50 is the new dead

As I get closer to 40, well-meaning people keep trying to tell me things like “40 is the new 30” and “you don’t look a day over 32”. That’s all fine and good if you believe it but I’m not taking the bait. Maybe I should since it seems 50 is becoming the new dead.

We’ve all heard the news about the death of Michael Jackson at age 50 from cardiac arrest (stay tuned for the inevitable revelation about some Hollywood doctor who over-prescribed meds) but breaking news just announced Billy Mayes has passed at age 50.

You know Billy Mayes even if you don’t know his name...he’s the pitch man for Oxyi-Clean and the co-host of the new show “Pitch Men”. The official news story mentions he hit his head during a rough plane landing (which may have contributed to his death) but what I want to know is “Where was the Sham-WOW guy?”

In my earlier post, I asked the all important question concerning Billy Mayes whereabouts while Vince was beating down his pay date but it was all in the name of humor…I’m sure Billy Mayes could care less about Vince. Knowing my blog reaches all corners of the world and has such influence, could Vince have stumbled upon it and taken my comments seriously? Hey Vince…it was a JOKE (much like your career and that jacket you were wearing at the ER).

Rest in peace Billy and Michael...50 is too young to head into sunset.

We are Motorhead…and we play Rock n’ Roll!

You’ve probably all seen (or maybe even read) one of those books on the 1000 places to visit before you die. That’s all fine and good if you’re rich and want to see really weird places but what about the 1000 things you should do before you die?

I’m sure the list would be unique to everyone but I’ve got an entry that should probably be on everyone’s list…seeing a live Motorhead show! I was lucky enough to catch them last year in NYC so checked that one off the list but swore I’d see them again…maybe even at the Wacken Festival.

Motorhead is a touring band and I was disappointed to see no US tour dates. My mind started to think about a trip to the UK to see them in Manchester (very cool!) but they are playing on Thanksgiving Day (bummer). Add in the fact I’ve made no travel plans and need to conserve cash for a trip out to SD later this year. As one who never gives up, I kept checking the page hoping for a break.

The break arrived this past Sunday as Motorhead announced a tour stop in Charlotte NC! Yes, the lads are going to be in my town for one night only and yours truly will be there to put a second check mark next to “See a live Motorhead show” on my life list. Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 AM EST and I plan to be in queue early to get my tickets.

Of course, I told the Wisnerd and he did exactly what I expected…started off excited and then started to find reasons to back out. I’d normally try to convince him but this time is different as I’ll go alone if I have to because I have to see the show. I wont be going alone this time even if the Wisnerd backs out…and my party guests will make the trip interesting indeed.

My neighbor (Solly) is also a Motorhead fan so picking up tickets for him. At his suggestion, I’ll be picking up a few extras as he knows several strippers who’d like to attend the show as well! Maybe I shouldn’t get a ticket for the Wisnerd as it means one less stripper for the group. Tough choice…could go either way!

The goal of the stripper entourage (besides hanging out with girls who take of their clothes at the drop of a hat) is to get us invited to the after party. Item 4 on the life list is to attend a Motorhead show but item number 3 is to party with the band (and get my picture made with Lemmy). I’ll do my part by getting the tickets and they can do their part by getting us all invited to the party. Sounds like a fair trade to me.

If you can’t make it to a show (with or without a stripper entourage), I highly recommend their concert DVD as it truly captures as much of the energy of the show as possible. The camera work is stellar as is the sound (only slightly edging out Tio’s Game for cinematography…nod to the GP!) and a steal at $15.

I’ll be a middle-aged guy at a rock concert but that’s OK because I may be getting older but I’m not dead…yet. I’ll continue putting checks next to the box as long as I can because they are Motorhead…and yes, they play Rock n’ Roll!

Photo Caption Contest #1

It's been awhile since the last post and I can blame it all on time off from work (blissful) and the subsequent return (torture). I was contemplating some weighty, insightful topic but decided on something a bit lighter...a photo caption contest!

Here's the photo:

Seems America's favorite airhead is satisfied by something "this big". Her brain? No...way too big. Her ego? No...way too small. The size of Todd's Alaskan 'pipeline'? Not even close. So what could it be?

Post your caption in the comments and I will select a winner! Of course, you get nothing for winning except being recognized as a winner. Here's my first caption to get things started:

"I once looked at the pictures in a book this big!"

Enjoy!