Post Title? I'll Go With "The Bird."

 

It was 45 years ago this week that Johnny Cash made his first performance of several at San Quentin Prison. 

"He entertained the inmates for free, including Merle Haggard, who was serving a little under three years for burglary. Cash had already hit the country charts over 30 times, and had a couple of current singles, 'Second Honeymoon' on Columbia Records, and 'Mean Eyed Cat' from the Sun Records vaults." (sympatico.ca/gary.lessard) 

Photo: takegreatpictures.com 

Click here for another cool picture

Nostalgia; [n.] Longing For Something Past, Homesickness.

To those in Bakersfield that Waist High blew off while there this past week: Please accept my apologies.

My nostalgia for the town got the best, and the worst of me. I spent the better part of the day sitting in the bleachers of my high school football stadium. Long and pitiful story. I had to then leave town suddenly to try to get through the Siskiyou Pass (elevation 4310), the highest point on all of Interstate 5, before they closed it.

Happy New Year.

Happy Birthday Paul Westerberg.

Just Moments Ago...

Greatest quote heard by Waist High this Holiday Season: "You can tell alot about a person by the condition of their mini blinds."

Merry Christmas From The Golden Empire.

The staff of Waist High is having quite a ball here in Bakersfield. However, this thing that you Californians pay called sales tax is killing us.

Of all the action in the only 36 hours we have been here, pulling up right next to Mr. Tibb's Ribs' smoker in the parking lot of Vons on New Stine Road just to get a whiff, has been the most pleasurable.

Oh, and if you are the person who let us know last night that not only have you been to this site, but that you are one of it's "regular readers," just know that while trying to fall asleep, we were mentally scanning all of our 404 posts thinking, "OH MY GOD SHE READ ABOUT THAT!" and "OH MY GOD SHE HAS READ THAT ONE!" and "HOLY SHIT SHE KNOWS ABOUT THAT TOO!"

As we sit here in Bake Town, we were reading some of the comments at Bake Town, the site devoted entirely to "Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About The Hottest Place To Be."

Merry Christmas Readers.

Waist High is off to Bakersfield. 14 hours in THE CAR with:
1. My mother, who says things like "Chop Chop" to get me to do things faster
2. My mother's cat
3. My daughter, who is on her period

Happy Birthday Christopher Hamill.

Waist High's First Annual 'Holiday Newsletter.'

I would like to say Merry Christmas to:
1. The citizenry of Bakersfield
2. My 4 Bakersfield readers
3. Annoying Rosedale couple and TOO MUCH TIME ON THEIR HANDS elitists Carla and Tom Romesberg

Carla and Tom have recently been rejoicing as: "A complex of 200 apartments near an expensive neighborhood of Rosedale homes was rejected Thursday night by the Bakersfield Planning Commission. The proposal stirred up a storm of opposition from homeowners in the area of Jenkins Road and Rosedale Highway. The storm got organized into a formal anti-apartment fight. 'First it took place in my kitchen,' said organizer Tom Romesberg. 'Then it got too big and we had it in my garage.'" (bakersfield.com)

Mrs. Romesberg, earlier in the proceedings, stated that she was a little uncomfortable with 'those kind of people' potentially living so close to her collection of holiday sweaters.

This Week In That Rock And Roll Rubbish.

December 16-22 was quite a week for Rock And Roll: In 1954 "Shake Rattle and Roll" became the first rock and roll song to make it onto the U.K. singles chart. It was performed by Bill Haley and His Comets.

During the same week in 1962: The Tornadoes became the first British group to hit number 1 in the U.S. when "Telstar" spent it's first of 3 weeks at the top. They were ahead of The Beatles by a little over 13 months. (sympatico.ca/gary.lessard)

"Sing Me Back Home" Merle.

 

Anyone else see Merle Haggard on Larry King this evening? Nice plug for the Crystal Palace and Bakersfield, but he didn't seem too happy to be there discussing his 3 years in San Quentin, let alone Scott Peterson. 

Need a holiday gift idea? You can never go wrong giving the gift of Merle. I suggest 2001's 4 volume series. 

Catch Merle in Bakersfield January 1 at Buck Owens' Crystal Palace 7 p.m. 

Photo: countrymusicnews.ca

Local Goodness.

 

Congratulations to the Wilsonville High School Wildcats Football Team: Brand New State Champions! 

(registerguard.com) EUGENE -- Wilsonville would have preferred a shutout. 

But the top-ranked Wildcats settled for a perfect season Saturday as they overwhelmed Tri-Valley League rival Sherwood in the second half to pull away for a 37-13 victory in the OSAA Class 3A state championship football game at Autzen Stadium. 

Ranked No. 1 beginning with the first preseason poll in September, Wilsonville finished with a sterling 14-0 record, the school's first state title in football and a small measure of redemption after losing to Marist in last year's 3A finale. 

Photo: Wilsonville Spokesman

Teenagers: Always One Step Ahead.

The above entitled individual, whom I gave birth to 16 years 3 months ago, ran up a $1,000 cell phone bill last month. Bless her heart, her father loves her so much he got her a cell phone last year. Bless his heart, he pays the bill and I don't get involved.

Word on the street is that the father who loves his daughter so much that he went ahead and paid the $1,000 bill is not feeling all that Merry this Christmas, and the child will more than likely be getting socks.

Last night while driving in the Ford Taurus I told the above entitled individual that I felt bad that her father works so hard for his money and that she is constantly draining his bank account.

The child's only comment: "Drained."

Happy Birthday Mike Scott.

"Gummer" Correction.

 

Attention Rosedale, California resident Carla Romesberg: "Those type of people" live in the 93308 zip code not the 93306 zip code. Per my previous post, I stand corrected. Now, don't you have anything better to do? 

Photo: westcoastroads.com

93309 Por Vida.

The below messages were left on Waist High's cell phone Saturday evening by special correspondent to Waist High "Tri-Tip."

1. A gummer is one of the words that "Tri-Tip" has used for years to describe a certain population of people in my (and his) hometown.
2. I guess it is only fitting that Waist High would receive phone calls like this.

Saturday 11:43 p.m.
"Hey. It's 'Tri-Tip' giving you an update. We are now at the Pour House. Excuse me. Yes, that's what I said. The Pour House. Um. There were almost fisticuffs at the Alley Cat because my ______ _________ __ _______ was there and he was, uh, fried out of his mind and uh, there was a situation. But um we took care of it. We left. Everybody is in tact. Now we're at the Pour House. Uh, I will check in again at another time and place. We're at Gummerville U.S.A. now. Gummerville U.S.A. We're off of Fruitvale Avenue. Gummerville. I am in trouble. But. Uh. Anyway. I will get back to you as soon as I can."

Saturday 12:06 a.m.
"Ah, this is 'Tri-Tip' reporting in from Bakersfield California. Reporting in to Oregon. Uh. (laughing) I'm in a far far away land right now. But I'm having a really good time. So anyways. Have a merry Christmas. And uh, I will get back to you here. I had a couple of scummers here in the bathroom right now so I had to like, like, cloak it. But it's all good now. Everybody's gone. But. I. Instead of ordering 1 glass of beer I ordered a pitcher. It is 'Tri-Tip' signing out from Bakersfield California from the Pour House. I will talk to you later. Bye."

Cash: Poor. Daughter Full Of Surprises: Rich.

 

My Lovely Teenaged Daughter just one hour ago: "You can't even afford to go to the grocery store, how are you going to afford to get your Master's Degree?" 

Photo of My Lovely Teenaged Daughter and her friend that is a boy, evidently about to kiss, courtesy of: my computer where I just discovered it

Happy Birthday Neville Keighley.

Also known as: Belouis Some. Sorry Neville but there are no pictures of you to be had.

Happy Birthday Cy Curnin.

 

Lead singer of The Fixx, "First introduced to a mass audience in 1982 with their debut album Shuttered Room." 

Photo: The Fixx in Oakland, California 1983 

Quote: Andrew Lee Hunn both via thefixx.com

Feeding Frenzy? T-Minus 13 Days.

 

As the staff at Waist High prepare to vacation in the lovely city of Bakersfield, California for the Christmas holiday, they are currently in discussions about each and every place that they will feed their faces while on said holiday. 

Those that read this site regularly know how much we suffer here at Waist High for the lack of proper Mexican food in the Portland, Oregon area. Since we REALLY REALLY look forward to our yearly trip to the land in which proper Mexican food is plentiful, we plan these things way in advance. 

The discussions here in the offices of Waist High have included talk of the restaurant 'El Jacalito' and whether or not it is in Lamont or Arvin and whether or not it should be visited upon by individuals who, since they have no proper Mexican restaurants in their area, plan to eat Mexican food non-stop. The. Entire. Christmas. Holiday. 

Thoughts of El Jacalito reminded one member of the Waist High staff of a cute tale. The Waist High staff member recalled that she once knew a gentleman who when in a situation where he didn't exactly want to tell folks that he was from the Lamont/Arvin area, would say, "I'm from L.A." 

El Jacalito Restaurant 10009 Main Street Lamont, CA 93241 (661) 845-4598 

Photo: westcoastroads.com

"Change. You Can Change."

Note to My Lovely Teenaged Daughter: If we constantly bicker about our hatred for each other's music, then I should not overhear you telling your friend that your mom "has alot of good eighties music."

What's Wrong With Portland.

 

Of Loretta Lynn's 5 Grammy nominations on Tuesday, she says that she is most pleased with "Portland Oregon," nominated for Best Country Collaboration. 

"It's my favorite," she said. "I was in Portland, Oregon, when I wrote it. I got to thinking that everybody writes about Texas what's wrong with Portland, Oregon?" 

Speaking of alcohol, Bake Town describes precisely what Waist High will in fact be doing over the Christmas holiday. 

Photo: pbs.org 

Idea pinched from: Tim Riley's City Desk

Makes Sense To Me...

 

What is wrong with asking (your child) if dinner (for child and mother) at your (mother's) favorite restaurant (in her hometown) could be considered a Christmas present for that (child)? 

Child to Mother: "How is dinner at Mexicali a Christmas present for me?" Mother: "I thought that is your favorite restaurant too." 

Photo: That child in her more flexible days

Sorry Ruth. Sorry Curt. Sorry Roland.

 

Lovely Teenaged Daughter: "I hate your music!" Waist High: "I hate your music more!" 

(Cut to the Ford Taurus Friday Night) Lovely Teenaged Daughter SINGING ALONG TO WAIST HIGH'S tape: "When people run in circles it's a very, very. Mad world..." (She had to say it): "I don't like this version as much." (Thinking Tears For Fears had done a cover of Gary Jules' "Mad World.") 

Side Note: At the TFF concert in September, before they played "Mad World," both Curt and Roland commented on how they now feel like when they sing it they ARE doing a cover. 

(Cut to last night in the living room) Waist High: "As you get older and older you tend to start to listen to the music that your parents listened to." 

Lovely Teenaged Daughter: "I will never listen to your music. Ever!" 

(Rewind to one month ago) Lovely Teenaged Daughter: "Do you have any Simple Minds tapes? I heard a song I like." 

Cut to Waist High straightening up Lovely Teenaged Daughter's room this morning and glancing at the sleeve to one of her CD's where she discovers some band called The Bled, containing the song "Ruth Buzzi Better Watch Her Back." 

Photo: rowanandmartinslaughin.com

Sorry About The Drop In Sales Parliament...

 

20 year smoker Waist High celebrates 14 days smoke free today. Note to authors of The Complete Idiot's Guide To Quitting Smoking: not once during a VERY INTENSE craving have I thought, "Gee, I think CLIMBING A TREE will help me through this." 

Photo of Waist High and the individual who offered Waist High her first cigarette courtesy of: The Waist High Collection

Title Of This Post: Pissed Off!

 

Is it true my Bakersfield readers, that while it was a crisp 45 degrees today here in Portland, that it was 89 DEGREES in your town? 

Photo of the now closed Siskiyou Pass on Interstate 5 at the Oregon/California border courtesy: ODOT

Happy Birthday Rick Buckler.

(Formerly) of The Jam.

Hip Hip Hooray For "Online Personal Journals." Where Can I Get One?

 

(kptv.com) SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- The most asked for definition on Merriam-Webster's Web site is for a word that's not even in the dictionary. 

The company says more requests were made for the word "blog" this year than any others. The word is short for "Web log." 

Editors had planned to add it to next year's edition, but to meet demand, quickly added it to the Internet site. Merriam-Webster defines a blog as "a Web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments and often hyperlinks provided by the writer." 

Other words on this year's most requested are "incumbent," "insurgent" and "cicada." 

"Waist High-View" via: venturapacific.net

Reason Number 39...

That Waist High loves Buck Owens.

Outback Steakhouse. Family Eatery Or "High Risk" Location?

Waist High (a 20 year smoker) is now 11 days smoke free.

Helping her through the process is The Complete Idiot's Guide To Quitting Smoking. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is considering quitting smoking, as it guides you through each and every feeling and stage of the process. The trick to the book however, is that you actually have to do what it tells you to do.

One of the author's suggestions I shall quote here: "We highly recommend avoidance of high-risk situations for the first week or two. Examples include bars, parties, breaks at work, and basically anything else that involves other smokers and or alcohol."

So the VERY HIGH RISK scenario Wednesday night can be summed up in 11 words: (chain smoking coworkers outback steakhouse alcohol greasy meal long drive home)

Waist High didn't smoke, but she did not listen to the professionals. When they say avoid HIGH RISK SITUATIONS FOR THE FIRST WEEK OR TWO.

Would you believe that there are still "Schick Centers."

"At Schick, in just five days you lose the nicotine craving that drives you to smoke thousands of life-threatening cigarettes each year. Out of 100 people going through the program to stop smoking, 93 will stop within five days."

1-800-CRAVING

Volcano Update.

 

(katu.com) Mount St. Helens Is Washington State's New Top Polluter 

SEATTLE - Washington state's top polluter is not a pulp mill, a power plant or refinery, it is actually the newly awakened Mount Saint Helens. 

Since the volcano began erupting in early October, it has been pumping out 50 to 250 tons a day of sulfur dioxide, the lung-stinging gas that causes acid rain and contributes to haze. 

At peak, that's more than double the amount from all the state's industries combined. 

Photo: USGS

"Buried In His Jammies."

If you grew up in the bowels of Southern California---you went to see The Treasures of Tutankhamen in 1978.

After 27 years, Tutankhamun and the Golden Age
of the Pharaohs is returning to Los Angeles. Read more.

The exhibit will be hosted by the LACMA June 16, 2005-November 15, 2005.

"Dirtball Quote Of The Week."

"Hell yes I'd blast a deer with tear gas!"