Free For All

I'm not sure if this is included in any other compilation already mentioned, but I've always enjoyed this one. "Cabin Fever" -some solo tapes, pretty decent quality

MC Hammer Y.A. Tittle Stuart Little

Congrats, catesta! I've been going to the gym faithfully and am now down about 15 pounds (in two months). I've still got quite a way to go, but this is encouraging and I am going to stick with it. I haven't been on any extreme diet but have cut back portions and am not eating any fast food or drinking any pop. I haven't given up alcohol but have cut back there too. It really hasn't been that hard and I'm someone who doesn't like changing habits. My strategy is to make this a permanent change, not just 'til I lose weight, but for life. My favorite gym machine is the elliptical trainer, the one where you are in a running motion, arms pumping. It burns calories at a much higher rate than the treadmill and is very low-impact on the knees. I had been doing a half-hour on it every day (which amounts to about 550 calories) but felt I could go longer and am now doing an hour every day (1100 calories! Yippee!). Some days I really have do drag my ass to the gym, but I'm doing it. I'm inspired by others who are doing the same! Good luck all!

Really, we're ALL band people, now aren't we?

My "best": Tip:$100 (for the quintet) Request: "Baby Elephant Walk" Performance: Tune unreconizable after first 12 bars (it's actually a blues with a bridge, like "Locomotion", the only difference being that it's stupid). The band "took it out". Way out. Tipper: Somewhat mystified but came through with the $$ anyway Henry Mancini: Sorry, Hank

The Woody Shaw CDs are sure great though..........

That Trilok is such a nut! He sure swings his ass off though! I tend to avoid jazz musicians myself, but mostly because they always want to borrow money. Plus they tend to smell funny, like chicken soup or onions, you know. Just kidding, ben, I do get your point.

Of course, we all know "quaters never prosper".

Avery Schreiber Jack Burns Don Knotts

Isn't that the name of the Ecuador soccer team?

Complicated Rhythm, You've got me on the go! Complicated Rhythm, I'm all a-quiver. What a mess you're making! The neighbors want to know Why I'm always shaking Just like a flivver. etc., etc.................thank you, Mr. Gershwin. ...and how come there aren't any more "flivvers" in this modern world? I think we need a little more "flivvage" in our lives. But that's just me. Sorry spinlps, what was the question?

SharPei Diem?

Roy Hinkley David Brinkley Chet Huntley

Do you mean "sepia"?

I recently made some pulled pork in the crock pot and it came out great! This is done w/o any outdoor cooking, but it's still REALLY good! Just liberally season and cook your pork roast/loin/whatever in the crock pot. I usually add a little chicken broth and a dash of liquid smoke, and cook it for however long you have- I've done it for as little as four hours with excellent results- the longer the better though. With pulled pork, my feeling is that one of the main goals is to make it super tender, and I've not found any method more effective than the crock pot to achieve that. After it's done, let it cool a bit and then commence shreddin'. Here's where you can make it as lean/fatty as you want (I opt for super lean). I then return it to the crock with some BBQ sauce (your choice here)- I like our local brand "Gates" 'cause it's not too sweet, and the celery seasoning in it goes well with pork. If you like the sweeter sauces, go for it. Get some good buns and go to town. If you're doing a Carolina-type thing, put some slaw on top. If you have time/facilities to do it outdoors that's always great too, but I've never gotten it as tender outdoors as I do in the crock pot. The main advantage of doing it outdoors is the capability to smoke the meat, but I really think the indoor method works really well. Plus the leftovers keep well. It's a nice break from the usual holiday stuff.

We had a great day- we got up and went to the gym first thing- that's the first time I EVER went to any gym on a holiday! Then we had a great meal minus some of the usual sides- green beans instead of g.b. casserole, no rolls, etc. Then we took a walk after dinner. It felt good to "intercept" some of the caloric intake by doing some advance exercising. I've lost over ten pounds so far and I'm determined not to let the holidays ruin that. I also don't intend to eat nothing but rice cakes though! We did have this amazing dessert that Mrs. FFA made- kind of a baked chocolate pudding/cake with some chili powder and dark rum in it. It was AWESOME! I'm going to post the recipe when I get a chance. This weekend the Christmas tree and outdoor lights go up. Hope y'all had a good'un!

Up for a couple new additions: Diana Krall's Christmas Songs I've been enjoying this one, and John Clayton's arrangements sound great. June Christy's This Time Of Year I wasn't even aware of this one until recently. Pete Rugolo arrangements and kind of a melancholy vibe to the whole thing which I happen to like. I get burned out on Christmas music by Dec. 25th, so I get started early. Any other new additions that are worthy of perusal?

Wow, he's your brother-in-law?

Is that where the ever-popular term "getting reamed" came from? Since we're on the topic........

Up for this year's holiday. Mrs. FFA and I are staying home and cooking up some goodies, although with my current diet we're not going to go nuts. A few naughty pleasures, though........and the subsequent trip to the gym. Hope everyone has a great holiday and travel safely! ......oh, and one more thing.....as always, JUST SAY NO TO TURDUCKEN!

I think my first paying gig was when I was around 17 or so. I've been doing this for 30 years! Holy shit! And the pay is for the most part still the same (or worse) as it was then. I still love it though. Wouldn't have it any other way. I feel very fortunate to be doing something I truly love.

I wish my French was better.