Area Man Finds Job Search More Difficult With Turkey Leg

Nov 27, 2012
The Onion Ripoff

Area Man, Richard Ryer, has discovered that seeking employment is only more difficult while trying to eat a cold Turkey leg.

"Normally I eat all kinds of things when I do my morning research, but with one hand completely occupied it is almost impossible to navigate. I can barely even get to the "etc." section on Craigslist without tiny pieces of turkey skin falling in to my keyboard!"

Ryer goes on to say,"Turkey legs are an American tradition, they should be enjoyed wherever and whenever one chooses. Whether you are unemployed, a minority, gay or all of the above nothing should hold you back. Perhaps Apple can figure this one out!"

The turkey leg is an American staple at outdoor events such as county fairs, Bar-be-q's and of course the big turkey day itself, Thanksgiving. Not traditionally an office snack or a sanitary choice for eating near electronics, but for one American it is clearly another stumbling block that will not  help with a job market that is confronted with new challenges every day.

"It just seems like everything gets more and more difficult. Today it is a turkey leg but next Thanksgiving I may not even have an extra one to snack on." 

Old Man, Life Soundtrack

Our Ghost Hotel- San Diego

Traveling is such an amazing experience. You don't have to hop a plane for 8+ hours to experience the beauty of being a traveler... the beauty is always with you- it is merely the mind of the explorer that recognizes the adventure. In all of my adventures I have found that it is the tiny memories- the silly every day happenings are the things that I never forget. When you actually feel your perspective shift and it tickles- it is a time when change or pushing your own comfort zone comes as a pleasure (often because you have no choice). You accept it and embrace it- it becomes part of your journey.

For me music plays a huge role in signaling these memories. A certain song will come on and I will snap back to a moment in the past as if it were the soundtrack to my life.

Some are really embarrassing- like how I really emotionally connected with Avril Lavigne's "I'm with You," while driving through the Hungarian countryside.

I will never forget when I bought The Who's, Quadrophenia, and my sister, Joanie, Abby,  and Jenny listened to it while taking the coast back from San Francisco. The sounds and effects just seemed so fitting for driving through a forested area especially just outside of Frisco. We all even said that out loud.

Coming home the morning after a night in Hollywood with my good friend, Brian C.  hearing, "Passenger Side," by Wilco for the first time in between The Raspberries greatest hits.

Sick as a dog heading up California coast to Portland singing the Fugees, "Killing Me Softly," with Matty B.

Cactus Garden at Balboa Park

All this to say, I have sealed another beautiful moment in my life this weekend with a new favorite of mine. It kept popping up all weekend; it was definitely an act of iPod but it just suited the weekend. It was a few of Neil Young's older song but particularly, "Old Man." The Ghost Hotel, Zanzabar, Secret Speakeasy, and forgetting to tip the valet. Walking through Balboa Park, listening to the Spreckle's outdoor Organ, the Friendship garden, the self-deprecating magician and the cactus garden. Even driving over the Coronado bridge during sunset Young's high pitched voice carried through. The moment this was sealed, however, was just before seeing Wilco at Copley Symphony Hall I was sitting in the car resting with Marissa before we went to get dinner. Old Young started his song and I couldn't help but to think of the influence he had on the band I was just about to see. So technically if Neil didn't do what he did- I may not have been in that beautiful moment with my beautiful love. It was simple. Listening to Neil Young in a parking spot on an empty city street.

I can say now that I feel lucky and blessed to have these moments but truthfully I know that it is only a whisper of how these memories will shout 10 years from now. Like sewing seeds of happiness for the future- these are the beautiful moments of life. I am so grateful that I have so many more and I hope as your soundtrack builds that you pay attention. You woke up this morning and continued your journey- enjoy the small things as if they were always brand new and if it helps keep that music playing.

Wilco at Copley Symphony Hall

Punch and Patch

Relationship is the only thing that makes perspectives round, love abound, and the truth found. Without healthy ones all that is left is perception painted upon an empty soul.

Kim Conlan -The Indie Peddler

So I know it is kind of funny for one writer to write about another writer. There is that hint of bias, perhaps some unintentional criticisms, or a potential for missed communication. But is what my blog is all about anyway so I will do my best!

Kim Conlan AKA the Indie Peddler has been serving the OC Music scene for now several years. As a musician who has been in her circle of influence and a friend, I have been able to witness about two years of Kim Conlan- The Indie Peddler.

When I first noticed the Indie Peddler popping up around FaceBook as a self proclaimed writer of music admittedly I was skeptical. Artists, in my opinion, are never super keen of the rouge blogger with an agenda or the fledgling writer who can't stop saying how "bad" or how "badass" your art is.

Kim was neither of the two. As the Indie Peddler her writing style instantly captured me as poetic. The descriptions of events that I witnessed and participated in were reproduced in to text with a sort of magic and enthusiasm that I hadn't felt before.

Kim has her own perspective and is not afraid to share it. The best part is, it doesn't end there like it does with many people.  Conlan goes above and beyond to support the music she believes in. She is always around. 

Even more than that, she uses her writing ability and her artisan-ship to create books and tapes that promote her favorite local artists. For me, these are priceless keepsakes. Mementos from years of hard work and amazing adventures.

Special gifts like this, that require significant thought, patience, and devotion are extremely rare and should be celebrated. Kim Conlan, you humble Indie Peddler, thank you for all that you do. You are an irreplaceable piece of Southern California music and simply a joy to know.

The Indie Peddler will be releasing Volume II of her compendium of OC Musical moments this Saturday August 6th 10pm at Costa Mesa's La Cave Restaurant. Local acts: Charles Mansion, The Danvilles, and Stanley Lucas Revolution will be performing for free and copies of Vol II will be available for $5 each.

https://www.facebook.com/justin.deckert#!/event.php?eid=121359941287891

Life on Mars

Testing... testing.

OK! Trying out my new program for blogging. Looking forward to making some serious advances in my writing! I hope you don't mind! The program is MarsEdit and so far so good!

Thank you as always for reading.

Cheers, Justin

Multi Car Discount

So for those of you that know I sold my 1971 VW Bus last week. The majority of the reasoning was just that it made no financial sense to have a dream car taking up insurance cost, maintenance cost, and so fourth when I have no time or money to really fix it up.

So, reluctantly, I let it go. One of the upsides was that I thought I could expect a lower insurance premium since I have one less vehicle to cover. Nope. That is not the case.

Insurance companies encourage multiple car ownership by offering a multi-car discount. Had I known this I may have kept my bus a sitting. Why? Because my daily driver + the bus had a premium $100 less than just having my daily driver on bare-bones insurance alone. After multiple quotes I am stuck with paying more for insurance. What a drag.

Everyone knows insurance companies are a racket and they are now finally on my big long list of, “American establishments designed specifically to impoverish and condemn the young and hopeful.” 

Black Country Communion

Black Country Communion

Live Show Review

City National Grove of Anaheim

June 10, 2011

Black Country Communion, the world's most recent super-band, is currently on their debut tour across the United States. Comprised of pseudo-legendary talents such as Glenn Hughes of Deep Purple, Trapeze, and Black Sabbath, (Bass/Vocals), Joe Bonamassa of several popular collaborations and solo albums, (Electric Guitar), Derek Sherinian of Dream Theater (Keys), and finally the cream of the collabo, Jason Bonham, son of the Legendary Led Zeppelin Drummer John Bonham (Drums). 

Pseudo-Legendary is not meant to be an insult to these monster talents. Each one in their own right shines brightly in this unexpected rock megalith. Hughes hits the incredible high notes and flipped-up bass fills, Bonamassa cranks some seriously arpeggiated glam-rock solos, Bonham does his damn Bonham thing and Sherinian has some really impressive solo sections. Over all this is a musician's band and band for those who simply care about nothing else but rock.

Namely the band is rather misleading as one may expect something in the Black Country, Country genre, or at least a Stevie Ray Vaughn Rock/Blues with a twang, but alas this is not the case. Black Country Communion is your father's Audioslave: Amazing musicians playing generic rock that is too busy rocking to innovate. BCC is pure entertainment.

Shredding Flying-V Glam-Blues isn't the only entertaining thing you will likely see at these shows. You know those hippies that got jobs and went to college instead of doing drugs and living in their mom's basement? They will be there. Either with bald heads or unapologetic mullets. Who will they be with? Some will bring their obviously square wives with their over sized earrings. Some will bring their "musician-friend" who has a greasy grey skullet (balding mullet)and a Bonamassa T-shirt. The others will bring a fellow "dude" to have a few beers with and rock out.

Perhaps I am too quick to judge off of the one show I have seen, but I can assure you, guys, there are no women at this show. None at all. If you are ready to experience beer-drunk 50-something party dudes screaming, "I love B.C.C."- You are going to the right show. If you want to catch one of Bonamassa's slick red guitar picks- you are going to the right show. If you want to see some incredibly talented musicians play unmemorable (besides the ringing in your ears) rock- you are going to the right show.

Ironically enough this sound seems to translate very well over the pond. BCC's self-titled debut album, released in September of 2010, charted at #13 in the Official UK Top 40 Album Chart, #1 in the Official UK Top 40 Rock Album Chart and #2 in the Official UK Top 40 Indie Album Chart. Their second studio album produced by Kevin Shirley who produced for Journey, Iron Maiden, Rush, and Led Zeppelin is expected to explode by the end of June 2011.

My recommendation would be to check out the website: www.bccomunion.com and listen for yourself. If you love what you hear- you are in for a hell of a show. If not, join me a collective head-scratching as we wonder together how such super-talent still can't quite get our feet tapping and our fingers snapping.