene. I soon realized that not only was my choice of smoked meat, my drawl of an accent, and my sport of choice different than the local varieties, I also realized that I was a little different. Then again, that was neither unusual nor a big surprise. In fact, it's par for the course, no matter where I find myself.

I've learned that I'm atypical in most facets of life on this planet. I don't quite fit in.

Sometimes it's extremely slight, like the pair of Wranglers that require a belt to stay up or the straw Stetson that needs a sliver of foam hidden in the inside band to give a fit snug enough to prevent losing the hat to a West Texas gust. Both the jeans and hat "fit" - just not perfectly. Other times, I'm the mayor of the Island of Misfit Toys. In either case, I've learned to accept it, embrace it, and even use it to my advantage.

Image courtesy of Amazon.com

Not fitting in is the topic of today's Jimmy Buffett tune "Cowboy in the Jungle" from his album Son of a Son of a Sailor. Buffett creates a wonderful character in one of his short stories in his compilation of short stories called Tales From Margaritaville - Tully Mars. Tully is a cowboy with a restless soul in search of a different life than the one he knows well on a ranch in Wyoming. His journey to the tropics is pure entertainment with a touch of introspection. This same character appears again in Buffett's novel A Salty Piece of Land and is inspiration for a character in today's song. Like the title suggests, our main character is out of place, as a cowboy in the jungle would be. Still, he figures out how to "plow ahead come what may" by adapting to his different environments, relying on his hunches, and rolling with the punches.

Image courtesy of
Goodreads.com

Buffett is somewhat of a misfit himself. Take his music. Plug in "Jimmy Buffett" or one of your favorite Buffett songs into a music app like Pandora or Spotify or Apple Music and let it create a list of songs for you. You'll get a mix as varied as the Texas landscapes and climate. You'll hear country, folk, rock, reggae, zouk, beach, surf and more. Not many singer-songwriters have their own brand of shrimp, clothing, tequila, retirement community, casino, restaurant...you get the picture.

Jimmy Buffett is atypical. He doesn't quite fit in. It works, though. Obviously.

After we hear of this out-of-place cowboy's exploits, we get a glimpse of Buffett the Unique as the tune continues. He pokes fun at typical tourists "trying to cram lost years into five or six days," claims to abhor swimming in "roped-off seas," and waxes eloquent about our short stay on this planet amidst the constellations and satellites while sailing alone on a "midnight passage."

Just a little encouragement that not fitting in is ok.

So, while I'm not a cowboy in the jungle, I can relate to Tully Mars. I'm still a beach bum, but I now prefer brisket to pulled pork. I love my cowboy hat, though I may wear it with Vissla shorts and a Hawaiian shirt. My cowboy boots are well-worn (not with shorts - I do have a line) as are my Wranglers (with a belt). And even though I stole away with my wife back to South Carolina, her family still accepts me for who I am. They are the best. Lyle Lovett pegs me when he sings "That's right you're not from Texas. Texas wants you anyway." Thank goodness.

So if you consider yourself a kindred spirit of mine and have wondered why the beat of your drum is a different cadence than that which you hear most everywhere else, kick back to today's tune "A Cowboy in the Jungle" and remember intuition can sometimes make up for blind ambition. It's the square peg/round hole idiomatic expression. Or is it round peg/square hole? Kinda silly either way.

Aloha, amigos!

MMTT4S - Fireworks: My Apology to the Nation

Captain’s log: A day or 2 after 4 July 2019; somewhere in I-20 headed west to Texas

Who would have thought Independence Day would have caused such an outrage? All across social media and news outlets, from talking heads and pundits, celebrities and unknowns, indignation was widespread. What have we, a nation once proud of its independence and freedom, evolved into? This non-issue really shouldn’t be a big deal. To think that the actions of one person could cause such an uproar was unheard of a year or two ago. I guess, that’s where we are in our tech-dependent country. I guess I should apologize for ruining everyone’s Fourth of July.

If I’d known not writing a blog for the most recent holiday would have had such negative repercussions, I would have made a more focused effort to publish some words of wisdom. Alas, I remained silent out of necessity and convenience, not having a clue that no blog from me would send the U.S. of A. into utter turmoil.

My country, please forgive me.

In my defense, I was busy, y’all. I’ve mentioned this before. I figured all of you were too busy to want to read my musings. Well, I was wrong. While I was extremely busy lazing about in the pool, grilling meat, making margaritas, and drinking margaritas (told you I was BUSY), Nike was pulling my sponsorship, Ted Cruz was denying any association with me, Alec Baldwin was appearing on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” in efforts to arrange Hollywood boycotts of my blog. I even heard there was a march or something in D.C., complete with tanks.

Everybody take a deep breath.

Even Betsy Ross took a break from her sewing to enjoy some time in the township’s swimming hole on a giant swan float, a hard cider in one hand and a grilled mutton role in the other.

In an effort to appease the masses and correct our perspective, here you go:

Lots of you still have fireworks left from the 4^th, correct? If not, all those stands that miraculously pop up at the end of June and advertise the "lowest prices, period" still have lots of product in stock, probably at buy 1 get 35 free. If you’re into an amateur, self-created, life-limb-and-property-endangering pyrotechnic extravaganza, then grab a bag full of rockets, poppers, flares, and cherry bombs, a lighter, and your imagination and read further.

Just don’t let this happen. Or this.

If you’re more of oyster than a pearl, and prefer to watch the show, you can read further as well.

If you’re a dog, you’ll probably not appreciate this post.

Image courtesy of Amazon.com

Jimmy Buffett is a self-proclaimed pyromaniac. Not criminally. He just enjoys a good fire, especially if it involves sending rockets soaring through the night sky, exploding into tails and blasts of various colors.

On his 1995 Barometer Soup album, he sings about a time he had the opportunity to be a guest bombardier on the island of St. Maarten with some friends who own a fireworks company in the French Antilles. That song is titled “The Night I Painted theSky.” No cryptic message here. Just a neat way to think about how our lower atmosphere looks at this time of year.

Image from CD booklet from Barometer Soup

So, sneak this tune into your patriotic playlist (maybe replace “Born in the USA” or “Pink Houses,” which are not all that complimentary of the American way) and enjoy the nighttime canvas a little while longer.

Now, can we all just get along?

Aloha, amigos and God Bless America!