September 7th, 2023
“ Dobroho ranku”, or “Good Morning!” in Ukrainian, an Eastern Slavic language spoken mainly in Ukraine. I have decided that the UJT will remain focused on Ukraine until we can all rejoice at the end of hostilities. It has been 553 days since Russia invaded Ukraine.
This week I learned some stuff:
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- Last Friday, we lost a sweet giant of creativity and entrepreneurial genius. Jimmy Buffett. Today, I feel very much like I have every time I have lost a good friend. There was something about Jimmy’s music that endeared him to me. Every time I listened, I thought, “He really gets it!”. He was fearless in his high-speed pursuit of life. He was a songwriter, sailor, pilot, author, and playwright. actor, businessman, beer brewer, real estate speculator, record company owner, producer, son, brother, husband, father, and of course, performer. I was fortunate to have witnessed and participated in many of his concerts of misbehavior in my 50+ years as a fan. I always felt richer for the experience. I suspect he is enjoying eternal sunshine and peace sitting on a lounge chair at his “Beach House on the Moon”. Fair winds and following seas, Jimmy!
- I am transitioning my lifestyle from the slovenly couch potato I have been for the past couple of years into a more fit, better-fed couch potato. I met with my cardiologist this week and she is very happy with my progress. She is probably happier with it than I am which is probably a good thing. To quote a great Jamaican smuggler directing the stevedores to where on the boat the bales are, “ Forward Man, Forward…. “
- September 7 is the 250th day of 2023. Just 98 days till Christmas. On this day in 1695, Henry Every perpetrates one of the most profitable pirate raids in history with the capture of the Grand Mughal ship Ganj-i-Sawai. In response, Emperor Aurangzeb threatens to end all English trading in India; Today in 1923, the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) is formed; Today in 1927,, hefirst fully electronic television system is achieved by Philo Farnsworth; Egypt holds its first-ever multi-party presidential election today in 2005; Today in 2008, the United States government takes control of the two largest mortgage financing companies in the US, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; Bitcoin becomes legal tender in El Salvador today in 2021; Grandma Moses, American painter was born today in 1860; J. P. Morgan Jr., American banker and philanthropist born today in 1867; Elia Kazan, Greek-American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter was born in 1909; Peter Lawford, English-American actor was born today in 1923; Daniel Inouye, American captain and politician, Medal of Honor recipient was born today in 1924; Sonny Rollins, American saxophonist and composer was born today 1930; John Paul Getty Jr., American-English philanthropist and book collector born today in 1932; Buddy Holly, American singer-songwriter and guitarist was born today in 1936; Julie Kavner, (AKA Marge Simpson) American actress was born today in 1950; Born today in 1951 Chrissie Hynde, American singer-songwriter and guitarist: Diane Warren, American songwriter was born today in 1956; LeRoi Moore, American saxophonist and songwriter (Dave Mathews Band) was born today in 1961; Bud Fisher, American cartoonist (creator of Mutt & Jeff) passed away today in 1954; Keith Moon, English drummer (The Who) died today in 1978; Edwin McMillan, American physicist and chemist, Nobel Prize laureate passed away today in 1991; Bibi Besch, Austrian-American actress passed away in 1996;Finally, we lost Warren Zevon, American singer-songwriter today in 2003.
This week’s Website Update:
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- Last week for the Vocabulary Quiz
- A New Musical Trivia Quiz Yeah!!!!
- I uploaded a new 5 Spice Grilled Chicken recipe. Very Good! I am working on another chicken recipe this week as well.
- The Home Page quote for this week is from Jimmy Buffett (Christmas Day 1946-September 1, 2023) Is it ignorance or apathy? I don’t know and I don’t care! ”
Writing, Ceramics, Bonsai Trees, Stained Glass, and Painting Update:
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- I still haven’t gotten to the Juniper that BJ got me for my Birthday.
- I am actually getting busy with the stained glass project this week! I set up a workstation in the garage and am working on a new design.
- I did manage to get some more of the paper editing done on Grandpa Stories”. My goal is 3-5 chapters each week till it is done.
Weird-Stuff-O-Meter:
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- I watched a video of a 2011 show Jimmy Buffett put on in Las Vegas. I was kind of surprised by how few of his old standards weren’t played. His new music was good but every show I ever went to always included at least 6-7 older songs in addition to the new music. The last show I saw was from his “Off to See the Lizard” tour. Like all the others, it was a great show! I am grateful that i got to see so many!
Music Update:
Here is a new batch of music for you to try out. This week I am going to play Jimmy off the stage with a full set of his gifts to us. If you aren’t a fan, just change the channel. The late Jimmy Buffett released a staggering total of 36 albums in his lifetime. This includes 29 studio albums, 9 compilation albums, 14 live albums, and 4 specialty albums. He authored 9 books and a couple of plays and musicals. Jimmy was the hero, “The Margarita Guy” of Jurassic World, and had lots of cameos in films such as Repo Man, Hook, and more. His friend Carl Hiaasen got him a speaking part as a science teacher in the movie from his book “Hoot”. Jimmy was also Frank Bama On Hawaii Five-O’s reboot. Yep To me he is a Renaissance Man in the same vein as Leonardo Da Vinci, Steve Allen, Ben Franklin, and Stephen Cannel. Audie Murphy, George Gomez, etc. who achieved great things in more than one school of thought or endeavor. Of course, Jimmy also wrote and performed the most lucrative song ever. “Margaritaville” is literally everywhere. I have sung it with Jimmy in concerts 6 or 7 times (I cannot recall the exact number too clearly). RIP, my friend.
This week’s UJT Radio Program:
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- Jimmy Buffet — He When to Paris — On Jimmy’s first live album and in concerts I have attended. He would make fun of himself, “People ask me how I can write those real sensitive songs and then write those real trashy ones. I tell them it’s because I’m real sensitive on some occasions and real trashy on others.” This was one of my favorite sensitive ones. Released in 1973 on his “White Sport Coat with a Pink Crustacean”.
- Jimmy Buffet — Coast of Marseilles is another favorite of mine. This is a deep cut from his “Son of Son of a Sailor” released in 1978.
- Jimmy Buffet — Chanson Pour Les Petits Enfants — This was a sweet deep cut from his album, “Volcano” released in 1979. It’s a lovely song that you might sing to a child. Another example of this intriguing man’s unique storytelling magic.
- Jimmy Buffet – Cowboy in the Jungle – Many nights alone and with friends, I have sung along with Jimmy’s, “Son of a Son of a Sailor” album released in 1978.
- Jimmy Buffet — One Particular Harbour— Another great storyteller song, this one is the title song off his 1983 release.
- Jimmy Buffet — Off to See the Lizard —Another great title song from another great album this one released in 1989.
- Jimmy Buffet — African Friend — From the vinyl !!!! Another wonderful ballad from our troubadour! Thoone is also from “The Son of a Son of a Sailor” released in 1978.
- Jimmy Buffet — A Pirate Looks at Forty — This one is a live version of an old favorite from their “Songs You Know by Heart” released in 1985. It was originally released on “A1A” released in 1974.
- Jimmy Buffet — Twelve Volt Man — With each song Jimmy shared another piece of himself. Sometimes he poked fun and others he just put it out there for us to see. Few of us can explain ourselves to ourselves let alone to millions of strangers. But then once you do, there are no strangers. This is a live version of the album he recorded in his home studio during the pandemic, “Songs That You Don’t Know by Heart” released in 2020.
- Jimmy Buffett – Oceans of Time – This a great cut from his last album, “Life on the Flip Side” also released in 2020. This song, written by Paul Brady & Sharon Vaughn seems like a fitting send-off. Thanks, Jimmy!
That’s it… Do the best you can; Laugh every chance you get; Always remember… The best is yet to come! As always, thank you for being my friend!