March 26, 2005
Them Deep Ellum blues
He looked like he was about 12. One of those kids who's the first in his class to grow really groovy sideburns. And he assured us the band playing Adair's on this desolate Monday night in Deep Ellum was worth a look.
"Do they play Johnny Cash," we asked.
"Yup, but it has sort of a ... reggae feel."
That was all we needed. So we bounced into the bar, stepping over a cord leading to the amplifier the bassist was setting up, and headed back to the pool table.
This was our traditional "friends night," the evening we reserve during NAA conferences to hang out with folks we like instead of networking with vendors and pretenders. Rusty, Elaine, Pat, Ken, Jay and I were looking for music, but not much was happening in Deep Ellum. We settled for Adair's. Good move.
The band, Jeramie Crawford, lived up to its promise. The sideburned 12-year-old turned out to be a pretty respectable guitarist. And they played Cash's Ring of Fire. With a reggae feel. At least three times by my count.
I remember Jay standing on the bar, writing on the ceiling. I came to the startling realization that "Rusty" really is Larry. Jay became Elaine's bitch. And we all danced the dance of drunken white boys (and an Asian American girl). The image of Jay cutting the rug still is burned in my mind. My therapist will enjoy many hours of helping me try to come to grips with that.
The band was very obliging, perhaps because of all the shots we bought them. We even bought Crawford's "Fog and High Beams" CD, which turned out to be pretty good. The Maker's Mark and diet Coke didn't cloud my judgment that much.
Great, great time. Sometimes I marvel at what tremendous friends I have ...
Posted by Bob Benz at 7:12 PM | Comments (2)
My living will
I realize this probably won't hold up in court, but it still serves as a public declaration to everyone who knows me that I don't want to be kept on life support when it makes no sense to do so. The moral here: If in doubt, pull the plug. This crap in Florida really freaked me out. This should leave no doubt of my wishes ...
ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE
I, Robert John Benz, being of sound mind and at least 18 years of age, declare that:
(1) END-OF-LIFE DECISIONS: I direct that my health care providers and others involved in my care provide, withhold, or withdraw treatment in accordance with the choice I have marked below: (Initial only one box)
* [X] (a) Choice NOT To Prolong Life. I do not want my life to be prolonged if (1) I have an incurable and irreversible condition that will result in my death within a relatively short time, (2) I become unconscious and, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, I will not regain consciousness, or (3) the likely risks and burdens of treatment would outweigh the expected benefits, OR
* [___] (b) Choice To Prolong Life. I want my life to be prolonged as long as possible within the limits of generally accepted health care standards.
(2) RELIEF FROM PAIN: Except as I state in the following space, I direct that treatment for alleviation of pain or discomfort should be provided at all times even if it hastens my death:
____________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________.
(3) OTHER WISHES: (If you do not agree with any of the optional choices above and wish to write your own, or if you wish to add to the instructions you have given above, you may do so here.) I direct that:
Not applicable_______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________
(4) PRIMARY PHYSICIAN -(OPTIONAL).
* I designate the following physician as my primary physician:
_________________________________
(name of physician)
_______________________________________________________________________
(address) (city) (state) (zip code)
_________________________________
(phone)
OPTIONAL: If the physician I have designated above is not willing, able, or reasonably available to act as my primary physician, I designate the following physician as my primary physician:
* _________________________________
(name of physician)
_______________________________________________________________________
(address) (city) (state) (zip code)
_________________________________
(phone)
(5) DONATION OF ORGANS AT DEATH - (OPTIONAL).
Notwithstanding my previous declaration relative to the withholding or withdrawal of life-prolonging procedures, if as indicated below I have expressed my desire to donate my organs and/or tissues for transplantation, or any of them as specifically designated herein, I do direct my attending physician, if I have been determined dead according to Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 68-3-501 (b), to maintain me on artificial support systems only for the period of time required to maintain the viability of and to remove such organs and/or tissues.
* [X] (a) I give any needed organs, tissues, or parts, OR
* [___] (b) I give the following organs, tissues, or parts only.
* [X] (c) My gift is for the following purposes: (strike any of the following you do not want)
o (1) Transplant
o (2) Therapy
o (3) Research
o (4) Education
In the absence of my ability to give directions regarding the use of such life-sustaining procedures, it is my intention that this declaration shall be honored by my family and physician(s) as the final expression of my legal right to refuse medical or surgical treatment, and I accept the consequences from such refusal.
I understand the full import of this declaration and I am emotionally and mentally competent to make this declaration.
I execute this declaration, as my free and voluntary act, on this 26 day of March, 2005, in the City of Knoxville, County of Knox, State of Tennessee.
/s/______________________________________
Robert John Benz
Posted by Bob Benz at 7:00 PM | Comments (4)
March 17, 2005
Big Bone Lick
LBJ got a taste of Big Bone Lick (State Park) during a recent trip to Cincinnati. And he liked it.
The little feller from the big ol' state went to Cincinnati, where he made a lot of new friends and engaged in stimulating discussions about online tactics and strategies. But he was most impressed with northern Kentucky, home of Big Bone Lick State Park and more Daniel Boone references than you can shake a stick at.
Photos at the bottom of this page and here, too.
LBJ also had a bit of a scare on his way back from Denver last week. Delta Airlines decided to help him rack up some frequent flier miles while he was riding in my luggage, and he was missing in action for a day or two. Not sure where all he went. He's not talking, and Delta has issued only a terse "no comment."
Next stop: Dallas, Texas, where the Loon is bracing for a presidential encounter.
Now playing: Keep My Skillet Good And Greasy from the album "The Asch Recordings, Vol. 2: Muleskinner Blues" by Woody Guthrie
Posted by Bob Benz at 8:35 PM | Comments (2)
March 13, 2005
LBJ's Rocky Mountain high ...
LBJ made his way to Denver, where he generally ran amok and had a presidential good time.
During his most recent trip, our little president got to play with camels, hang out in Denver drinking establishments and experience a weekend of infinite Totsy.
He added a lot of new photos to his collection, especially on the second and third index pages. Make sure you check them out. LBJ would be much obliged.
And here are a few non-LBJ related Denver photos.
Now playing: 99 Year Blues from the album "Burgers" by Hot Tuna
Posted by Bob Benz at 8:44 PM | Comments (3)
March 6, 2005
Go west, LBJ
LBJ hopped a plan and headed to the left coast for a few days last week, getting a gander of the Pacific Ocean and meeting lots of cool people along the way.
I've been amazed at how much people like to have their pictures made with LBJ. Everyone from HowardOwens.com to random folks at Ventura, Calif., bars to Internet Movers and Shakers to patron saints.
He's also getting some play on one or two other blogs ...
Needless to say, a good time was had by all.
But LBJ is suffering a bit of jet lag and he needed a bit of recovery during the weekend. Next stop: Denver, Colorado.
And don't forget, you can see all of LBJ's antics and travels here.
Now playing: Tore Up Over You from the album "Don't Let Go (Disc2)" by Jerry Garcia Band
Posted by Bob Benz at 8:50 PM | Comments (0)
March 5, 2005
Motley Wordsworth ...
I came across this quote in a Jon Pareles review of Motley Crue's show at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night:
"Wordsworth described poetry as 'emotion recollected in tranquillity'; for Motley Crue, rock has become excess recollected in sobriety."
Amusing.
Full review here.
Now playing: Soul Suckin' Jerk from the album "Mellow Gold" by Beck
Posted by Bob Benz at 8:17 PM | Comments (0)