chuckography

Top Drawers Entertainment...

OK. Let's just start...toward the end.

Nathan Palmer is the lead singer for Truckstop Preachers.

He led his band in an "open" manner last night at Tin Roof. Yes, his pants are down around his ankles.

Most of the set he was whipping his shirt on and off so the drop trou was a natural progression.

On my blog in the past,  I have shown a totally nude guy on stage, so this stopped just short of that extreme exposure.

Nathan had fun. We all did.

We were warned by the opening act The Defilers that Nate was "sorta touchy-feely" with the audience. Arleigh Hertzler, lead singer for the opener, said they would stick around .... but at a safe distance.

The band is from Charlotte and were in town to play a wedding at Folly Beach today (Saturday).

Man, that must have been SOME beach party!

Nate sang  Cash, Elvis and Buck Owens songs while holding up over-sized poster faces.

He explained the shirt he kept taking off and putting back on, was handmade by his 92-year old grandmother.

She died unexpectedly, he added.

Had not seen this group before so the antics may have been performance art rather than alcohol-induced.

Either way, the crowd seemed to enjoy his coming off stage and groping the fans.

A lot of booze and beer WAS being consumed so maybe the good feelings were shared.

Arleigh of the Defilers came back onstage for the final number together.

He was wearing his signature tattered straw hat and Nathan wore his ripped shirt.

Nate announced they had a good time and probably would just call in sick to the wedding.

I hope he was kidding.

(Click on the photos for more details.)

The Tin Roof is a great spot for "different" types of music.

Every time I go there, I tell them they are terrific.

Check it out.

I got permission to pop in the back door onto the stage, crouch down and take a shot of the Defilers while they were performing.

That was cool.

Labels: Arleigh Hertzsler, Buck Owens, Johnny Cash, Nathan Palmer, Please click http://photo.meetup.com/687., The Defilers, Tin Roof, Truckstop Preachers

posted by chuckography @ 9:22 PM 0 Comments

Just Skip The Sunset.....

 I had just showed a buddy my version of shooting a sunset.

Yes, a tripod is required.

He wanted my advice and it was a slightly cool evening so we put on jackets and headed out in West Ashley.

I warned him there were very few clouds so I knew the effect would not be spectacular.

Turns out, that was not the problem.

As the sun sank lower, we attached his camera to the tripod and I suggested lens and shutter settings to get him started.

The message on the back of his camera immediately flashed "Replace Batteries."

He answered my query with "No, I don't have any spares. I thought these were good ones."

We tried a few shots with my camera in the fading light.

However, the best way to teach is to have him  do it on his own camera so we packed it in for the night.

And realized we were hungry.

We passed a stunning building  on Sam Rittenberg Boulevard that I believe had just opened and stepped in.

The entire place - inside and out - had been transformed.

I later found out it's by the same people who do Tristan on the Market downtown.

There was extensive use of wood - which I really like - and splashy colors.

My eye went to a whole wall covered with plates, cups and saucers.

Probably some pots and pans as well.

I saw some spoons too.

After admiring the view, I remembered why we had stopped.

We were hungry and thirsty.

A cold craft beer and tasty appetizers (Jerk- rubbed baked chicken wings) got us started.

Then came probably the best Reuben sandwich I've ever had.

The place started filling up and I asked how long they had been opened.

"It's been three weeks, " the smiling and helpful wait person answered.

We had missed a glorious sunset but had found a place I'll go back to when I'm in the area.

Maybe even drive crosstown to sample the delicious food and the delightful surroundings.

(Click on the pictures for more details.)

The chicken wings include both parts so it's like a double order.

Eat more chikken.

Labels: Eat more chikken, Jerk-rubbed baked chicken wings, Ms. Rose's, Please click http://photo.meetup.com/687., Reuben sandwich, Sam Rittenberg Blvd., sunset alternative, Tristan, West Ashley

posted by chuckography @ 3:46 PM 3 Comments

Somethin' Cookin' In The Kitchen...

My kitchen is large and looks nice.

Most visitors remark on its size and how much room I have to roam around as I cook.

Living alone, I don't really "cook."

Sam's Club and I have worked out a plan that does well for me.

I defrost and then microwave.

But I digress.

The good looking bright yellow kitchen paint needed some touch-ups on the walls.

Oops, I remembered tossing away many, many cans of paint last year during a massive cleaning downstairs.

Including the "mom's kitchen yellow" one.

The nice young lady in the paint department at Lowe's showed me MANY samples of "yellow."

I described the floor, cabinets and table and she suggested I paint the walls blue.

Because the walls have been some shade of specially-mixed yellow since 2004, I opted instead for a color in the same "family."

I bought several gallons of Burnt Orange.

Well, Valspar says it's Toffee Cream.

Whatever the name, the room started to look dramatically different after I did all the prep work and started applying paint.

Stunningly different.

The familiar pale yellow look of the kitchen has started on a path of change.

The saleslady told me the obvious - a darker look needs to be offset by lighter, brighter accent colors.

Well, all the trim is white as are the cabinets.

I bought some matching Valspar glossy white to freshen around the doors and windows as well as the floor trim next to the wood flooring.

The fridge, washer and dryer all are white so the room should NOT be gloomy.

The blinds, though brown, are actually bamboo and light comes through nicely.

All in all, I think the new look will be good.

After cleaning the brushes in warm soapy water and making sure everything was sealed and ready for Day 2, I was watching a little tv before going to bed and heard scratching.

Yikes,  I had put the cat in the spare bathroom so she wasn't underfoot.

I didn't want her knocking over the paint can or stepping in paint and tracking it around.

She didn't want to be away from the action any longer so I let her out and she inspected the kitchen thoroughly.

Hope she doesn't realize she'll be back in the bathroom later today.

She'll catch on when I take her bowl of Kibble in there. She already knows where to get water.

"Orange" you glad I take care of her?

(Groan and click on the pictures for more detail.)

During the clean up when I disposed of many cans of touch-up paint, I also tossed all of my drop cloths.

Masking tape and newspapers took care of Day 1.

Labels: Lowe's paint dept., microwave, Please click http://photo.meetup.com/687., Sam's Club, Toffee Cream, touch up paint, Valspar, yellow kitchen

posted by chuckography @ 10:39 AM 1 Comments

That time already?

Seems like I just did a power wash not that long ago?

Got a handful of cousins flying in tomorrow and want the house to look nice.

The deck will be the first thing they see as we lug suitcases up the steps..

Hmm, the boards have a green tint.

What's it all about, Algae?

The pressure washer had tackled this several times before so I know the drill.

Plug the cord in the wall and the hose into the machine. Turn the water on full.

Set the pressure kind of low and start at one end and hose over all the flat areas.

Because this is the third time I've done this, I checked the dates of photos I've taken before and it was 2 years ago and, before that, it was four years before cleaning was needed..

Maybe I tried to stretch the water repellent too far when I applied it the last time?

I bought several cans for this go around. My time - and my aching back - is worth the few extra dollars.

You'd think science would have developed a way by now to alert you when it's time to re-do the deck surface.

I mean, I see this message on dirty cars quite often.

Surely that same technology could be applied to wooden decks.

Or is the car message "Wash me?"

(Click on the photos for more details.)

I am sure my cousins will be impressed with the nice clean entrance to my home.

If we spill anything,  it will bead up on the surface.

Labels: aching back, algae green with envy, bead up, deck surface treatment, Please click http://photo.meetup.com/687., power washing, Pressure cleaning, sore knees, water repellent, writing on cars

posted by chuckography @ 10:36 PM 0 Comments

The swaying Canadian suspension bridge....

We had taken the morning ferry and were looking at a map in North Vancouver. We're looking for a famous "hanging"  bridge nearby.

 The big surprise was hopping on a city bus down by the ferry boat landing and riding up the hills in the suburbs.

Past all the chain fast food places and a few shops that clearly were Canadian.

The yellow pull cord pings and the bus slows to a stop. Huh?

The crowd starts to get off and we ask "is this the bridge?" 

The driver points across the street to the entrance of a woody nature park.

Yep, this is it. I can see some tall totems just inside the gate.

Nice neighbourhood.

The Capilano Suspension Bridge is impressive.

Overheard a guide tell a nervous lady that the bridge was strong enough to support it completely filled with people - stacked 7 high.

I was ready to venture out.

Nobody was being placed on top of another.

As the link explains, it's a woody park with the Capilano River running white water 200 feet below the bridge.

If that's not daring or daunting enough,  you also can "space walk" out on an arc that juts out from the side of a mountain.

Or climb up to a series of walkway-connected tree houses high above the forest floor.

Remember, this is just a few blocks away from a drive-through McDonald's.

And, back in Vancouver,  we still planned to visit the Jimi Hendrix Shrine at the Backpackers Hostel.

That's another kind of high near Chinatown.

With our feet firmly back on the ground, we found tranquil little parks in the midst of downtown high rise.

The excellent ground and water transportation system opens the whole area to visitors.

A Hop On - Hop Off bus offered a variety of drivers as you explored the city.

The slogan is "Very friendly and informative with a great sense of humour."

(Click on the photos for more detail).

It is so much fun to relive a vacation by editing photos!

Double your pleasure.


.

Labels: Backpackers Hostel. Hop on-Hop Off tours., Capilano River, Jimi Henrdrix, McDonald's, North Vancouver, Please click http://photo.meetup.com/687., suspension bridge

posted by chuckography @ 11:49 AM 0 Comments

Red Meat and pink local shrimp.

Thanks Groupon.

And all the other companies that offer you discount dining coupons.

Naturally, I appreciate the quality restaurants who participate and I hope they gain some new customers.

That's the beauty of a BOGO (Buy One Get One free). It's a win-win for everybody.

The bacon-wrapped filet mignon, topped with crab meat and served with fries, was my choice the other night.

Queen Anne's Revenge on Daniel Island is very customer savvy and even offers an "early bird" discount of 20% I saw on their web site.

You would not combine the offers but it's good to know they are keeping an eye on MY bottom line.

Someone had suggested that, unless you want it rare, a thick filet is cooked more evenly if you ask to have the chef  "butterfly" it.

I'll remember that because I'm a medium kind of steak eater.

The appetizer was a nice cold shrimp cocktail.

I saw signs that QAR uses local shrimp and they were firm and tasty.

I'm sure there is a delightful - and sinful - dessert list but I had reached my pleasure level and skipped that treat.

(Click on the pictures for more detail.)

I warn you though...you're going to have a hunger attack.

Have not forgotten I promised some pictures of the Canadian Suspension bridge.

Hang on, they're coming soon.

I stopped to eat.

Labels: butterfly meat, Daniel Island dining., filet mignon, local shrimp, Please click http://photo.meetup.com/687., QAR, Queen Anne's Revenge, shrimp cocktail

posted by chuckography @ 4:32 PM 0 Comments

Wanda Sykes & My Camera....

Labels: Curb Your Enthusiasm, hecklers, Larry David, Please click http://photo.meetup.com/687., stand up comedy, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Wanda Sykes

posted by chuckography @ 12:32 PM 1 Comments

The Prince of Whales....

Actually I did NOT chose this particular whale watching company with the cutesy name.

But, as promised, here are some pictures from my expedition.

The first few sightings were pretty far away.

But soon, our skipper found us a large pod of killer whales and we darted around and among them.

Man! They displace a LOT of water! Much larger than the Sea World version I had seen before.

These were in a much bigger "tank."

On this high speed tour boat we were issued warm "safety suits."

It was a nice sunny morning but once we cleared the harbour and the throttle was pushed forward, they felt good.

We also were shown where all the life vests and rafts were stored.

Apparently whale watcher captains share among themselves where and what they have found.

The radio stayed busy as we sped south of the island looking for targets.

When you get closer, the Orcas give away their positions as they spray air and water when they come to the surface.

We were told when we can see the tail in the air, the whales are heading into a deep dive and may stay under 8-10 minutes or longer.

When the head pops up, they are doing a "Spy Hop" to check out what's happening on the surface.

I know a lot more about whales now. And seals.

On the return, our boat slowed and drifted close to a small island with a lighthouse.

What had looked like brown rocks from afar, turned out to be huge seals. Hundreds. Moving around and barking.

There was an explanation about migration - some go up to Alaska, others down to Mexico - but apparently the females stay near the newborns and all these guys come back to places like this and near San Francisco.



 I guess our boat coming closer triggered a herd reaction and it seemed that they all dove in at once.

The skipper kept a distance as the barking seals swam our way.

Our several hours at sea were just about to end and I realized that as some point we had wandered in and out of U.S. waters.

My Smartphone lighted up and I could receive emails without being in a Canadian place with WiFi.

The engines were kicked into high gear and we hunkered down in our warm clothing.

We were heading home. (Click on the photos for more details.)

The Canadian adventure was concluding but I still want to share the swaying motion one feels on a long, long, rope suspension bridge.

We stepped out onto the Capilano Bridge after a ferry trip over to North Vancouver and a ride on a city transit bus to a tree-filled dell in the middle of a suburb.

Please stop by again.

We won't leave you hanging. Thanks.

Labels: barking seals, high speed motorboats, North Vancouver, Orca Killer whales, Please click http://photo.meetup.com/687., Prince of Whales, safety suits, Sea World, seals that growl like lions

posted by chuckography @ 8:03 PM 0 Comments

Is it hot in here, or is it just me?

 Joe Pasta is my go-to place for a dish of chicken parm.

Or veal.

Parmesan.

Garlic bread.

A mini pizza. Crunchy salad

Sitting at the bar, I was startled when I saw the chef create several intense bursts of flame. Not sure what he was preparing, but I asked him to tell me when he was going to make it flare again.

He came over soon and asked "Are you ready?"

My camera and I braced and WHOOSH!

I don't think it was my meal - or a bowl of spaghetti - in the dancing flame.

A nice dining tradition when going to a show at the Performing Arts Center, is stopping to eat in Centre Pointe at FATZ CAFE.

It's on the edge of Tanger Outlet Shops and has always been a treat.

The grilled salmon with skewered veggies, served over rice is a favorite. And, for dessert,  I tried the peanut butter and chocolate pie.

The Oreo cookie was a special surprise.
A new place I knew as a favorite food truck now had moved indoors on upper Meeting Street by the off ramps of the Ravenel bridge.

 Hello, My Name Is BBQ was larger inside the building than I expected.

But, then, food trucks usually do not offer dine-in seating.

Oh, it still has its "meals-on-wheels" and appears at food truck rodeos but the inside move intrigued me.

I stopped in on a Saturday evening on my way to the Music Farm and had them create a Pork on Pork meal for me by adding bacon to the Holy City BBQ menu item.

You really can't get too much of a good thing.

They offered the largest variety of barbecue sauces I have ever seen. Mild to hot to outrageous. Mustard, tomato and Jalapenos. Hit the link and check out their menu.

(Click on the photos to see more detail.)

I have heard comments around me like "Hah, He must be a blogger." when I take out my camera to snap a shot of my meal.

I usually hand the commenting person my card.

It says I DO have a blog.

Labels: Centre Pointe, chicken parm, Fatz Cafe, Hey, Joe Pasta, My Name Is BBQ, PAC, Please click http://photo.meetup.com/687., Tabger Outlet Stores, veal parmesan

posted by chuckography @ 4:03 PM 0 Comments

I Just Heard A Story.....

The Unchained Tour big blue bus pulled into downtown Charleston a few nights ago. I had my ticket to ride.

Four "story tellers" were on board for short hops from Savannah to cities around North and South Carolina for about 10 days..

This is the third time the bus has hit the road on its mission to talk to the people and support independent bookstores.

This stop at the Charleston Music Hall was sponsored by Blue Bicycle Books, around the corner on King Street.

George Dawes Green from Savannah, the founder of Moth.org and the man behind the oral tradition tour,  welcomed the full house and promised an entertaining evening of music and stories. He delivered.

Peter Aguero was wearing jeans, sneakers and a distinctive mustache.

He was the emcee and introduced each tale teller.

Peter also told his story of his spectacular success with women - well, one in particular - when he was in college.

The college, he later decided , was a good one to drop out from.

He said he was small as a youth and then got much larger as he grew up.

A lot larger.

Rachel Kate Gillon and Joel T. Hamilton, a local duet, provided musical interludes throughout the evening.

The format was simple: several stories were told, music and an intermission and then two more story tellers in the second half.

A nice audience participation surprise asked us to put our name on a slip of paper during the break and three would be selected at random to present a one-minute story.

I filled out an entry but it was not drawn. Pity, I had a great story ready to dazzle in the true spirit of the evening.

Dawn J. Fraser, is from Trinidad by way of Brooklyn

She told a charming story of feeling left out and ignored.

That was not exactly the charming part. 

After several confrontations, the story ended with her feeling at home and at peace within herself.

Dawn's tale involved a dog named Marley. And dreadlocks. And her extended family of Trinidadians.
Edgar Oliver is the small gentleman with the booming, theatrical diction and delivery!

Even though Peter had alerted us, we still were surprised by the lilting musical tone of Edgar's voice as he shared a twisting tale of mistaken identity and a bogus sense of imminent danger.

His story recalled an adventurous evening walk in New York City. And no, it was NOT a dark and stormy night.

It involved the headwaters of Avenue C, a potential missing person named Aaron, shady characters possibly lurking in the shadows and was delivered in a delightful, enticing manner.

We were hanging on every word.


I have a copy of AMERICAN GODS so was somewhat familiar with the writings of Neil Gaiman, our final presenter of the evening.

He has an insightful piece about his joining the blue bus magical tour and I invite you to click on the link.

His delivery was smooth, with an English accent, and covered an event in his childhood in an abandoned stately manor where he learned a few steamy jokes from older kids.

He used the new material to regale unsuspecting friends and eventually involved his school master, the owner of the school and his shocked mother.

Hint: always know your audience.

The moral of the story he said was learning the awesome power of words.

Blue Bicycle was site for the after-party.

The "Bus Named Wanda" drew attention.

(Click on the photos for more details.)

This is the first time I have tried
to group several photos together.


I

During the intermission, smokers smoked.

It was OK to go online but still buy books.

At the end, the cast took bows..and a video.

Hopeful 1-minute story tellers names.

Labels: American Gods, Blue Bicycle, Dawn Fraser, Edgar Oliver, George Dawes Green, Joel Hamilton, Neil Gaiman, Peter Aguero, Please click http://photo.meetup.com/687., Rachel Gillon, Unchained Tour

posted by chuckography @ 11:26 PM 0 Comments

We'll Always Have Parris....Island.

Yesterday I got as close to Parris Island as I've been in about 50+ years.

One hot and steamy July afternoon all those years ago, I stepped off the bus from Charleston at P.I., stood on the famed yellow footprints and was officially greeted.

Welcomed was not the right word.

At that point, the Marines took over my young life. Well, them and the ever-present sand fleas. 

I think my Reserve unit spent about a dollar bus fare to ship me to Boot Camp down in Beaufort County.

But, most of the 16,000 young men (and women) annually arrived at MCRD (Marine Corps Recruit Depot) by train and, for many, their first taste of The South was Yemassee, S.C.

 Apparently the train station is still an important part of the small town and a large fading mural depicts the glory days of steam locomotives.

My mother grew up in Yemassee and told me she and her 3 sisters often would wander down to the station - about when the train was due - and enjoy the sight of fit, virile young men trooping from the train and being assembled for the short bus ride to Parris Island.

Yeah, Mom mentioned that.

 A Charleston native - even at 18 - knows summer here is hot, hazy and humid so I am surprised I agreed to enter Boot Camp in July.

Fellow recruits from far away places like Ohio and New York also were amazed at my profound stupidity.

After I had signed up and joined the local Reserve unit, I was sworn in one evening in a ceremony downtown at the Gloria Theater.

Today it's known as the College of Charleston's Sottile Theater but my night there, standing on stage with a few other young recruits, is remembered as the premiere of the new Jack Webb movie called "The DI."

As we sat in stunned silence, the other newest recruits and I watched a scary, pretty accurate depiction of what we were about to face. Yikes.

 (Click on the photos for more detail.) I did NOT take the photo of the friendly Drill Instructors. That came from the internet. My palms still get sweaty when I see just one in uniform.

 As a footnote, many years later I met Jack Webb while I was working at Universal Studios. He was shorter - and nicer - than he appeared in the Marine Corps movie.

At least I didn't salute him.

Labels: Beaufort County, Gloria Theater, Jack Webb, MCRD, Old Sheldon Church, Parris Island, Please click http://photo.meetup.com/687., The DI

posted by chuckography @ 11:06 AM 5 Comments

HEY...up here please!

"Here lies the remains
of my last paperboy.
He died by torch
when two-days in a row,
he missed my porch."

Customer service is a curious thing.

For example, delivery of your daily newspaper.

You ask that it be tossed onto your porch. Not hidden in the yard somewhere.

Not in the bushes, wet with dew. Not in the shadows, hidden from view. ON THE PORCH.

It's a simple concept: the company prints the paper each day and I pay them to bring it to me to read.

We could all go down to the paper's office to pick one up but that would be be bad on morning traffic.

I buy the product. I send the money where they want it. Odd that I would be particular about where I wanted to take possession.

After weeks of GOOD on-the-porch service, for several days I started my day roaming the front yard, looking for what I had bought.

Maybe there was a change in carriers? Perhaps the new guy made a bad decision?
Injured his or her throwing arm?

I like to think my sign is helpful. A reminder.

(Click on the photos for more detail.)

My brothers and I all were newspaper carriers when we were growing up on the peninsula.

We knew we were selling a product and a service.

And, that was before the internet.

Labels: customers are buyers, home delivery, newspaper carriers, Please click http://photo.meetup.com/687., porches, Post and Courier

posted by chuckography @ 6:15 PM 1 Comments

Just Pour It On ...

As part of its 10th anniversary, the Pour House has presented it's annual mural painting contest.

And a whole lot more.

A stellar musical line up for a week of entertainment.

The murals - out front on Maybank Highway - and on the deck.

And a brand new restaurant called The Lot.

The Wednesday night I went there, the energetic sextet Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears filled the room with a happy crowd.

Well, earlier a "Dead" tribute band played on the deck so many probably stuck around.

A 3-piece brass horn section is always a treat.

When a group plays a straight long set - without a break or intermission - you get all the joy without the wait.

I appreciated this even more because my evening had already included a Thai dinner.

And the movie Killer Joe across the street at The Terrace theater.
People think it's easy being retired. The hours sometimes are long but I sleep in the next day.

(Click on the pictures for more detail.)

Go to the club and restaurant and check it out yourself.

You'll enjoy it.

A LOT.

Labels: Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, Killer Joe, mural contest, Please click http://photo.meetup.com/687., The Lot restaurant

posted by chuckography @ 8:17 PM 1 Comments