Let's "Get To Know" each other again

WARNING: No jokes ahead. Does that make this a 'serious' post? Not necessarily. Enlightening? Thought-provoking? Inspiring? I don't know. Probably not, but that's not up to me to decide. Read it and get from it what you will, if anything. Thanks.

A little over four years ago on this blog, I ran some interviews with people who identified with certain political ideologies. I don't know what purpose it served, but the intent was to demonstrate that there's a human element that bonds people on a deeper level than angry rhetoric.
Things seem to be nastier now than they were then. That's the perception anyway. So I thought it might be interesting to check in with the people we talked to then and see how they're doing now.
Here's how I led that off then:

"I don't know about you, but I've become pretty disillusioned with the political process, due in large part to what I perceive as a near-complete lack of civility and tolerance for opposing viewpoints and the people behind them...
With that in mind, I went on Twitter and asked for people who describe themselves as "staunch" liberals and conservatives to submit to a short list of questions for interviews that will be published this week. I wanted one of each and I simply selected the first of each to reply... There's absolutely no science involved, with no consideration paid to demographics or anything like that. It's completely arbitrary, like stopping the very first person you come across on the street and asking them what is on their mind. What's the point? I don't know that there is one. I certainly don't expect to change anyone's minds or philosophical ideals. I wouldn't even want to do that. If I were to dream really big, I would hope that a couple of people would read these and go forward thinking of those with differing opinions as human beings with their own valid reasons for believing the way they do."

You can check out the original interviews here, here and here.
Here's our panel...
Nancy P, who identified as Liberal in 2012
Chris C, who identified as Conservative in 2012
Sean H, who identified as A Self-Described Conservative At Odds With The So-Called Tea Party in 2012

Now, you're probably going to identify with one of these people more than the others and that's fine. Doing so is liable to put you at odds with the others, and that's also fine. But these are their personal opinions and they're entitled to them. You don't have to like what those opinions represent, but they're not wrong for having them. More importantly, please try to remember that these are human beings. You're going to be behind them in the check-out line at the grocery store, you're going to be sharing the road with them when you drive, one of them might help you find your lost dog. Keep all of that in mind. Thanks.


Before we get to the update, Sean is unable to participate this time around so his wife Tracey is tackling these on his behalf. Also, Nancy replied first, Chris replied second and Tracey replied third, in case you're wondering why they're in the order that they are.

Here we go...

Do you still consider yourself whatever you were (conservative, liberal, etc) four years ago?

NANCY: Yes, even more so.

CHRIS: My conservatism has not changed.  On the other hand my identification as a “Republican” has changed; I no longer am a Republican loyalist.

TRACEY: Yes, I solidly still identify with liberal causes.

If not, why not?
CHRIS: The GOP has lost its way somewhat, and seems to no longer be interested in fiscal responsibility or other traditionally conservative platform issues I believe are important.  As I read on the internet recently, “I’m for low taxes, strong defense and limited government.  Why doesn’t the Republican party want me?”




What's something that's happened since the last election that makes you happy?

NANCY:  2 things - 1. I'm very glad that all of my friends and family have the legal protection (and responsibility) of marriage, regardless of whom they love.  2. As a 60-year old cancer survivor whose employer does not offer benefits, I'm very happy that I can obtain health insurance.  Yes, it's expensive, but without ACA, I would be unable to buy insurance at any price.

CHRIS: a.   According to CATO, most states have balanced their short-term budgets.
b.   Fracking and domestic petroleum drilling has significantly dropped the price of petroleum.
c.   Electric car technology is getting better every day.
d.   General population gaining recognition of typographical and grammatical errors in everyday life.

TRACEY: The financial recovery of the country and the historic approval rating of President Obama.

What's something that's happened since the last election that makes you unhappy?

NANCY: The continued decline of civility between those with different opinions. I have to include myself in this, sometimes I've been very unhappy with how I've responded to people who think differently than I do.

CHRIS: a.   $15 minimum wage movement.
b.   Supposed prioritization of one race’s lives over all others.
c.   Notoriety given to protesting the National Anthem.
d.   Rise in the number of people that believe adding an apostrophe and an S to a word makes a plural.

TRACEY: The tragedy at Sandy Hook is something I think about daily, and has affected me in ways I couldn't have predicted.



A common sentiment is that this is the "worst election ever" in terms of the candidates. Agree or disagree, and why?

NANCY: It's a difficult choice.  Much more so than 4 years ago. Sure there are things about Clinton I don't like, no candidate is perfect.  But the alternative scares the bejesus out of me, even more than it did last election.  I was totally a Bernie supporter, but I know from the beginning that the only choice for me is the Democratic nominee.

CHRIS: I agree.  In this election, there are several third-party candidates (most of whom none of us recognize) and the two major party candidates are either the lying narcissist with ties to Russia, or the lying narcissist with ties to Russia.

TRACEY: In many ways, yes, because more so than any election in my memory, the focus is almost exclusively on personality, scandal, and very little, if any, policy opinions or issues have been debated or seriously discussed.

Without referring to your candidate's opponent for the sake of comparison, do you feel good and confident about your candidate as far as being qualified to do the job of president? Expound if you wish.

NANCY:  I do.  I feel she has the experience of a politician to be able to work with other parties, sides, opponents, etc to be able to get the job done in the best interest of the American people.  Being a career politician is not necessarily a bad thing.  That's how one prepares for the job of leader of the most powerful nation on earth.

CHRIS: As of the answering of this question, for the first time in my voting life I have yet to make up my mind for whom I will cast my ballot on November 8th.  Regardless of who receives my vote, I do have confidence on the candidate’s qualifications.  I believe this mainly because in today’s government process, the President-elect will have to surround him/herself with qualified advisors.  It is because of the reality of relying on those advisors I believe the President-elect will be qualified.

TRACEY: I do feel she is the most qualified and experienced for the office of the presidency, and am particularly confident in her foreign policy experience.

Again, without referring to your candidate's opponent for comparison, do you have any concerns about your candidate's shortcomings, if any?

NANCY: Of course, again, no candidate is perfect.  For some reason, people that dislike her or disagree with her really hate her.  I'm afraid that members of the other parties will be unlikely to work with her to reach compromises either to make a point or for fear of alienating their own constituencies. (did that stay within the rules?  I didn't mention the other candidate because he will not be part of the process going forward)

CHRIS: Similar to my previous answer, it will mainly boil down to the advisors the President-elect selects.

TRACEY: I am concerned with her ability to unify the country after the election.




Another common sentiment is that "we're more divided as a nation than we've ever been". Agree or disagree, and why?

NANCY:  Yes, it seems that there's no room for compromise on either side.  Every candidate is so afraid of losing a vote, they take the hard line dictated by the most extreme factions of their constituencies.  This is not just at the national level, I'm seeing it all the way down to county offices as well.

CHRIS: I don’t necessarily disagree, but I believe it has more to do with our collective inability to compromise.  Whether it’s because of social media or our shortening attention spans, I believe as a society we have lost the ability to see any benefit in the arguments on the other side of the political spectrum.  Whether it be the #BLM or #FreeMilo movement, hyperbole and demonization is the name of the game—because we seem to buy in to the argument of “I have to be right (correct) which means you have to be wrong.”

TRACEY: It certainly seems that way, but if current polling numbers hold true, then many places that lean solid red or solid blue turn more "purple", that might just be a catalyst for a more centrist era or at least more calls for crossing the aisle.




Are any of your relationships with friends and/or family members suffering due to disagreements over this election?

NANCY: I've said many times that I must have been adopted, my politics are so different from almost all of my family's.  And living where we do, it's only natural that many if not most of my friends are much more conservative than I am.  I try really hard to stay away from political discussions with people I care about, I learned that lesson in the last election.  What this means is that I often have to remove myself from situations with family and friends because I am not interested in arguing.  So yes, It has changed by relationships, in that I don't always feel I can discuss issues that are important to me without starting an argument or causing hard feelings.  And I'm resentful that I have to make this choice.

CHRIS: From my perspective they are not.  I have become more cognizant of my social media use, however—and have basically stopped posting any political information at all.

TRACEY: I have blocked or muted many on social media and or avoided any mention of the election with others. At this point, I don't think many are interested in discussion and nothing is going to change their minds. I find many of the "sources" quoted are either wrong, biased, or completely unfounded.

Are you at all dissatisfied with any specific aspects of the electoral process itself?

NANCY: I would definitely like to see Citizen's United overturned.  It's disgusting to me that a small group of very rich individuals can in effect buy an election because they have billions to throw away on it.  I also would like to see a shorter active campaign cycle.  Much shorter.  Like 3 months from declaration, then primaries, a convention and election day.

CHRIS: My dissatisfaction boils down to two aspects:
1.  I believe the election process involves too much technology.  It doesn’t take an extensive search of the internet to find stories about electronic voting machines being vulnerable to hacking or calculating votes incorrectly.

2.  I also believe there is no such thing as non-partisan news.  News outlets are in the business of selling news, and they’ll pander to the audience they feel will buy their news.  Therefore, the media plays too great a role in the election process.

TRACEY: I continue to be concerned and frustrated with congressional gerrymandering and voter ID laws.

This question is purposefully vague, but do you feel we as a nation, meaning specifically a collective of the people who live here, are heading in the right direction (feel free to define "the right direction" any way you want)?

NANCY: I'm very concerned about the intrusion of religion into every aspect of life.  The separation of church and state is becoming almost non-existent.  I don't want anyone judged on their faith or lack thereof.

CHRIS: No, I don’t.  There are several different reasons why, but I think most of the reason is we are no longer willing to work for success.  Society wants success handed to it:  all the benefits of success without the labor involved to get those benefits.

TRACEY: Yes. While change is slow, progress is being made on a number of social issues that I think are important, and I think dialogue has been opened on many others.




What's one thing that you're afraid will happen if your candidate doesn't win the election? 

NANCY: The erosion of relations with foreign countries, both allies and those who are not.  That is a recipe for disaster, in my opinion.

CHRIS: Loss of personal liberties such as (but not limited to) 2nd Amendment Rights, free speech, freedom to educate my kids as I see best, and economic doom.

TRACEY: While there have certainly been presidential elections that I didn't like the outcome, if my candidate lost I wasn't fearful for our nation. In this election, I truly worry economic, foreign relations, and constitutional crises of epic proportions. 

Happy "Maria Bamford's new show 'Lady Dynamite' premieres on Netflix today!" Day!

In honor of what I said in the headline above about Maria Bamford's new show "Lady Dynamite" premiering today on Netflix, and what I just said again about it, I proudly re-present the interview she gave me back in 2010! Please enjoy the interview and her show!

CLARK: Your comedy reminds me of Richard Pryor in that it's less about delivering set-ups and punchlines and more about telling stories, often with multiple characters. And you don't do celebrity impressions like Darrell Hammond or Frank Caliendo. Yet you're frequently associated with "doing voices". Why do you think that is and does it bother you?

MARIA: I "do voices", only about 5 or 6, and it doesn't bother me. I like doing them and it's fun to try new things; it helps change the jokes without rewriting them. : )

C: You've talked openly about dealing with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and other disorders and worked that into your material. You also furnish helpful links on your web site to resources for people seeking help with similar problems. Do you get feedback from people who see you as an advocate on their behalf?

M: I've gotten a few people write or tell me after shows that they have OCD or have been through a bad depression or had a friend or family member who had those problems and that it helped to hear that someone else out there had similar problems. The reason I put links up or talk about it is because it helps ME. Help me to help me, help me, help you, help me. It helps me to feel like I'm not alone (if people laugh at the material) and that I might be at all useful. The internet helped me find resources to fix this OCD problem I had for two decades and so, I figure, if it helps anybody, then, AWESOME.

C: Did you pick a side in Conan vs Leno?

M: Harrumph. I guess I picked Conan because Leno made a promise and the New York crew had all moved their families to LA and it just seemed so ridiculous, like, wouldn't you WANT to move on to a new format of show? And, Leno is less my sense of humor, though he's obviously really great at what he does. But, it's also business and business isn't personal to everyone. I like to know about numbers, but I hope that isn't everything. Oh well.

C: "The Maria Bamford Show" on SuperDeluxe (which is available in it's entirety in Maria's most recent album "Unwanted Thoughts Syndrome"); did you develop that concept as a web series or did it start out as someting else? I think it would have made a great movie.

M: It was a one-person show that I performed over a period of 3 years. Thanks for thinking about it as a movie. That's nice.

C: How long did it take to shoot and produce that series?

M: We made one a week, so, about 3 months.

C: How big a production was it (how many people involved?)

M: Two; myself and Damon (Jones) and then, we'd get notes from Superdeluxe, Dan Pasternack, who's now an executive at the Independent Film Channel.

C: Do you write every day?

M: I write these "Morning Pages" most every day, three pages of whatever is in my brain. I take a lot of days off and vacation from comedy and work, so in terms of writing jokes, I usually only write on work days, Monday through Friday or when I have shows out of town.

C: Do you write new material for your stand-up act exclusively or are there other projects you're developing?

M: Right now, yes, only for stand-up. I'd like to be a part of a greater project. I am going to be in a Sony Webbisode series with the Sklar Brothers. And I think of ideas sometimes, but haven't had the desire to go out there and PITCH.

C: For many comedians, the career arc to success seems to follow a path: successful stand-up --> sitcom --> book. Is that by design or does it just seem to work out that way?

M: After you have the career, maybe people want to hear what it was like. I read Kathy Griffin's autobiography and it is FAN-TASTIC. I really enjoy hearing about the ups and downs of other performers. Steve Martin's was wonderful too.

C: Do you think the stereotype of the "sad (or angry) clown" is mostly a myth or apt?

M: I bet everyone is sad or angry or whatever all the time, but comedians talk about themselves a lot more than non-comedians and negative feelings are probably more interesting in a bar setting than joyful, happy feelings- so, I think it's slightly mythological, but at the same time creative people are supposed to be more sensitive and comedy is an isolated, high-pressure profession where you can be yelled at by radio dj's and drunks, so you might see more of the sad, angry clown in their workplace. I know the guy who works at my corner Copper Keg Liquor Store is a Sad, Angry Clown.


C: A question I ask of every person I meet from Minnesota: What's Prince like?

M: This is all hearsay, but he is tiny. Pay it forward.

C: Growing up, did you have a mentor or role model who encouraged your creativity?

M: The Theatre teacher, Mr. Blackburn, this creative kids program in grade school and my parents always were pumped for whatever we were doing.

C: Did you listen to stand-up comedians when you were growing up? If so, any that you would consider influences

M: Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy and Prairie Home Companion were listened to regularly- and we watched Saturday Night Live every weekend. I still listen to PHC and watch SNL.

C: Do you still play the violin?

M: No! I let it go six years ago; finally accepted that I don't enjoy it.

C: How important do you think utilizing "social media" is for artists in general and comedians in particular?

M: I used to send out postcards and hand them out to people and now, people can find things out through friends more easily. I think it's important, but it also depends on what your vision or goals are. Maybe you're a steampunk comedian and you only find about about your shows through the Islamic Muezzin's call to prayer.


C: You gave fans a free special performance as a download for Christmas. I didn't get you anything in return. If I had, what would you have liked?

M: A couple of chickens.

C: Many comedy clubs have "wacky" names. If you owned a club, what would you call it?

M: The Broads-way- LA's Only Ladies Only Comedy Club!


"Lady Dynamite" is on Netflix and airs anytime you want, because it's on Netflix.

Interview: Michael "Jordi Scrubbings" Lortz

Have you ever been out and about and seen somebody running around in an Afro wig and thought, "what the hell is wrong with that kid"? Well, The Ridiculously Inconsistent Podcast is back and this month's installment is an interview with Tampa Bay bon vivant, and sometimes guest contributor here on the old-timey Trickle blog, Michael Lortz, also known to many as Jordi Scrubbings. Huh? Don't worry, all that is explained in this month's T.R.I.P. Check it out.

Also, a bit of pluggery, The Ridiculously Inconsistent Podcast is now available via iTunes! Just click this link or open up the program, go to the "Podcasts" section in the iTunes store and search for it by name or just use by my name, "clark brooks" and you'll find it. Download and listen to old episodes and subscribe for new ones. Best of all, it's free!

Now all up inside of your iTunes, baby!

Interview: Spike "Spike on the Mic" Slater

The podcast was so nice, we're doing it (at least) twice!
That's right, once again we take a break from the keyboard and get behind the microphone with the return of The Ridiculously Inconsistent Podcast (or TRIP if you like unintentionally cool acronyms). This month, in honor of Black History Month, I'm talking to an actual black guy, a guy who is no stranger to the microphone, the legendary Spike Slater. Spike is the host of the award-deserving "Spike on the Mic Show"*, a show that I appear on fairly regularly, but he's been a part of the local radio landscape here in Tampa Bay for the better part of the last decade. He's also the last black man to kiss me.

Give this one a listen and learn how the two of us tackle all of the issues between white and black people (mixed results, at best) as well as all kinds of things you didn't know about Spike himself. THIS is the definitive Spike interview (in case there are other ones out there).

Click here to check it out.

* On a related note, consider this your personal invitation to check out the "Spike on the Mic Show" itself. We broadcast live from Pin Chasers Bowling Center at 4847 N. Armenia Avenue in Tampa Monday nights at 7PM. You can pick it up live at www.spikeonthemic.com. You can be a part of it by calling in at (813) 66SPIKE (813.667.7453). Not only that, but you can also join us in person! We do it at a bowling alley, so you can get food and beer and stuff. Why not? It's good times. If you haven't listened before, you'd be doing us a favor because we're only 189 unique viewers from 2000, a mark we're trying to hit before March 1st because there's a prize or something. I really have no idea.

Smells like school spirit

CEO Katie Masik

The other day, I received this email:

Hi Clark,


I was wondering if you’d be interested in covering Masik Collegiate Fragrances.

Masik recently collaborated with University of Florida and Florida State to create an official men's cologne and women's perfume for the schools. The science behind these signature scents is inspired by elements like school colors, campus style, flowers and trees, traditions and location. The hope is that these original scents will remind people of the past - long after days on campus come to an end, alumni and fans can smell that special scent and be reminded of that unique time – the campus, the sporting events, the traditions and most of all, the memories.

The way it works is Masik pitches their perfumers a ‘fragrance brief’ that outlines the school’s specific elements along with pictures of the university campus, sporting events, students and alumni. Once Masik formulates scent options for the school, the universities conduct smell sessions to determine which fragrances they like best – these scents then become the official men’s and women's fragrance for each school.

Would you be interested in a sample for consideration or speaking with the CEO Katie Masik? I’ve included links below to view the fragrance line along with a video to learn more about Masik.

Well, of course the answer to all of those questions is yes, because what is this blog about if not style and fashion and smelling nice and higher education but mostly free stuff for me? I also really wanted to use that headline up there. So I interviewed Ms. Masik last week and that went like this:

ME: Can you tell me a little bit about your company and what you do?
KATIE MASIK: We started this company to create collegiate fragrances a couple of years ago and started out with Penn State and North Carolina. Now we've expanded the line to 17 schools, to include the two in Florida, the University of Florida and Florida State. We worked with the individual schools to create their scents and we kind of go through the same process with each school. We look and we research things like school colors and the campus as far as the trees, the landmarks, the architecture and the overall style of the school. And then we create the signature scent of the school. The schools are actually involved in selecting the fragrances they like the best.
ME: How do you turn colors into a fragrance?
KM: We can use Florida and Florida State University for example. If you look at the University of Florida, obviously the orange and blue, we pulled a lot from the orange color for Florida. So we used scents like mandarin, mimosa flower, citrus, things that are orange scents. For a school like Florida State you have the garnet and gold so that garnet color inspired apple and pomegranate scents. And then for the gold, with the women's we added a golden amber. And in the men's, a very subtle pineapple and those colors translated to those scents that way.
ME: I didn't go to either school but my understanding is that those people are, um, not fond of each other.
KM: They do! They hate each other. Just like Auburn and Alabama, and we do fragrances for both of those schools too.
ME: So wouldn't the true mark of success be if a Florida State person smelled the Florida fragrance, they would just go nuts with rage?
KM: That would be ideal, but I don't know that that always happens. Hopefully, it does, just by seeing the logo, it angers them.
ME: That's very cool! When does this product hit the market?
KM: It's on the market now. All of our retailers are listed on our web site and we have a department store exclusive with Belk.
ME: Now, I never got into college because those institutions discriminate against dumb people but I think a fragrance aimed at somebody like me would consist of desperation and fear, not wanting to disappoint my parents along with questionable hook-ups plus beer. How much of these collegiate fragrances rely on things like that?
KM: Um, I'm sure you could use your imagination but none of those things actually made it into any of our fragrances. Those not-so-positive and exciting experiences would definitely bring back memories but it's not something you want to smell like all day, that's for sure.
ME: For lack of a better term, are these "experiential fragrances", are these representative of a new trend? Is that something anybody has done outside of the college experience?
KM: When we launched the line, we sort of looked at the market place and I'd always wanted to do a fragrance different from what you already find out there. And at that time, it was a lot of celebrities and fashion designers. You know, scent is linked to memory. So there is definitely science behind smelling things and being part of a memory or an experience and bringing that back and that was the concept we built on.
ME: Like, could you do a Tampa fragrance or a Pittsburgh experience?
KM: Oh sure! I've seen some of that out in the marketplace in recent years. I know there's a line here in New York that I love called Bond No. 9. They do fragrances for different New York City neighborhoods. They do one for Bryant Park and Chinatown and various areas in New York. Pretty cool concept.
ME: Isn't the fragrance world really super competitive.
KM: It's extremely competitive! Which is why as an entrepreneur looking at corporate America, I thought, "wow, I really need to do something totally different". Because I'm not a celebrity, I'm not a fashion designer. There are so many different fragrances that launch each year, it's really hard to come out with a winner that is something different that people embrace. The market is quite saturated with fragrances.
ME: Are you looking for celebrities to endorse these fragrances or is it not necessary because the alumni appeal is so strong that you don't need to go that route?
KM: We're certainly open to it. We've had a few sports agents reach out to us looking for endorsements and things like that. We tried to send bottles from time to time to certain alumni as gifts but we haven't really actively approached it. Of course, if there's some high-profile alumni out there, like an actor or an athlete, who'd like to wear our fragrances and say nice things about it, we'd certainly be open to it!
ME: And without getting into specific sales figures, how are things going? Are you pleased?
KM: Yeah, we are. We had a great fall. We launched for the first time in a major department store with Belk. You never know what to expect going up against brands with huge advertising budgets and celebrity endorsements and things like that. But we've really been able to hold our own and its going very well with Belk, so we're really happy. I feel very fortunate actually.
ME: Any other schools launching fragrances soon?
KM: I can tell you, some brand spanking new ones we've rolled out are Kentucky, Ole Miss, NC State, Texas A&M, Princeton and South Carolina. And we're in talks with some schools in California right now.
ME: Do you ever worry about people from rival schools infiltrating your focus groups and giving intentionally bad input? 
KM: We do the test sessions on campus, so if we we're on the Auburn campus and an Alabama fan were somehow able to get in there and try to steer things in the wrong direction, I guess that could happen. But we try to take steps to make sure the people we're talking to have the school's best interests at heart.
ME: You wouldn't want some Michigan fan as part of the Ohio State test group saying things like, "needs more poop".
KM: No, so far we haven't had anything like that happen. Although, a lot of people on the North Carolina campus suggested we launch a Duke Puke fragrance.


For information about Masik Collegiate Fragrances, and participating retailers, or to buy direct, click here.

Interview: Rebekah Pulley

It's probably a subjective statement but it's not a stretch to say that Rebekah Pulley is the most celebrated, popular and talented singer/songwriter in Tampa Bay. She's won five "Best of the Bay" awards, she performs in front of packed houses all over town and she's preparing to release her fifth album of all original material, titled Tra La La. She has launched a Kickstarter campaign to pay for production costs of the new album, a campaign that reached its initial goal within 30 hours of being launched. Of course, you can still contribute and take advantage of some pretty sweet perks (word is that Rob Pastore's eggplant parmesan is really very good). Here, Rebekah talks about songwriting, musicians (and non-musicians) she's worked with and on her evolution into a fancy lady who isn't above using goons to get a good table at local restaurants.  


When do you know it's time for a new album?

I am always working on a CD. As soon I release this one (Tra La La), I will start writing for the next one. If I'm not working on a CD I feel like I'm not being productive.


Do you write all the time, stockpiling material, or just when inspired?

I write all the time about everything. I've always kept journals since I was a young kid. However, I am definitely more profound and write my best material when I am inspired by some event.

I understand there are horns on this album and that's new for you. Did you write the horn parts and is that difficult?

I wrote the horn parts, note for note, on a song called, Sway. I used a midi keyboard with corny horn sounds to write the arrangements on a computer, the computer then translates the notes into written music that can be printed out. I read and write music very slowly and I wrote the three-part horn harmonies as I would a three-part vocal harmony. When it came time to actually record the horn parts, I quickly discovered that just because a midi keyboard can play a certain note, it doesn't mean the musician can play it on a real instrument. So some little adjustments ended up being made here and there, but I have to say that the horn players rose to the occasion and came pretty damn close to the melody lines I had in mind. The other songs with horns were an 'on the spot' trial and error type of thing. I'd hum a melody and they'd play it or they improvised parts based around the ideas.


Any other new/different things on this album?

Rob (Pastore) is playing the pedal steel all over the place on it, and I love it! Also this is the first time I've used the piano in place of an acoustic guitar as the dominant rhythm instrument. I played a bit of accordion on the CD, which was fun. There are some pretty interesting harmony arrangements that I also had a ton of fun putting together. Rebecca Zapen, an amazing violinist, played on several songs.

Rebecca Zapen?!? She's one of my favorites! Can you talk about working with her?

Rebecca is really talented and professional. I think she may have been the only musician that actually listened to the songs before they came over to record their parts. She actually had her songs charted out and knew exactly what she was going to play when she walked in the door. Aside from that, she has great tone and knows how to play to a song's strengths. I was really impressed and would love to work with her again.

Our old buddy, Rebecca with two C's!

Is there a central, recurring theme to this album?

Not that I can think of, although there was an alternate album in the works before I started Tra La La with a water theme. Unfortunate, Sway was the only song that made it out of that endeavor alive.

Who are the musicians you worked with on this album?

Rob Pastore (bass, pedal steel, harmonies), Max Norton (drums), Rebecca Zapen (violin), Ryan Arsenault (piano and organ), Jim Moery (trumpet), Ryan Wendall Bauer (Wurlitzer), Dave Russell (t-bone), Joe Terrana (sax), Steve Conelly (guitar), Jasmine Conrad (harmonies), and of course myself (vocals, guitars, piano, accordion).


In your Kickstarter video, there are pictures of you all decked out as a fancy lady. Are you going to go all big time on us now, fancy lady?

Of course I am! Honestly, my daughter, Jasmine Conrad, did my hair and make up, and she took all the promo pictures too. She’s 18 now and really good at that sort of thing. I’d walk around in my boyfriend’s boxers and a t-shirt all day if I were allowed to. Jasmine’s best friend, Samantha Mendez drew the Tra La La picture phrase in a note to my daughter. I saw it on the bathroom floor and thought, Hey, that’s a great name for a CD.

Are there musicians you haven't had the chance to work with that you want to?

I’m sure there are but I can’t think of any off the top of my head.


Do you remember when I was a member of the band "Chinese Mary Jane" for a short time (one song)? That was awesome!

Yes I do, and you were superb!

Me, being superb!

Ronny Elliott says nice things about you all the time. Anything nice you want to say about him?

Ronny is my songwriting mentor. I have looked up to him for many years as a songwriter I aspire to. I am an ardent fan of his lyrical stories. He is a dear friend and I am honestly not sure that I would still be playing music if it weren’t for him. He can take three chords and a simple melody structure and create a three-minute masterpiece. I don’t get people that don’t get what he does.

Rebekah and Ronny

People in general say nice things about you all the time. What's that like?

Embarrassing and flattering. I would be depressed if no talked about me, I am needy like that.


Ever walk into a restaurant where there's a wait to be seated and yell, "I'm Rebekah Pulley, damn it!"

No, I never have, I think you are thinking of Vanity (Styles)!!

Yeah, probably

Ever had a goon rough up a photographer?

Ha! No, but I’ll get to work on it!

Would you classify Rob Pastore as a goon?

Not until he starts roughing people up.

Rebekah and not a goon.

Again, you can make a contribution to the Tra La La project via Kickstarter here. You can check out where Rebekah is playing soon and pick up copies of her previously released material at her web site.

Get to know A Self-Described Conservative At Odds With The So-Called Tea Party

Our S.D.C.A.O.W.T.S.C.T.P's name is Sean Henry. He is 44 years old and says his job is to "sell some tickets and a few hot dogs" in "Smashville", which means he is the President/COO of the NHL's Nashville Predators. In the interest of full disclosure, he used to be one my many, many bosses.


Why do you consider yourself a conservative or liberal? A liberal conservative

Have you always been a conservative or a liberal?
I thought I was right of center a few years ago, but now as the pendulum has swung, I am pretty liberal.

Do you believe the other guys are bad people?
I think they show bad traits in trying to harness the far, far, far, far tea-bagged right.

Do you think the other guys have any good ideas at all?
Of course, lost often in their sound bites and political games.

Do you regard them as inferior in any way?
I do when it comes to social concerns.

Would the world be a better place if they simply didn't exist?
No, because you need a bad guy to have a good one; hello, ever watch superhero movies?

Why is their opinion fundamentally flawed? Greed and hate is not something that can make us a better country.

Do you see any flaws in the philosophies you believe in?
Of course, but my flaws hurt the few to benefit the masses.

Is there any point in taking opposing viewpoints into consideration?
There is when talking about solutions to create something better, but not to sacrifice just to compromise.

What would you say is your one biggest problem with the other guys?
Their desire to be back in power and that they are willing to align their views with anyone; see McCain in 2008.

Is it more important to you that the causes and candidates you support win or that the opponents lose?
I like winning. Someone has to lose though, so I am happy when it is not me.

Do you honestly believe that victory for your candidates and causes in elections is what's best for the greater common good of everyone, whether they necessarily like it or not, and if not, is satisfying the needs of a select few good enough?
No satisfying the masses should be the goal. The rest confuses me.

Do you take pleasure in seeing your opponents lose?
See above. Of course, because it means I won.

What do you think your strongest reaction will be if a majority of your candidates and causes don't win? * I would be saddened for our future.

What do you think about pizza?
C'mon, it's just like something else. There is no bad pizza but New York style is the best kind. If you can't fold it you are in the wrong region.

What's one thing you think the other guys simply do not/can not/will not understand about you and your beliefs?
That people really dont want to live in poverty, or that higher taxes will make rich people stop working.

Do you think they like pizza?
Yes, with tea bags on it.

What's one thing you think you simply do not/can not/will not understand about the other guys and their beliefs?
See above.

Can you envision a scenario where you and the other guys could sit down and enjoy a pizza together?
Every day at lunch, at work.



* I realize this question is not phrased well. What I wanted to know was if anybody planned to move to Canada or load up on guns and ammo or any other really stupid kneejerk reaction. I was pleased that nothing like that came up.

Get to know A Conservative

Our Conservative's name is Cory Miller. He is 41 years old and is a Captain in the Air Force, stationed at Travis Air Force Base in California.

Why do you consider yourself a conservative?
Though classical liberalism is my ideal, and lately I've been tending to be libertarian, I consider myself mainly a conservative because I believe government is not the answer to societal ills. I believe, if given the chance, the innovative and creative intelligence and genius of the American people will drive the Nation towards economic and societal recovery.


Have you always been a conservative?
For as long as I've cared about politics, yes, I have.

Do you believe the other guys are bad people?
There are extremes in every niche of the political spectrum, but the majority of liberals are not bad people. I count many in my "inner circle"; several of my good friends and my favorite aunt are all liberals.

Do you think the other guys have any good ideas at all?
The ideas they have are usually in the interest of bettering the country, I just believe their ideas to be the wrong way to go. There is some compromise that needs to happen in all ideas.

Do you regard them as inferior in any way?
No.

Would the world be a better place if they simply didn't exist?
No. The country was founded on the idea that no one person has the answer, and so dialogue is, I believe, vital to our political process, so long as civility and kindness are bestowed upon the opponent by both sides of the political debate/discussion.

Why is their opinion fundamentally flawed?
I believe it to be flawed because government is not the answer to everything. Further, I would argue the government is the answer to very little. Additionally, excessive income taxes of the most wealthy are not the answer to bring the lowest income class to prosperity.


Do you see any flaws in the philosophies you believe in?
Only a naive person wouldn't see flaws in their political beliefs.

Is there any point in taking opposing viewpoints into consideration?
Absolutely, more people involved cannot be a bad thing so long as they're interested in actual dialogue instead of aggressively pushing their dogma.

What would you say is your one biggest problem with the other guys?
My biggest issue with the opposition is actually with their views on tolerance. They claim the conservatives (Christian conservatives, in particular) are intolerant, then react with intolerance to the very people they accuse of being intolerant.

Is it more important to you that the causes and candidates you support win or that the opponents lose?
Candidates winning is more important.

Do you honestly believe that victory for your candidates and causes in elections is what's best for the greater common good of everyone, whether they necessarily like it or not, and if not, is satisfying the needs of a select few good enough?
Yes.

Do you take pleasure in seeing your opponents lose? Like a hockey game, there is an amount of pleasure in seeing political opponents defeated, but like the hockey game, it's a better feeling for the candidate/cause I support to win.

What do you think your strongest reaction will be if a majority of your candidates and causes don't win? *
Disappointment.

What do you think about pizza?
It can be good, but can be horrible.

What's one thing you think the other guys simply do not/can not/will not understand about you and your beliefs?
That conservatives do care for people even though we dislike governmental social programs.

Do you think they like pizza?
Probably--though I would say only the veggie-lovers. (KIDDING!)

What's one thing you think you simply do not/can not/will not understand about the other guys and their beliefs?
Why they don't allow conservative views into dialogue without spite or venom.

Can you envision a scenario where you and the other guys could sit down and enjoy a pizza together?
Absolutely. As I said above, I have several friends that are liberals.


* I realize this question is not phrased well. What I wanted to know was if anybody planned to move to Canada or load up on guns and ammo or any other really stupid kneejerk reaction. I was pleased that nothing like that came up.

Get to know A Liberal

Our Liberal's name is Nancy Pacini and she lives in Brandon, Florida. She is 56 years old and works as a Permitting tech for Home Depot At-Home Services.

Why do you consider yourself a liberal?
Because I believe that there are enough resources in our nation to be shared by all of us, and by sharing those resources we can improve the condition of each of us individually, thereby strengthening the nation as a whole.

Have you always been a liberal?
Yes, even though I grew up in Chicago in a Democratic, middle class, pro-union family, my family was actually very conservative when it came to social issues. As I became older, I became more and more liberal. Issues such as reproductive rights, desegregation, equal opportunity, etc became very important to me, especially as I became less and less enchanted with my conservative Lutheran upbringing, eventually recognizing myself as an atheist.

Do you believe the other guys are bad people?
Not necessarily. I do however feel that there is a ‘me first’ mentality in conservatives, as if providing opportunities and freedoms for others is somehow taking away something from themselves.

Do you think the other guys have any good ideas at all?
Of course. I would like to see a balanced budget.

Do you regard them as inferior in any way?
Not necessarily inferior, perhaps unconcerned with how their policies affect others

Would the world be a better place if they simply didn't exist?
No, but I think the balance of power is way out of whack.

Why is their opinion fundamentally flawed?
Because our country was founded on the ideals that all people should have the opportunity to better themselves and their families. The more conservative our policies become, the fewer the opportunities for common people. I also believe that this country is made up of immigrants, and that current and proposed immigration policies negate one of the fundamental aspects of the origins of this country, the United States is no longer the place that welcomes ‘the tired, the poor, the huddled masses longing to be free’.

Do you see any flaws in the philosophies you believe in? There is difficulty with balancing the capitalistic with the altruistic, merit with need.

Is there any point in taking opposing viewpoints into consideration?
Yes, of course. Everyone has a valid viewpoint, it’s a matter of finding a compromise. There’s a big difference with the way I believe things should be, and what I am actually willing to live with.

What would you say is your one biggest problem with the other guys?
I have a hard time with the close-mindedness, the unwillingness to treat the opposition with respect. I’m appalled at the way the President is portrayed, with so little respect even for his office, let alone him as a person.

Is it more important to you that the causes and candidates you support win or that the opponents lose?
I have to take a positive view of it, so I would say it’s more important that the issues I believe in prevail, therefore I want my candidates to win.

Do you honestly believe that victory for your candidates and causes in elections is what's best for the greater common good of everyone, whether they necessarily like it or not, and if not, is satisfying the needs of a select few good enough?
Yes, I do believe that liberalism is best for the greater good. I definitely do not believe that satisfying the needs of the few is beneficial to this country, and the world, as a whole.

Do you take pleasure in seeing your opponents lose?
Again, I’d rather take a positive view and take pleasure in seeing the candidates and ideals I believe in succeed.

What do you think your strongest reaction will be if a majority of your candidates and causes don't win? *
Concern that we are seeing the end of the middle class as we have come to know it.

What do you think about pizza?
Even bad pizza is better than no pizza at all.

What's one thing you think the other guys simply do not/can not/will not understand about you and your beliefs?
That I can be a good and honorable person and an atheist at the same time.

Do you think they like pizza?
Everybody likes pizza, but we each like different things on it, don’t we?

What's one thing you think you simply do not/can not/will not understand about the other guys and their beliefs?
The lack of concern about how their ideals negatively affect so many others.


Can you envision a scenario where you and the other guys could sit down and enjoy a pizza together?
Of course, I have done. I have many conservative friends.


* I realize this question is not phrased well. What I wanted to know was if anybody planned to move to Canada or load up on guns and ammo or any other really stupid kneejerk reaction. I was pleased that nothing like that came up.

Interview: Jen "Dirty Jenny" Leigh

Long-time readers of this blog may remember me getting all excited about a musician I found on MySpace (remember MySpace?) named Jen Leigh. Well, I've kept in touch with Jen since then and I'm very pleased to announce that she's ready to release her first album (actually an EP). "Dirty Jenny" has worked with what's best described as an eclectic mix of national acts, including legendary funk icon George Clinton and P-Funk, the Grammy award winning Sweet Honey In The Rock, R n B diva Kelis, with whom she performed on Saturday Night Live, and many more. She was in a band, Big Sister, that released an album entitled ‘So Hi How Are You’ which received a 3 ½ star review from Rolling Stone magazine. But 'American Bulldog', due out some time in August, is her first solo release. What better way to celebrate this achievement than submitting to an interview with me on this blog? Let the questioning commence!


Your first album! How long have you been working to make this moment happen?
Well, it's actually a six-song EP. Ha ha! But I still refer to it as my album/record. I've always been more of a "band" person and player, having been in BIG SISTER, plus all my previous bands in Connecticut. But releasing music that is all me, solo, if you will, has been my goal since I moved to L.A. in 2004.


I've been watching your status updates (on Facebook) and I'm expecting you to rock but are we going to get some funk in there too?
Yes! Absolutely! The songs are really a mixture of rock, funk, blues and a little pop.


Who's playing with you on the album?
My buddy Shawn Davis played bass on most of the record. I played additional bass on a few tracks. He currently tours with Nikka Costa, which pretty much lets you know how uber bad-ass and funk-tastic he is. Ha ha! Sheryl Crow's current drummer, Victor Indrizzo played drums and percussion. He has recorded and toured with everybody from Alanis (Morisette) to Macy Gray, Beck and more. And some chick named Dirty Jenny sang and played lots of guitars and keyboards. Oh, and I have to thank my friends who were nice enough to come sing and clap on a "gang/party" vocal bit at the end of  "Never Left Home"-SAP (Scott Allen Perry), Tracy Nicole Chapman and Cole Ynda. They rock.


Speaking of SAP, are there going to be videos and if so, can we expect any Perry Brothers zaniness?
That is the plan. SAP and I have talked about making videos forever. Right now, it is a logistical thing as he no longer lives in LaLa Land. But he is the ONLY person to make my video(s) for these songs. So, yes, Perry Brothers zaniness will be a-plenty when the time comes. By the way, I should also mention that SAP co-wrote two of the songs on my EP; "Flang Flang" and "Stress Bitch". We are like two peas in a pod creatively.

Oh yeah. These guys.

When did you start playing the guitar?
I started playing when I was 13. I was seriously obsessed with the guitar and music from day one. ;-)


Has being a female and left-handed presented challenges?
Yes and yes. I'm actually right-handed, but I play guitar lefty-strung either way. It was always more comfortable for me playing that way and I didn't know any better so I just went for it, not realizing then how much more difficult it would be down the road finding great, quality instruments. That is the worst part of it honestly. Most companies make crap guitars lefty, if they offer any at all. At this point, other than Japanese-made Fender Mustangs, I build my own, or have luthier friends custom build axes I design. It's a drag, but you get used to it.
On the female tip...well, you know the obvious response there. A lot of folks STILL find it hard to believe that a woman can actually play the instrument AND solo as good as, or better than, a man! It's our society and all the lovely double standards and stereotypes that exist in it. It's all ridiculous. At the end of the day, just be yourself and let your talent shine. Cream always rises to the top; it doesn't matter what's between your legs!


Who were some of your influences growing up?
My main influences growing up were Jimi Hendrix, P-Funk, The Meters, Led Zep, Sly (Stone), AC/DC, The Runaways, Wendy and Lisa. I am partial to '60s and '70s music still; classic rock, old soul and funk. That's what I love most. I also grew up with a lot of hard rock, so guitar was everywhere, unlike today where big nasty guitars seem to be a lost art. Such a shame.


How is Spiral doing?
She is doing wonderful, thanks. She'll be 14 months old in a few days, so she's still a baby by all accounts. In the bully world that equals STILL STUBBORN!! Ha ha! I waited over three years for her since my last AB passed. All I talked about was wanting a new bully. I think I drove most of my family and friends nuts there! In the end, it was all worth the wait. I am beyond blessed with her. I got EVERYTHING I dreamed of in an American Bulldog. She is the bomb and quite a character.

Guess who the album is named after?

Anything else you want to add?
I'm just excited for people to hear these songs and rock out to 'em. They're all very personal to me.


Oh, and a final bonus question: Since I've been following your career so long (going back to MySpace days), when I come to one of your shows, exactly how much of a big-timer will I be allowed to act like with my backstage pass?
You can act like a total diva, Clark! VIP!! Ha ha ha!


Dirty Jenny's AMERICAN BULLDOG will be released some time in August (final preparations are taking place now) and will be available on Jen's web site, http://www.jenleigh.com/ and also on her page at bandcamp.com, plus iTunes, Amazon, etc. An update with links and stuff will be posted here on the blog when that's all ironed out.

Interview: Marissa Rapier

If you recall the months of madness that were Muffinquest (and honestly, how could any of us possibly forget?), you may remember that I made some promises. Well, I'm just now getting around to making good on those promises. Which is why today's blog post is an interview with writer/fitness advocate/actress/scientist/mom and anti-cancer warrior in her own rite, Marissa Rapier, the pride of Kankakee, Illinois. Hers is among my all-time favorite blogs and I've been following it (and her) for a long time so she has definitely been an influence and inspiration to me. So why did she agree to get involved with Muffinquest and put herself at risk of being "rewarded" in this fashion? "I HATE CANCER. It was a no brainer to donate to your cause. Currently my sister lives with it. She's gone through two rounds of chemo and the bastard tumor refuses to move out. It is less active. So, that's a good thing. She manages to find joy in living in spite of issuing numerous eviction notices to the beastly offender. A real inspiration to those who tend to piss and moan about life being so unfair in the face of trivial matters."

How long have you been blogging and what got you started?
I think it all began late in 2007 on Blogger. Originally, it was named "Mental Origami." I quickly learned that there were other blogs with the same name. Since the moniker WILDHAIR is what I'd been known as in the AOL Chat room world, it seemed a more likely title. That's when I added Wildhair. It is based on a nickname a guy gave me when I lived in Georgia.It is literally about my hair, which was long and curly at that time, not that wild hair we all tend to have up our butts.



Your blog, Marissology, is subtitled "Love, life and pursuit of the perfect bra". How goes the search?
Oy! What a task. Neither love nor bras seem to be found locally. The fit is never right. Nothing seems available for my unique needs. I search online and hope that what I what I find will be suitable. Unfortunately, upon first inspection, the pictures and descriptions don't live up to what exists in reality. I typically keep what arrives and hope that a fondness will grow even though it feels binding or uncomfortable. Eventually, the discomfort outweighs the perks. I ditch it and go in search of a more suitable fit. Due to what seems an impossible quest, I've begun my collection of unicorns tchotchkes and cats. I'm thinking kaftans and turbans will be suitable in case I throw in the towel on hitting my goal weight. No bras required!

Bra (metaphor)

Your blog used to be titled "Wild Hair". What happened?
My involvement in Beachbody convinced me Wildhair wasn't a good 'brand' name. Due to that I bought the domain Marissology and moved over to WordPress. I kind of which I hadn't. I'm making it work, though. I think. Maybe. I haven't fully bonded with the name. It seems to have murderated my muse. The focus shifted from 'love, life and pursuit of the perfect bra" to something totally weight loss based. I'm still struggling to get fit and drop the excess weight but there is so much more to my life observations than eating this not that.


What's the buzz in Kankakee?
Well, word on the street is that we're getting an Old Navy or Gap outlet store next to the WalMart. Recently added was a store called FIVE BELOW. Apparently nothing is over $5.00.

Kankakee. Illinois (artist's interpretation)

You are a lab manager. Does that mean you make science?
I make glasses in about an hour. Funny thing is that I was happy dawdling through my 'career' as a Lead Technician. Then one day I walk into work and my GM shows me a confidential email. It was a list of appointed Lab Managers and the stores where they'll be assigned. My name was on the list to take over in the store where I've been working since '05. Initially, I was livid! No one asked me. Technically, I wasn't supposed to see that email until receiving an offer. Duh. Needless to say, I'm making the most of that additional $.42 an hour.


Is Shakeology a science? The study of the ancient history of shaking?
It is!! 70 core ingredients make it a stand out in the world of meal replacement drinks. It is pretty tasty and it helps ya poo! With a low glycemic index -- 24 on a scale of 50 being considered low it is diabetic friendly. OK, enough infomercialization of your blog. Next question, pleas;e!


I happen to know that Lisa Coleman, as in "Wendy & Lisa" from Prince & the Revolution, gets her glasses at LensCrafters. Have you ever made glasses for any celebrities?
The stores I've worked in, Gainesville, Ga and Bourbonnais/Kankakee, IL., don't typically encourage celebs to roll through. Once a dude claimed he was from Kool and the Gang and promised us all tickets to their next show. Uh, sure. He was quite demanding. Then, this chick came in with her son and some dude who was footing the bill. She kept her bigger-than-her-head sunglasses on even though it was dusk and she was indoors. It is not as if she was Bono. One of our associates recognized her from the VH1 program featuring Chad Ochocinco. I think I just violated some HIPPA laws.

Yes, rock godesses DO shop at LensCrafters!

As a professional in the eye-care industry, am I wrong for thinking it's crazy to let someone have at my eyes with a laser beam?
I think Family Guy got it right regarding that procedure:


I like girls that wear glasses. Is it true that men seldom make passes at girls who wear glasses?
Your appreciation for bespectacled dames is ... appreciated. I haven't had a date or an invite of such in over three years. I'd have to say it is true. Surely it has nothing to do with my personality or oversized body type.


Any plans to return to the stage in the near future?
It would be nice. The hard work is something a pain. The drama behind the stage curtain is obnoxious. For some, a diva attitude exists in community theater. The whole Lab Manager gig is cramping my style. Evening rehearsals and weekend performances don't jive with a retail work schedule. Next season our local theater group is doing HAIRSPRAY. That would be fun.


What's your take on "American Idol"? This year and the whole phenomenon?
What a hot mess!! This Simonless season means there is no constructive criticism. Jennifer Lopez needs to stop loving everything. Steven Tyler needs to stop seeming like such a letch. Randy just needs to stop thinking his doughy critiques make him the new Simon. I've been watching and chatting on Facebook with one of Tampa's own, ya know. My remarks are terribly snarky. Many people might not appreciate my commentary. My strong dislike usually goes against the grain. One competitor is from Illinois. I compared her vocal style thusly: "If a singer's voice could be compared to a germy stripper pole it would be Haley's." I laughed.


When will it finally die?
It's already dead! Best impersonation of a ZOMBIE ever!

Br-r-r-a-a-ins...no, wait! I'd rather have f-a-a-a-a-ame! F-a-a-a-a-ame!

Find and follow Marissa at any and all of the following:

• Marissology the blog-- "Love, life and pursuit of the perfect bra"
• Team Beachbody -- Be a coach for 25% discounts
• Marissa Rapier on Twitter!
• Join the Marissology fan page on Facebook