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!

MMTT4S - Installment 4 - South of the Border (and not SC Pedro's Version)!

South of the Border

Unless you're a South Carolina native or a gullible tourist traveling through that state down I-95 (http://www.thesouthoftheborder.com/), that phrase once produced a sparkle of wanderlust - sleepy villages along the border or coast, cactus-dotted horizons framed by fiery sunsets, aromas of corn tortillas and spicy salsas. You just wanted to ride in on your trusty steed, be handed a plate of tamales and a crisp margarita by a pretty señorita, while a wholesome caballero kicked back beside you and played a haunting Spanish number on his 12-string gut guitar. Sounds of a fiesta a few blocks away. Maybe you'd join...maybe not. First, you'd simply desire to rest your dusty boots and turn the saddle sores over to the tequila.

...Under a vast blanket of stars. A few of which shoot across the deep navy vastness.

...With an occasional cry of a coyote in the distance. The nice kind of coyotes - not the dreaded nuisances we have today.

It conjured a flight to a rustic, simple place and time. Unlike today. No wall or cartel or 3 hour wait at the border crossing to worry about. No, this was an idealistic escape from the more modern rigors, glimmer, and speed of glitzy Hollywood, the Rat Pack Vegas Strip, and Madison Avenue.

I remember crossing into Juarez from El Paso with my wife and her parents and grandparents. We lived in Texas then and her grandmother wanted to go look for a piece of furniture, have a tasty meal, replenish her real vanilla extract, and just get away for a day. We actually drove in, though. I guess trusty steeds were not a viable option for the whole group. I don't recall hearing coyotes either. But the food was fabulous - probably TexMex for gringos like us. The margaritas were refreshing and strong. The smells and music were amazing. And I guess the furniture was good because we seldom left empty-handed. We did this more than once, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Although, according to an Al Jazeera report that claims the city is trying to make a comeback, which prompts a few laughable retorts in my mind given the irony, this is not on most people's travel agenda today (see this).

All of this Margaritaville musing simply leads us into today's Jimmy Buffett tune for the summer of '19 - "Mexico."

Yes, I know it was originally James Taylor's hit and he does it so very well in his recognizable, unique, smooth way. Admittedly, while some songs are iconic and define a performer or group and should probably never be remade, this is not one of those. Certain performers sort-of earn the right to add their spin to a classic. James and Jimmy are buds and collaborate on a few songs even. Although Buffett makes the song his with a fuller band sound and steel pans to "tropicalize" it a little, he obviously respects Taylor's tune.

It's a great remake. It's also fabulous live. "Mexico" can be found on Buffett's album Barometer Soup, his 19th studio album, and on a number of live albums as well. It's a popular choice at concerts for good reason.

So, if you suddenly find yourself south of the border, enjoy the kinder, gentler, more imaginative version. And maybe pick up a side table.

Image courtesy of itunes.apple.com

If you'd like to continue with the Mexican vibe, check out Jimmy's numerous other songs that have a Spanish influence. You can also hear similar tunes from George Strait ("The Seashores of Old Mexico"), Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown, Marty Robbins, Tim McGraw, Asleep at the Wheel, and many, many others.