New-To-Me Screen Candy – branching out… on a limb

Everything Old is New Again- Music

The local news had me stop in my tracks this morning- not for a shocking headline but for the sound of a new song. The music chosen to play into the commercial break was fabulous! I opened Spotify on my phone, and identified these fabulous musicians: Mariachi El Bronx. Not new, but new to me.

Here is Sleepwalking by Mariachi El Bronx

Their sound was so familiar but I couldn’t place why. An online search delivered a mix of options that finally made sense after I read an article from 2009 by The Guardian: “The Bronx- How Punk Rock Went Mariachi.” In a nutshell, if you grow up next door to David Hildago of Los Lobos and two of his kids are your best friends, fabulous music just may happen and multiple bands can be formed.

Here’s Mariachi El Bronx performing live for Seattle’s KXEP radio station-

It’s too bad that I missed them playing at The Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach this May. But, guess who is playing the San Diego Fair tonight? One of my all time favorites: Los Lobos.

Star Wars- Listening Doesn’t Count

Ever take long family trips in a car? Remember when those in-car screen systems became available? I’ve heard the stories from friends about listening to princess movies ad nauseam while driving across the country; anyone in the car measuring an age in double digits had to tough it out or suffer sharing that space with crabby kids.

We came late to the vehicle video party. We arrived there, finally, when our friend with a car dealership found a used SUV that had every option we wanted … and one we didn’t. I really didn’t want that DVD player, but the deal on the car was too good to pass up. In the end, we told the kids that they could watch shows only on long drives, and that system worked pretty well.

The Husband and I would load up on DVDs that we could stomach hearing since the headphones were perpetually broken or missing. Best of Bugs Bunny, Guys and Dolls, and Princess Bride, were part of our on-board entertainment… great shows that were already burned into my mind’s eye. And the Star Wars movies. All of them, memorized, too. Or so I thought.

With the latest Star Wars movie release, The Boy was completely happy to oblige his mamma in a six movie marathon to lead up to our Force Awakens matinee tickets. Two minutes into watching the first prequel and I realized that I had never actually seen any one of these new movies- I’ve only heard them all. From the front seats of that SUV. I had next to no idea what these stories involved.

So this weekend, for the first time, I watched all the first three stories- the second set of three movies released, for those of us who remember the original trio of movies as the real first three Star Wars movies. Not bad! I hope the seventh movie lives up to all the hype surrounding it.

We still have the SUV and the old DVD player still works. I think the last time it was used was several years ago. The Boy and his friends watched a bunch of original, black and white Three Stooges shows- slapstick and pre-adolescent boys are a great match. I wonder if we will ever find or fix the headphones? Probably not, I want to hear the shows, too.

On Holiday Movies and Generosity…

I don’t know anyone who can top my mom-in-law’s love of shopping for other people. No home can match the bounty you will find under her Christmas Tree. If you know her, you are remembered. As a goofy 18-year-old, I remember how surprised I was to be included in on her generosity- I had only known her son for a few months it seemed.

She has watched those made-for-TV Christmas movies for years, and has asked if I have seen this one or that one over the years. I have always had to respond with “No, that sounds sweet- so what was it about?” She will watch these while finishing the ironing or when wrapping Christmas presents. Lots of presents.

MV5BNTg0MzU0NTAyOV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwMjY1Mzc5NjE@._V1_SY317_CR12,0,214,317_AL_ — click here to be taken to the IMDB.com link where I found this image and show info

I finally remembered to DVR a bunch of these shows, and got around to watching one as I took down the last of the Fall and Thanksgiving decorations earlier this week (yes, later than most people, I know… I don’t like cramming one holiday into the next. Holidays need room to breath like a red wine… now I want some wine, where’s my corkscrew??). “Christmas at Cartwright’s was the first one I watched- how sweet! Interested in watching? These movies are often found on Hallmark, Lifetime, and ABC Family channels.

There is even a blog to list and rate each of these shows- TVMovieChristmas.tumbler.com

Give generously this season, people, remember your stylist, the postal worker you see every day, your paper carrier if you are as old fashioned as we are and still get the newspaper delivered. Drop an unwrapped present in the Toys for Tots bins that dot your city, and maybe put in some hours at a charity that speaks to your heart. Show your love for any and all of Mankind, our world could use our love.

And enjoy sweet, sappy, happy movies instead of the ones that scare, thrill, or terrify you. Take a break for some happy. ‘Tis the Season.

Favorite WordPress Blogs

I found a blogger who is new to me, but has been around here on WordPress for a while- Brad Young Art…A few of his posts that I liked in particular: 8/23/15 Space Needle, 7/26/15 Blondes and Tennessee, 4/19/15 Chicago Skyline, and 4/5/15 I Thirst.

I particularly enjoyed the different cities featured in his designs- many are only blocks from where I lived (our apartment up the street from Seattle’s Space Needle), or at least the same general yet beloved area (the Midwest rocked my world). Go check out his great art and sweet commentary!

It’s worth mentioning that the only way I came across Brad Young Art (and many other great blogs) is because he simply clicked that “LIKE” button on one of my posts, so I went and looked at his work… go discover some new blogs and encourage the love of great subjects today, everyone. And don’t forget to give that positive feedback.

While I’m at it- I’d really like to give a shout out to a few other fabulous writers I have come across over the course of this year while playing around on WordPress:

Cool San Diego Sights!– great pics and fun insights into what’s happening in the San Diego area

Cycling in the South Bay– about as introspective and funny as a cyclist can get, with life choices, hobbies, and family offered up on the Altar of the Blogosphere

Story Shucker– short, well crafted stories from a talented writer. I’m always looking for his works to show up in my favorites feed.

Finding Jeffrey– a family friend who can produce more thoughtful and humorous writings in two minutes with only an elbow on the space bar than an infinite number of me on an infinite number of keyboards could ever hope to pound out. Get cranking on that book, Jeff, we’re waiting.

Cooking with a Wallflower– I had to narrow down from a couple dozen food bloggers I’m following on WordPress, and Andrea’s blog has a fabulous compilation of really good recipes, wonderful photography, and culinary world finds that she came across on the Big Ol’ Web.

Why Yes, I WILL Dive into a New TV Series on Netflix, Thankyouverymuch!

Arrow "Pilot" Image AR101d-0117 Pictured: Stephen Amell as Oliver Queen Photo: Jack Rowand/The CW © 2012 The CW Network. All Rights Reserved — © 2012 The CW Network. All Rights Reserved

Continuing with the Marvel Universe, I’ve caved to the friends of The Boy and started in on Arrow. Eleven shows in and I can say this for sure: I love Netflix. About Arrow? The jury is still out on that one. Maybe I just like the Marvel Comic Universe better? Not sure yet…

I’m going to keep plowing through the first season, though. If only to see John Barrowman in a series… I love that guy!

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