“I’m on the last American exit to the northland I’m on the last American exit to my homeland I’m on the last American exit to my last chance They keep calling out my name, I shout it down” “Last American Exit” – The Tragically Hip The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is roughly three times the population of the Greater Columbus, Ohio metropolitan area. Based on … Continue reading Reverse the 614: Toronto First Impressions
“I have to come and see youmaybe once or twice a yearI think nothing would suit me betterthan some downtown atmosphereIn the dance halls and the galleriesOr betting in the OTBSynchronized like magicGood friends you and me” “GOOD FRIENDS” – Joni Mitchell When doing research for our trip, I found quite a few helpful resources, including the BlogTO YouTube channel and website itself. Their site … Continue reading Just Scratching The Surface: Toronto Pt. 2
Growing up, almost everyone has their favorite restaurant treats. Given enough popularity/cult status and enough skills in the kitchen, folks try to come up with their own knockoff versions at home to help relive those culinary memories. Music is full of “knockoffs”, if you will, in the form of cover versions. Like knockoff recipes, the quality of a cover version varies – some are quite … Continue reading Critical Rice Rhythms – Culinary Covers
During the initial weird months after the COVID-19 pandemic first hit, I had resorted to food-themed music lists as a way to keep my food and music interests (I had plenty of time to explore music working from home exclusively) going in a novel way.
I realized in looking back at my blog that I hadn’t done this in awhile. Also, I realized that the old name (the 614ortyplatter, a nod to my former blog) wouldn’t make sense.
Thus, with a slight name change, why not re-up a way that was a fun way to discover both some food knowledge and some new music to me. And I couldn’t think of a better topic with a return to the beginning of sorts, nodding to favorite meal of the day for my spouse and me in breakfast.
Continue reading “Critical Rice Rhythms – Breakfast is Served”
A confession: up until relatively recently, I wasn’t interested much into learning my ancestry.
After all, I was born here in America, not the Philippines, and I bought into whole American melting pot ideal I saw happily sung on those Schoolhouse Rock segments. Yes, I did hope native Filipinos did well in international competitions (the 1992 Zamboanga City Little League World Series Championship and resultant scandal was particularly disappointing) and similar, but I wouldn’t be one who would betray my country of origin, my country of citizenship.
Then, there was a progression of things. A presidential election in 2016 and a distinctly growing atmosphere of anti-immigrant and anti-perceived-to-be-immigrant sentiment that is in reality not all that new. Tensions only grew when COVID hit, with a number of politicians happily going along with the blame game. Finally, it hit home for me in a personal way, when some enlightened soul told me that I needed to go back to China.
I took a long deep hard look at myself in the mirror shortly after that. Unless I wanted to go the Michael Jackson route re: lose my skin color and had crap tons of cosmetic surgery, a certain segment of my country’s population was never going to accept me as American. I figured shortly thereafter that was a good a time to dig in more deeply and explore my roots.
Continue reading “Flipping On the Flip-side”
Many folks I’ve encountered have a distinct tendency to romanticize the past. Everything was more pure and carefree, and times were far more simpler. Truth is this nostalgic-tinged view of times gone by is something of a crock. While there are a number of factors involved, I think the driving factor behind this phenomenon is human nature – very few people actively choose to dwell … Continue reading The Track Less Traveled
Call me angel and take my handWishing you could be my manBut I can tell if its truth or liesWhen you’ve got bourbon in your eyesTell me something that I don’t knowThen I dare you to prove it soI’d ask you to try this on for sizeBut you’ve got bourbon in your eyes“Bourbon in your Eyes” – Devil Doll Last-second substitutions played a role in … Continue reading Lull-ville Lullaby (Part 2)
“Take me back to Louisville,Take me ‘neath that southern sky,Long to hear the whippoorwillComin’ home, Louisville,By the railroad track.For the choo-choo train to take me back.I’m so happy I could cry!Here I come, Louisville.”“Louisville K-Y” – Ella Fitzgerald My father-in-law, who has spent a fair amount of time in Kentucky, calls The Derby City Lull-ville. I had no idea if that was a personally quirky … Continue reading Lull-ville Lullaby (Pt. 1)
“I’m in love with modern moonlight128 when it’s dark outsideI’m in love with MassachusettsI’m in love with the radio onIt helps me from being alone late at nightHelps me from being lonely late at night” “Roadrunner” – Jonathan (Jojo) Richman & The Modern Lovers In terms of raw numbers, Massachusetts outdid all the states we traveled through in terms of overall activities. With that said, … Continue reading Jojo’s Playground: Massachusetts
“Three forms the soul to a positive sumDance to this fix and flex every muscleSpace can be filled if you rise like my lumberAdvance to the tune but don’t do the hustleShake, rattle, roll to my Magic NumberNow you may try to subtract itBut it just won’t go awayThree times one?(What is it? – One, two, three!)And that’s a Magic Number” “The Magic Number” – … Continue reading Alook at Atrio of States (CT/NH/RI)
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