THIS is why you'll NEVER hear a voice like Judy's again.

Today is a day for music. And AutoTune. 

And, as long as AutoTune is being used, the natural voice will no longer truly be heard. 

Yeah, I get it, it fixes out of tune voices and creates crazy effects (a la Cher's ' Do You Believe in Love After Love). But a couple of things are lost: the appreciation of voices of people who can really do their stuff, as well as the warmth and expression that a person with talent can give to a piece of music. 

Listen to this fellow:

I think he makes a pretty good case for his hypothesis. Taking away nothing from Kelly Clarkson, perhaps the production crew in the sound booth might serve her better if they let her sing.

Along the way, I'm reminded that really good instrumentalists, and really good vocalists have this in common: they hear a phrase or read the music and it flows through their instrument, whether that instrument is a physical object they interact with, or their voice (or, in my case, my mouth when I whistle) automatically. 

I hear 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow', and I can sing or whistle it with ease, only being limited by my vocal (or whistle) range. Well trained instrumentalists, well adapted to their instrument do the same. Their physical actions may be more involved, but it's the same thing. 

And therein lies the beauty.

If you are a musician, keep on being one with your instrument, and your music.

Yes, You Can!

Uncommon Man

 I admit to being lazy. It has been a week of finding my feet and getting them underneath me, again. We've been back nearly two weeks, and I still have not gotten, or even started, getting the pictures organized.

Pictures not as good as seven years ago, and that disappoints me as well.

On the other hand, the sight was as beautiful as before. And it has inspired a jewelry piece that I'll try to put together soon.

Buuut, as I said I'm lazy today. so I'm going to post a poem that I heard, then searched for to make sure I got it right. Ironic, really, it's not a poem to inspire laziness. Rather the opposite.

My Creed

I do not choose to be a common man,

It is my right to be uncommon … if I can,

I seek opportunity … not security.

I do not wish to be a kept citizen

Humbled and dulled by having the

State look after me.

I want to take the calculated risk;

To dream and to build.

To fail and to succeed.

I refuse to barter incentive for a dole;

I prefer the challenges of life

To the guaranteed existence;

The thrill of fulfillment

To the stale calm of Utopia.

I will not trade freedom for beneficence

Nor my dignity for a handout.

I will never cower before any master

Nor bend to any threat.

It is my heritage to stand erect.

Proud and unafraid;

To think and act for myself,

To enjoy the benefit of my creations,

And to face the world boldly and say:

“This, with God’s help, I have done.”

All this is what it means

To be an Entrepreneur.

-- Dean Alfange

I think I'll put that on a poster, or a shirt. It'd be the first addition to www.cafepress.com/clubmushroom in a long time.

Be bigger than you are. Make something to leave a legacy. Live a life you will remember (thanks, avicii). Put smiles on faces. Help people get what they want.

Live as large as you can.

Yes, You Can!

A Slice From the Eclipse Trip

 It's been something of a while.

We visited Texas for the 2024 Solar Eclipse, and it was great. More on that later.

On our way back we stayed in the town of Plainview, Texas. had supper at the Cotton Patch Cafe (highly recommended - I didn't finish my meal, but no fault of theirs - the waiter even managed to get the kitchen staff to scrape the bottom of the pot for the last of the jalapeno gravy for my chicken fried steak. Great stuff!)

But, more about them when I can do them justice.

The Next Morning, we were looking around for breakfast. Apart from a donut shop, there was nothing on this side of Plainview that served a real breakfast. Except McDonald's.

And the McDonald's was GREAT!

This is what greets you when you drive up:

And, true, it's the typical Micky Dee's breakfast menu, but these folks take pride in doing it right. Coffee was great. And they are not afraid to help a body out. When we went up to order seconds, the menu had just changed to Lunch, but they accommodated us by putting together two more breakfast sandwiches (plus hash browns) for us.

This handsome fellow was especially helpful (Corey, by name):

Corey (the Man!)

He was very helpful. He had a pleasant and sunny attitude in a job where, let's be frank, has more than it's share of cranky customers (I should know. Unfortunately, I can be one of them).

All in all, he and they made breakfast a wonderful experience.

And you gotta love a place that doesn't take Ronald too seriously!

McRib on the hoof

If I'm ever again in Plainview, I will definitely look them up!

(Their address is 815 N I-27, Plainview, TX 79072.)

If you are ever down that way, you should look them up. too! 

Yes, You Can!