Cup of coffee and a paper

Enough said. A strong morning tradition, enjoyed by many for at least the last 3 generations. But the talk is sounding more true. News print subscriptions are reaching new lows. Some say it's because of 24 hr. TV news stations, networking sites and online subscriptions. I, myself, have reduced my morning paper subscription to just Weds. and Sun. I read the paper online, in an approach to take a greener way of life and to also curb the cost of the Internet air card I use everyday. No WiFi where i work.

My true opinion is that today, maybe people aren't as interested in the full story. The one great thing about the paper is it gives you a tangible and complete copy of the story. One you can go back to and read. I can recall my Grandfather cutting out articles and hanging them on his fridge as reminders or sharing them with my mother. It was a conversation piece in a shoe shine chair or a method of escape on a busy bus. No matter what it was used as, the paper was there to enjoy.

These days, our lives are ruled by constant immediate gratification. We can get news as it happens, online, with news updates sent to our cellular phones. This is great, if you away from a TV, and your favorite sports team is playing, but do we really need to get immediate updates about gossip, fashion and celebrities? Before TVs, the news paper was the CNBC of it's time. News printers spent long, hard days gathering and writing the events, setting the type and pressing the pages out as fast as they could. Remember the saying "Extra, extra, read all about it!". Now it's just mobile updates and a vibration ring on your cell phone.

But I still enjoy reading the paper ,cover to back, with a hot cup of morning coffee. Plain Dealer, Akron Beacon Journal, New York Times, I love ya!

Twin B Project-Cana Martini and Wine Bar, July 17, 2009

As a kid, growing up in a Cleveland area suburb, I was lucky to hear the influence of so many musical talents through out the 80's & 90's. I spent lots of time, lots of money and lots of memory space in my head, putting away the soundtrack of my life. Music was a big part of me growing up and the friends i chose had the same love. We didn't always have the same taste in music, but we all loved to see and hear and attempt to play it.



Through friends, I got to meet a guy,Chris Reid, who had the same possession about music that i and my friends had. He didn't grow up with us, but instanly fit in because we all shared that common need to listen to music.



He came to the area from Toronto, Canada. He had already been an accomplished musician back home, in a trio with his twin brother, a band called I Divide. He ran into a good friend of mine, Mike Thome, and soon after worked on forming a new band named Begging For Seconds. They enjoyed some success, but soon family life called some of the bandmates away. Chris, always with the itch to play and always writing his own music, put together The Twin B Project just to get his needs to subside.





Last friday was his first show, I believe, as a one man band. He's past success helped to get the bar filled with patrons. His song selection and versatility as musician kept the people there. The big thing about Chris is He loves music. All genras, all eras, all arrangements. He loves to play his stuff, but loves share the music he enjoys, just as much. After starting his first set with one of his own songs, he went right into a well done version of Steve Winwoods "Mr. Fantasy" and from there, he did a full on grouping of music from all the great artists of the 50's through the 00's. He kept the groove of the music true, while still letting you know it was Chris Reid singing it. No matter what, the song it ended with a nice applause.



My favorites were his version of the Stone Temple Pilots version of Led Zepplin's "Dancin Days" and his salute to his motherland, a version of Neil Youngs "The needle and the damage done".


But this wasn't just a guy playing cover tunes on a Friday night. This was Chris' The Twin B Project CD release party. He played all the songs from the self released EP. As He stands, Chris' presence and sentimental lyrics keep the ladies there, while his playing keeps the guys lighters going. He's got great ability of vocalization that keeps you humming his melodies. It was a good night and now the area knows that Chris Reid can fill a venue and keep the patrons buying.

Good job to Chris and goodluck landing some more gigs. If your interested in a copy of The Twin B Project, email chish@23media.org and i'll get you in touch.

The Derek & Naked Nate Show

I'm eagerly awaiting the guys getting together and filming a segment so they can show the world all they have found in their Ghosthunting. From preliminary discussion, It sounds as if they boys want to do a variety show, complete with guests, movie clips and an audience that freely drinks beer(they are looking for a sponsor). This will be produced by 23 Media Productions super editer Steve Rose, with the coordination of NOPS.

I'd personally would like to see all their findings from each seeking session they go on. If they mixed that in with a new movie review and a special guest, maybe a paranormal specialist or a spiritual leader who specializes in the paranormal, this would be a fun show. I imagine a paranormal Ghoulardi show. Maybe even get some local access time!

I hope they seeking session become more common and more fruitful so you guys can finally convince the stubborn non-believers, like me, that there really is something bigger. I personally like Nate's approach and belief. He's not afraid to explain it in the scientific sense that most see this world. Derek, on the other hand, says he can outdrink any ghost and is taking on all challengers!

Beer Review #2-Modelo Especial

I wanted to try something different, but cheap. Went to the supermarket beer fridge and found Modelo Especial. It ran about $5.99 for a six of bottles. Not bad for an import.

When you open the bottle, it does have a slight scent of skunkiness, the same is said of Corona also. It's a good pilsner, made south of the border and has been for sale here, since 1990. ( Looked it up) The taste is light and smooth and is great for summer or a Mexican Ghost Hunt. It's got 4.4% ABV, so it'll take a few to prime the engine. I'd compare it to a Miller Light, which i like as a staple. it's worth getting a six or having at a mexican resturant. Try asking for it next time.

You can check the web, by it's name or look up Grupo Modelo for their complete line of beers. Later-CHOPPER

Beer Review #1-Wild Blue Lager

From time to time i'd like to offer my opinions on different beers. I buy random brands and styles of beers, now and then, just to taste whats out there. Maybe it will help you find a new fun beer or even prevent you from having to finish a six pack of something you don't like.

This Review is on Wild Blue Lager by Amheiser Busch. I took a chance on it and bought a six pack at a local Circle K, so it's easy to find. The Packaging that of a micro brew, with a blue bulldog pooping a blueberry and shooing it away. That should be the first clue!

I read the label, 8% ABV, which sounded good. It also said it had a light blueberry taste, sounds nice for a summer lager. I opened a bottle, smelled the aroma and it smelled like a lager with a light aroma of blueberry. Upon pouring the bottle into a glass( I like to let the bubbles stir it and view clarity) i noticed it was a BLUE beer. I tasted it and it is Full On blueberry! You get the initial taste and overall feel of drinking a beer, but it's blueberry, man. I thought they might have used blueberry in the brewing process, i didn't expect it to be that high a concentration.

After reading the label further, it states, infused with natural blueberry flavor. It was not all that bad, though(is beer ever?) It's a beer you may start out with, may have with a summer dinner outside or even share with your lady, when you just want to talk over a drink. I didn't feel this was a beer you could drink all night, it took me 4 nights to finish the six pack off. I would prefer it over the lime brands out there, but thats me and thats another issue.

Out of 5 stars, i'd give it a 3. It was tasty, not bitter and summery. You can find more on it at http://www.wildbluelager.com/. They even offer cooking recipes for pork marinades and vinegrette dressing, cool. Try it, tell me if i'm wrong. Later-CHOPPER

Story Time

When i was in High School, there was a kid, quiet, dressed a little backdated, but a nice, well raised kid. As he grew he got in metal, which was still mainstream in the early 90's.

My senior year i was invited to try and play with this group of other kids, i tried to play drums. I got to this country house, set up my set and these two kids plug in their guitars. They start to show me what they got and they have already, the two of them, written 6 to 8 songs, all guitar ofcourse. They shred these songs complete with individual solos. They were playing well beyond their age of 16 or 17.

The funny thing about it was the other kids was viewed as a burn out troublemaker. The teachers should have found a way to channel his ability in metal guitar 101. He had ability that i hope lead to other better things.

The quiet back dated kid was even better, i thought. I couldn't believe how this kid played. He was short with little hands, but his right hand hammered out this crunch that got you wanting to jam!(Early James Hetfield)

Ofcourse i wasn't much of a drummer. They needed someone who could play those quick time measures and i was no thrash drummer. I could hang with some "sick of it all" if it was slower but they needed someone who really embraced metal drumming. My reign lasted 2 weeks.

I recently saw the little quiet kid again. He still play, he has to. Said he's a hairdresser and plays acoustic at church on Sunday. Told you he was a good kid. He's still playing in a band, DOWNTROD. He gave me a CD of the band and it's listenable. I sure their better live, live music ALWAYS is. I'll have to watch the scene mag for the next time you play out, Darrell Patrick.

CHOPS WORDS

Talk to you soon