Maryannaville™

Dec. 29: For the third straight day Israel has launched an attack in the Gaza strip targeting members of Hamas. What does this mean in the Middle East for peace? Rachel Maddow is joined by chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/28427276#28427276

,,

You can bet your ass that Maryannaville is concerned and worried. We remain emotionally attached to our loved ones in the Middle East and will continue being emotionally attached until who knows when. It’s just one of those things, I guess. I would give anything to be there with them right now, if I was wanted. I still have the never used luggage I bought for the trip 2 years ago. I’d be there in less than a New York minute. That is, if I was ever needed or truly wanted there.

Take it to the bank. It still won’t bounce.
Joseph, if you are able to see this, leave a message and I’ll give you a call.

There comes a point in life when there’s a realization as to:
Who matters,
Who never did,
Who never will and,
Who always will.

A sharp tongue can cut my throat.
If dreams are to ever come true, it helps to at least be awake.
Of all the things I wear, my expression is the most important.
The happiness of my life depends on the quality of my thoughts.

The heaviest load I can carry is a grudge.
One thing I can give away and keep at the same time is my word.
If I lack the courage to start, I have already finished.
One thing I can’t recycle is wasted time.

Ideas don’t work unless I do.
The mind is like a parachute. It functions only when open.
The pursuit of happiness is the chase of a lifetime. It is never too late to become what still may be.

Love the people who treat you right. Forget the one’s who don’t.
Everything happens for a reason.
If a second chance arrives, grab it with both hands.
If it changes your life, let it.

An American singer, songwriter, musician, and producer. Delaney & Bonnie and Friends was a rock/soul revue fronted by husband-and-wife singer/songwriters Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett.

Bonnie Bramlett (Bonnie Lynn O’Farrell, b. 8 November 1944, Alton, Illinois, USA) was an accomplished singer at an early age, performing with blues guitarist Albert King at age 14 and in the Ike & Tina Turner Revue at 15 – the first-ever white Ikette “for three days in a black wig and Man Tan skin darkener.” She moved to Los Angeles in 1967, met and married Delaney later that year.

Besides their recorded legacy, Delaney and Bonnie influenced many fellow musicians of their era. Most notably, Eric Clapton has said that “Delaney taught me everything I know about singing,”and Delaney has been cited as the person who taught George Harrison how to play slide guitar, an instrument Harrison used to great effect throughout his solo recording career. Bonnie, for her part, is credited as co-author of many popular songs, including “Groupie (Superstar)” (a Top 10 hit for The Carpenters in 1971; also covered by ex-Delaney and Bonnie backing vocalist Rita Coolidge, Bette Midler, Sonic Youth and many others) and Clapton’s “Let It Rain.” (Bonnie’s song authorship became a matter of dispute in recent years, with Delaney claiming that he wrote many of these songs but assigned ownership to Bonnie to dodge an onerous publishing contract – an assertion given credence, indirectly, through statements made by Clapton.

Below is the Delaney Bramlett trailer.

As an American jazz trumpeter, Hubbard was known primarily for playing in the bebop, hard bop and post bop styles from the early 60s and on. His unmistakable and influential tone contributed to new perspectives for modern jazz and bebop.

On December 29, 2008, Hubbard’s hometown newspaper, The Indianapolis Star reported that Hubbard died from complications from a heart attack suffered on November 26th this year. Billboard magazine reported that Hubbard died in Sherman Oaks, California.

R.I.P.

After all these years of finding every excuse in the world to not participate in the family gathering over the holidays, it’s now official, as you’ll soon read. Heck, all they needed to do was ask around. I’ve yet to meet at least one family who doesn’t have some sort of family issues brewing on the back burner.

Related:
Stuart Saves His Family (1995 comedy movie)
[Movie Trailer]

I have nothing to add to the fracas of what has already been noted since it broke loose. If I had my way, I’d have all the grand poobahs collect in an imaginary circle and have them go toe to toe until they got their fill of getting the shit beat out of them. No one would have any weapons other than their own turbo charged will to live. Once it comes to a head, I would then kick the ass of the only one left standing, just for good measure. However, here in the United States, if this tactic was exercised, I’d be in jail for child abuse.

Talk about another lame-ass cluster phuck. As you can see, my understanding of the ongoing crisis is as superficial as most Americans. It would be stupid of me to pretend otherwise.

The current situation is as unnerving now as it has been for generations. The area’s mentality seems to specialize in the creation of awful situations; in fact, it appears that they thrive on it. On the other hand, and I’ll admit that I may not be the brightest lamp burning on the block but I still don’t understand how anyone thinks that bombing the life out of the Palestinians is going to lead to peace. If Israel’s aim is to only target those in Hamas, collateral damage and the destruction of the rest of the olive branches is a sure fire way to create more terrorists. Egyptians are shooting at the one’s trying to escape. Israel’s defenses are proving nothing more than it would if it were shooting fish in a barrel.

Right click image for one Cosmo Girl’s personalized xmas carol.
[down boys, down!]

For many people, 2008 has been filled with personal and professional challenges. Therefore, I hope you’ll reach out to encourage those who may be going through difficult times. Sometimes a kind word at the right moment can change a life forever. There are times when I need to remind myself that life can be complicated, but happiness is really pretty simple. Like everyone else, I have doubts, fears and disappointments in my life, and need to remember what is most important. A little joy can be a wonderful thing!

Here’s to a healthy and happy-joy filled 2009!

Ms. Kitt played out her final performance today at the age of 81. It is reported that she was yet another victim of colon cancer.

R.I.P. Eartha.

And you wonder why men shouldn’t be left alone to decorate?

Just in case you haven’t heard.

Also:
A Santacon conference was in New York. Included was about 5,000 bar-hopping Santas with a few carrying wish lists from the big financial firms.
On the Street | Claused

“The difference between a man of sense and a fop is that the fop values himself upon his dress and the man of sense laughs at it. At the same time he knows he must not neglect it.”
*Lord Chesterfield

Tomorrow marks the birthday of the late great Frank Zappa. It is the finale of the annual blogswarm known as Zappadan. Click the image for a larger view. The proclamation is in pdf.

Mayor Sheila Dixon, mayor of Baltimore, Maryland has proclaimed that December 21st, 2008 is Frank Zappa Day. [pdf] ( December 21, 1940 – December 4, 1993) Zappa died from Pancreatic Cancer at home with his family by his side. The family announced to the world that Frank had left for his final tour. A private ceremony was held the following day. His grave was intentionally left unmarked in L.A.’s Westwood Memorial Park. On his second to the last interview he did for the Today Show in 1993, he said, “A memorium was a thing for a guy who was full of himself.” [the link is the actual interview] Zappa didn’t care if he was remembered or not.