Halloween

BOOOoooOOOO!!!!!! Happy Halloween. I am still at the Applebeee's and I am still not makin the money I need to make life bearable. I am still not in NW Florida yet I am still as good looking as George Clooney-yet a little less smarmy. I am just posting this because Facebook has bored me tonight. If any one wants to speak up and post a comment I could make this a weekly thing. I might just change all of this up and make it for the family I miss teribly and post pictures of my children without all of the idiocy.

LATERON!

Sonnyfunk

It's been a long Time

I have had alot of weird stuff going on recently. I am still trying to talk the wife into leaving Ohio for the cozier confines of a NW Florida beach. I will tell you all about it when I get back on here next time. I should be able to be on here on either tues or weds night. IF you see this post-please comment. I'll be back>

XOXO Sonny

Dormant for a while

Well, I have been dormant for a while and I always intend to pick this back up. but with my work hours and the homelife--there isn't too much time. You might see an uptic here soon though. I can give a shout out to "Lousy Robot" I just bought their album on I-tunes and it is sacred in my book. I have more to talk about but the bed is calling me.
XOXO
Sonny

Yup-I am miserable

I really need to come back to the MID-South. The Mayoral election is coming up and I have so many new skills to bring to the Memphis/Mid-south area. Actually I am deeply homesick. I just wish I knew where that was. For a while I missed 282 Garland, and Oakbend drive, and Chinaberry and Valley springs dr. in Southaven. I don't know that I miss Memphis anymore.I just know that this isn't home. I feel comfortable in the cozy confines of a gigantic house, on the beach in South walton beach FLA. I am not spoiled. I have been there exactly once. It fit me like a glove. It did not fit my wallet. There is much to be said aboout a college degree. "If wishes were horses, I'd be full of horse$#!t and Knee high in hay" Any how. I wanna go to Mellow Mushroom every friday night, be on the beach a couple of hours a day and make a decent living. I would also like my family to live there. But that is not up to me. I digress, I am terribly depressed to the point of growing a mullet and looking for a '79 trans am & listening to Journey, just to relive the heyday. Not that I ever had a heyday. But it is my density..ohhh..my destiny. Viva la Playa!

It's been a long time

It's been a long time but I have been busy with the new job. I have worked 18 miles from my house or 25 mins. away. Then I was transferred to a store that was 45 mins. away. That was hard but a great store. I miss them much. I have a new store as of May 20th that I adore. It's slower which means less bonus and less people to do my evil bidding but it is staffed with alot of great people.
I have alot of new pics which I will post on here in a bit. I am trying to at least post once a week but no less than once a month. I do inventory and stay up til 5 a.m. most tues nights/weds mornings.So that's 2-3 hours I am still pumped and not able to sleep and nothing constructive to do.
I do lurve me some FACEBOOK though. I have connected with friends and people I have met and had good times with and seen that they are still as goofy, smart, cynical and even funnier than back in the 80's/90's/naught's.
Well, we have the annual July 4th party coming up and it looks to be a bust. The people that came last year have all made plans because they know I am in restaurants now and there is not a way I can get a Saturday off. Well I managed it, 'cuz I don't ask for much. I have another shoulder for BBQ, making ABT's, watermelon, burgers, brats, baked beans and games. Plus pyrotechnics at the end!
I am still looking forward to lifting up my friends and bring diverse people together. How very Obama of me--I really just wanna show off my skills to the people I like & love. If I must say it myself-I am a bad man when it come to a grill-I am using propane and lump charcoal grills this year! That's right - Dual grillin. Eat my smoke Bobby Flay!
So I'll give you some pictures to catch up on whilst you read this dry rambling post. Something I am not comfortable with in the FB world.

Really-Cardinals?

The 7th circle has frozen over. I predict a Cardinals win. At least I hope. I know it's been a long time but 52 years is a mighty long time for a championship. I've been extreamly busy. I'll post more when I have something other than work to talk about. I LOVE ME SOME CARDINALS-for the last 33 years or so they have been my team. I still have a pencil box from 5th grade with the cards on the top.
GO BIG RED!!!
SF

Merry Christmas

Christmas is almost gone but I have one video to give you. It's been a tight year for me and mine and for someof you out there, so I give you the KINKS! The video is not good but the audio is better than some.

Have yourself a Merry little Christmas!

Questions from the actor's studio

I've been meaning to post this for a long time. I have been thinking about it in general, but not about IT. So this week, I took some time to ponder, between my new job and Holiday preperations and the new puppy and I decided I would write it out. It's lame, everyone else did it a long time ago but I feel it is my duty (ha ha, I said duty) to post it. Plus, I got nothin'.
So's----here goes.

1. What is your favorite word?
Concierge- it basically means gopher but has such a ring to it.

2. What is your least favorite word?
Genre- I cannot stand reading it out loud. It makes me cringe and it also offends me as a question about the music I make, listen to or love.

3. What turns you on creativly, spiritually or emotionally?
Well, it has to be the ocean, on all of the above. Especially near Destin, South Walton, Panama City Beach. I have always been drawn to it.

4.What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Someone with no empathy, who cannot balance the other side or at least see that there is another opinion with some validity. And usually they are jackasses.

5. What sound or noise do you love?
My girls playing at the beach in the late afternoon.

6. What sound or noise do you hate?
Dishes clanking-it sends me into a epileptic type fit & I don't even notice it.

7. What is your favorite curse word?
I was working with a guy at a reataurant who I knew was pretty straight laced, I was working on my personal issues at that time and I slammed my finger in a drain and SCREAMED poopy, doo-doo, caca! He almost peed on himself and I had to crack up because I'd usually say something a little bit worse. So, for the record-POOPY, DOO-DOO, CACA. Said as fast as you can.

8. What other profession, other than your own, would you like to attempt?
Pilot-I love to fly. Highly paid session bassist might not be so bad.

9. What profession would you not like to do?
High School principal. At all. Maybe in the 50's when you could beat kids, but not now.

10. If Heaven exists, (and it does), what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?
Well mainly " Well done my good and faithful servant"- but any of these will be great
a) You da man!
b) Not yet dude!
c) Elvis has been asking for ya!
d) This way to the all you can eat hot wing, BBQ, pizza & stoganhoff food bar.
e) Hey...You wanna do over?
f) Ehhh...Notre Dame's OK, but I prefer the VOLS.
g) You're right. I do mess with the popular music every ten years just to screw with the parents. Next up-PUNK ROCK POLKA-hide your accordians.
h) So, Sonny, The reason the streets are paved out of gold is not for the beauty, durability or the cleanliness, it is to emphasise the fact that money has no power here just as stones on the road have no value on Earth.(dude, I totally got that from the jump)
& my favorite
i) Who's next to make a platypus?

Now make you own questions to ponder.
See you in the funny papers,
SF

no point here-just ramblin'

I know it has been a while, but I have a new job and I am working my butt off. Litereally. I have lost 6 ponds in 4 days and I have been on my feet for 9 hours out of 11 everyday. I am in training and I get to do all of the jobs in the restaurant from hosting, serving, cooking, managing and dishwashing-which I did today-and I'll do on Tuesday.
Dishwashing is a thankless job but a great diversion. You can just veg out and wash dishes and my favorite part is getting to a goal, a clean area. I am goal oriented. I like to see the finished product that I had a part in. I like to see my ideas flourish and I like a little recognition. I truly dislike constructive criticism. If you do not like what I am doing, tell me and give me a way to fix it. Don't beat around the bush and don't be a jerk about it. But above all, don't coddle me. I am a grown man and I can take it without holding a grudge or negative attitude. I have a really weird brain that forgives and forgets, mostly forgets and I realize that alot of what I do won't mean a hill of beans in 100 years. What will make a difference is if I am a good father to my daughters and set them up for success.
I could have done that in spades had I won that $207 million dollar Mega-millions. The winning ticket was sold about 40 miles from where I live. I didn't win so I guess I will go back to work and hopefully, lose another 10-15 pounds before New year's eve.
Although I do love my new job, I have been sitting on my netherparts for a good 2 years and I have gained 20 pounds NOT being in the restaurant business. That is almost impossible. I just like food and comfort food is my favorite. I likes me a lot of starches and grease and fried whatever. Of course I eat my vegetables and dairy---fried pickles and fried cheese---a lot of fish---fried catfish and tilapia sauteed in butter and the everpresent BBQ categories. I have tried dieting but that is not me. If I die a year or two earlier because of a pulled BBQ pork sandwich I had when I was 40, so be it. At least I won't spend that last pointless year of my life eating bland veggies and baked, dry chicken or bribing my army of caretakers to sneak me a Philly cheesesteak in with my nitro pills. I'd rather die fat & happy than skinny and miserable for the last 20 years of my life.
So in moderation I go. I am not giving up anything, but I will spring for the occasional Steak 'n Shake double steakburger with cheese, cheese fries and an extra large chocolate milkshake & smile.

Mmmmmm...Fried pickles
SF

I am back...for now.

It has been a whirlwind since I last blogged. I have been to Memphis and had no less than three Thanksgiving dinners. My Arizona Cardinals have clinched a spot in the playoffs. We have a new puppy, her name is Lilly and ohh, I quit my job. I also found a new job. I feel alot better about all of this because I thrive in chaos.
We went to memphis for Thanksgiving and stayed with my Mom for a couple of days, went to my cousins house to meet her new Hubby.He seems nice and he is a chef so we got along really well. It didn't hurt that he fixed all of the food and he could have fed about a dozen more of us. Had a great meal at my Mom's house the next night. I cooked ribs and ABT's for Thanksgiving proper. Friday we had pizza from Memphis Pizza Cafe and my stepsister and Brother in law came in with their kid Zach, whom we had never seen. He is a real cut up and ladies man. He's about 18 months old and is the center of attention. They also brought their dogs. Did I mention we have a new puppy. We took her too! In all Friday night there were 6 adults, 7 kids and 5 dogs all of varying sizes running around her house. I know she had to be frazzled. I was a little frazzled and I didn't even stay there that night.
Friday night we stayed with my sister and her kids and her dogs and I saw my Dad. The nephews already have their Christmas presents. A real live drum kit-one of the best I have ever seen and a guitar and amp that I wish I'd had when I was that age, heck I would have loved it when I was thirty. We made a lot of noise and the girls played doing what girls do and the dogs played doing what dogs do. A whole lotta sniffin and barkin. Wait, that sounds like what a lot of girls do. Anyway,we drove home in a wintery mix of snow rain and darkness and listened to Art Bell on the radio, turning the radio only to get football scores. I wish I had more time when I come into town and a list of phone numbers to get together with friends, but my family is super important to me and now that I am starting a new job, I won't get another vacation for about 6 months. And hopefully it will be spent mostly at the beach, with stops in Memphis on the way back.
Oh, the new job, well I am back in the restaurant bidness and I couldn't be happier. The pay is more, the benefits are better and if I work on my day off I actually get paid for it. I am salary + bonus and it is with a major chain. I won't mention it here but if you wanna come see me you'll be eatin good in the neighborhood. I have never been with a solid, major chain. I hope they don't go mixing up all of their rules and decide to fip their menu like everyother chain I have been with. It's not fancy but i can do fancy at home, and now I might be able to afford fancy now and again. So, yes I have mapped out my paydays to get all of the loans I have taken out back to their rightfull owners and I might be able to get that liposuction for my fat head. At least I can keep my gym membership. I have (or had) been running 2-3 miles a day, 5 days a week and working my upper body. I have not seen any results as of yet, but I feel a little better and it keeps me off the streets.
Well, that is all I have for now. Pictures to come after I get them from Mom. Our camera is KAPUT.
SF

Short recap

I went, I saw, I ate until I thought I was gonna burst. I am back from Memphis and am still on vacation. I am still contemplating the new job and I am putting up the old Christmas tree. It's a 6 1/2 foot tall, pre-lit beauty but it is so old some of the lights are out. I'll get back to the real posts and some pictures tomorrow or the next day----HEY, I am still on vacation.

I got nothin'

I got nothin' going on. Well, I really got a lot going on. We went to Sake' hibatchi table to celebrate my birthday. It's not really my birthday but we needed an excuse to spend that much money. I am still in a euphoric state from the Sake' special. Filet, lobster, shrimp, scallops, fried rice and veggies for two. Yes, I split it with my wife. She got lucky on that one.
I also have a new job offer on the table. It is not a lot of money and it is more hours, but it is back in the Restaurant bidness. I love the push & pull, the give & take of money vs time in my world. I am also contemplating cancelling my gym membership. I love going there. I hate getting up early in the morning to go there.
So, the Memphis trip is definately on and I could not be more excited. I am tempted to just quit my job and leave right now, but I have a chance to make a little money before I quit. IF I quit. The new job will pay a lot less than my last restaurant job and will take up alot of my time in the winter. It is a great time to start because restaurants usually do not begin hiring again until late winter/mid spring.
I am taking some music equipment to Memphis because my nephews have guitars and drums now and are pretty good. I just need a band name for us. I am going to record us either on 4 track tape, or 8 track digital. We are going to my cousins house on weds, Mom's house on Thurs, Shopping on Fri and a cookout on saturday. I hope I can meet up with one of my best friends I've know since kindergarten somewhere in between.
Sorry for the dry post but I am as full as a tick.

I cannot wait to see my Dad.
SF

Humor

I was just watching Letterman & he was interviewing the great Bill Cosby. Dude is sharp as a tack. Some things my parents gave me are my love of food, my love of music and my (twisted) sense of humor. I got my love of food from the cookouts we would have. I got my love of music from the Saturdays cleaning the house with the stereo full blast and I got my sense of humor from the albums my parents had. Flip Wilson, Redd Foxx, The Smothers Brothers and Dr. Bill Cosby.

If you like this check out youtube and see what other gems he has on there.
I'll be busy with my ark.
SF

Travel plans, Thanksgiving, restaurants

Well, we have decided to go to Memphis for Thanksgiving. I know, I know, stop the presses. But you might not understand. For one, I am missing my Father's side of the family's Thanksgiving which is this weekend. I miss that side alot. I have not seen any of them in about 2 years. I miss my other side of my family just as much. They are both different but similar. Both like to cut up and both like to eat but my Fathers side of the family likes to make plans and stick to them. Kinda like a schedule. I'm good with that, you know what you getting and when. My Mom's side is more of a seat of your pants kinda group. You never really know who will show up and when they will leave. I get a nice balance of spontaneity, goofiness, practicality and timeliness from them both. I hope I get to see everyone that is in town that 5 days.
That being said, I will be busier that a one legged waitress at the I-HOP. (sorry) I always get to town with a grand plan of getting to do exactly what I wanna do, when I wanna do it and nothing will stand in my way. Then reality sets in. I realize that the reason I am there is to reconnect with the people I love and the people that love me. No matter what. Sooooo...I decided to make a list of the things I would do after everyone was back to their work week and were sick of me mooching off of them. Deep down, well, you don't have to go too deep, I am a restaurant guy. I love the food and the atmosphere and people watching. I like checking out the customers, the staff and to see how the managers interact with guests. I also like seeing food that is on the cutting edge or eating food I haven't had since grade school. This is if I had no limits/time/money/obligation restrictions.
Here we go!
1)Run in either the Turkey Trot at Shelby farms or the Jingle Bell Run at Audubon park.
2)Go to the Enchanted Forrest with the girlies
3)Go to these restaurants that I have never been to:
a)Lolo's table
b)Gus's fried chicken
c)Sekisui-Midtown
d)Bigfoot Lodge
e)Tsunami--I worked for Chef Ben
f)McEwans on Monroe
g)Pearl's--love me some Oysters
h)Itta Bena
A long list but I have heard great things about these places.
4)Go to places I have been to:
a)The Pier-best I can do
b)Pete & Sam's=old school
c)Rendezvous-John Hiatt said it best
d)Jim's Place East
e)Owen Brennan's-Sunday Brunch
5)Go to these restaurants that I am more familiar with
a)Jarrett's-Rick and Barb are the best
b)Bosco's---MMmmm...Pizza
c)Cafe' Ole'
d)Young Ave. Deli

Of course I will not make it to all of those places. I will probably not make it to any of those places. it's nice to have dreams. Family comes first and that is the reason I go back to Memphis and if I can just spend some good time with my family on my vacation, it will be all worth it, especially since I am going for a good reason('cause I wanna) instead of a bad reason ('cause I have to).
I'll post more of what I would like to take the time to do when I get time and when I am not craving spinach and mushroom quesadillas & bacon wrapped BBQ shrimp from Cafe' Ole'
Don't forget the Pancho's cheese dip,
SF

I'm over it.

Well, I am over it. I didn't quit my job and I really don't think anything bad will happen to my long term fiscal future. 'Cuz I don't have one. I didn't quit my job because it is the only place I can sit around all day and surf the webs and get paid (meagerly) for it. I didn't move out of the country because, well, it is my country and it would take a lot to ruin it. There is still football, bratwursts and rock n roll, so I won't complain just yet.
So there-I am not giving up hope just yet-everyone fears uncertain change but my life has almost always been about change.
Now it is time for me to change my answering machine message from "if this is a political phone call-I ain't answering. If it is a real phone call leave a message"

SF

p.s. R.I.P. Hank Hill

Unbelievable

ARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!! I'll be over it by tomorrow...or Saturday...or 2012.

At least I won't have to worry about putting gas in my car or the mortgage anymore.
I will quit my job tomorrow too.
SF

Influential songs

I thought I would put some of the rock songs I have been influenced by. Most of the stuff that has influenced my playing & writing have been from people that I am related to or so far off the radar screen they might not have ever existed in the real world. Maybe I just dreamed them...Hmmmm. Most aren't even on u-toob.

Yep, the first rock I heard was the Freakin' Who. I Saw "TOMMY" at the drive ins with the "rents too.------Next is the first Queen song I ever heard-well maybe. Gotta love fat bottom girls. I know I do.-----
Man I could not get enough of this song when it came out-especially the live version. My Dad bought me the most killer stero that a 13 year old could have and I blasted it every day when I came home to an empty house. I present to you JOURNEY.
-----
If I could play like this guy, I would have it made. I still love me some "Emotions in Motion" ------
This song better be played at my funeral & Todd better be there, -----
This song led me to believe that you could do more with guitars than country or hard rock. -----
This song will also be played at my funeral. I have always loved this song. It is so fitting that I live in Ohio now. It is not the same without Bill Berry. Man love that song.-------
This song is very special to me. If'n you know the band you understand. It brings back good memories. It has about 7 levels of longing and ache in it. I'd have to splain it to you but you might not understand.
This is my alltime favorite GBV jam. Not something to be buried with but really close. My oldest girl would probably throw a copy of GLAD GIRLS in the furnace with me 'cuz it's the only one she knows, But this one is one of my favorite GBV songs. ------
I do not agree with the wording of this song-I do agree with the sentiments and the music is perfect. I love this song. I am really into this right now
SOooo....that is enough of the celebration of Sonnyfunk at the moment. I will do a regional recap of music if I feel like it soon.
Hope you had a productive day-I didn't
SF

College football, more musical influenza, random poo

I gots the hum drums. I have had them for a while. I will not take medication for them. I am not like the enlightened one Tom Cruise, but I am trying to keep my brain from feeling any of the ill effects of chemicals. I have already done enough to damage it. Football, rockclimbing, college years, breakdancing....you know, too much head truama. So when I am down I look to the past and usually it comes up in the music I haven't listened to in a while. Well, I flat out dig this. Check this out by the Breeders. I met Kim once, shook the drummers hand and worked with one of the bass players recently.
I like it and if you don't, go to youtube and fire what you like back at me...Listen to this song 3 x in a row and you will be humming it all day the next day.

SO The Vols lost again, I have hope for the next year and It does not matter until my 12 year old gets to go to the Promised Land of Knoxville & I get season tickets, that they win and win like it is their job. Cuz it is their job, to keep that scholorship. Unfortunately, Bama is looking good to take the title game and make USC/OK pay for even thinking about playing the S.E.C. Man it stinks to be a redneck in a buckeye world.


SF

P.S.
Yes this is a stall. I'll be back with pics and posts by tuesday at the latest.

Breaking News-San Francisco falls in the ocean.

(rant on)
San Francisco has decided to put proposition K on the ballot which forbids local authorities from investigating, arresting or prosecuting anyone selling sex. So now San Fran can boast of "medical" marijuanna clubs, gayness beyond gay, sado-masochism festivals and legal prostitution. I am sure San Fran is a great place for restaurants, has some cool people & some of the highest property values in the world, but I expect it to drop into the sea right...about...NOW!
(rant off)
SF

Bama -vs-TN, GnR

The big day is upon us. The only way for the Vols to salvage this season is to beat Bama's brains out. At least that would ease the pain of not going to a BCS bowl. Being a Vol fan isn't easy this year. Crappy overall record, a dismal 1-3 conference record & everyone wants Phil's head on a platter stuffed with pecan dressing. I don't blame Coach Fulmer. He has no QB to work with, an average front line, 2 mediocre RB's and a defense that only wants to administer "Oooohhh Licks". My Jr. High coach told us an "Oooohhhh Lick" was one hit that makes the whole crowd go Oooohhh! The problem, with that is you gotta wrap up the runner after that. It seems the defensive players all just wanna get on Sportscenter & aren't playing as a team.
I am calling this one for Bama. The Tide wins 17-13. Probably would have been the same had it been in Tuscaloosa. This is UT vs Bama. One of the biggest rivalries in the south. I don't really care about the Ohio State vs Michigan game but I really get pumped up for the Vols/Crimson Tide game.
This all started in grade school. My neighbor across the street was a big Bama fan and a world class jerk. He had a big mouth and small brain. Used the mouth alot and the brain not so much. He was mouthing off about Bama beating UT one year and when they lost, I let him have it for months. It also stems from my uncle handing down a TN jersey that was bright orange an 2 sizes too big for me. Even though it was from UT-Martin, it was orange and I pretended it was a Vols jersey. So at 7:45 ET, I will be watching the game in my Vols hoodie, flying my Orange flag & eating elephant burgers. I like to pull for the underdog.

Speaking of underdogs. Guns and Roses released their long awaited title track from Chinese Democracy this week. The release date will be Nov. 23rd for the entire album with a vinyl LP that comes with a digital download. I am not a huge fan of GnR but I don't dislike their music. I find it interesting that it was reported that they have spent over $13 million dollars on one album. Oh yeah...this was reported in 2005...by someone who had not been in on the project for 6 years. That is a lotta scratch for 14 tracks. Just give me 1/10th of that and I'll give you an all out rocker in less than half the time. I can't judge the new CD, but I am pretty sure it will not be ground breaking to the tune of $13mil plus. I hope the best for them because they need to sell alot of digital downloads to break even. That being said, this is supposed to be a trilogy and that makes it a little easier to swallow. But they all better rock my face off. I'd like to have it just to see what kind of studio tricks were involved.
If I run across some extra money that I cannot figure out how to spend, I might go get it. Until than I'll be singing Rocky Top. If Bama wins, I'll have to call my stepdad and take it on the chin. (he's a big Bama fan). If UT wins I might do an online search to find the moron from grade school's number and call him up & give him a big, long distance bronx cheer.

Go Vols,
SF