Flashback Friday: 7/27/90

 Good evening, everyone. Late last night, I stated on here that I was afraid my old LG Stylo 4 had taken a dirt nap. Lo and behold, it did. Isn't able to maintain a charge of any sort after I let the battery run out and die. Not to worry though, for I was in radio silence for all of about six hours. I now am the new owner of a Samsung Galaxy A13, and from the limited amount of time I've had the device, I like it. It passes the selfie test, and it passes the sunset test. 
 

Enough about my new plaything though, let's do a Friday Flashback. This week, we're going back to probably the best summer of my youth, 1990. Here were the Top 40 hits for this weekend thirty-two years ago.

40. Oh Girl by Paul Young

39. (Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection by Nelson. Remember my Nelson story from my post back in November? Yeah, that's them.

38. Poison by Bell Biv Devoe

37. Close To You by Maxi Priest. Not to be confused with hard rockers Judas Priest like former DJ John Garabedian did on the "Open House Party" show all those years ago. In fact, I didn't know that show was still around until just now.

36. It Must Have Been Love by Roxette. True story, I was driving back from North Carolina to Virginia when I lost control of my car and rolled it in a ditch. Somehow, I survived, but it would affect me for the rest of my life. If you ever get to know me well enough, I'll probably tell you. Anyway, that's the song that was playing on my radio at the time.

35. Can't Stop Falling Into Love by Cheap Trick. Incredibly, the opposite usually happens to me.

34. Pure by Lightning Seeds

33. Epic by Faith No More. My sophomore year English teacher (Mrs. Timmins) kinda sounded like the lead singer for the group whenever the singer asks, "What is it?"

32. Do Me! by Bell Biv Devoe. Smack it up, rub it down oh noooooooo...

31. I'll Be Your Shelter by Taylor Dayne. I still have nightmares about then-American Top 40 host Shadoe Stevens's strange fixation with that artist.

30. You Can't Deny It by Lisa Stansfield

29. The Girl I Used To Know by Brother Beyond. Their only hit to my recollection

28. Blaze Of Glory by Jon Bon Jovi. This was his solo effort for the movie "Young Guns"

27. Love And Emotion by Stevie B

26. I Didn't Want To Need You by Heart

25. Hold On by En Vogue

24. The Other Side by Aerosmith

23. My Kinda Girl by Babyface

22. Make You Sweat by Keith Sweat

21. Tonight by New Kids On the Block

20. Don't Go Away Mad, Just Go Away by Motley Crue. To my knowledge, I've only said something like this to one woman. No, I don't want to talk about her.

19. Unskinny Bop by Poison

18. Across The River by Bruce Hornsby & the Range

17. Release Me by Wilson Phillips. Chynna was definitely the most attractive of that trio.

16. Jerk Out by Morris Day and the Time

15. Enjoy The Silence by Depeche Mode

14. Have You Seen Her by MC Hammer. If you do, please let me know.

13. Hanky Panky by Madonna. Remember when she made music for the movie "Dick Tracy?" I do, unfortunately

12. The Power by Snap. Interesting story behind this song as far as the rapper who replaced the original one from that group just as it was getting released.

11. Possession by Bad English

10. Could This Be Love by Seduction

  9. King Of Wishful Thinking by Go West

  8. When I'm Back On My Feet Again by Michael Bolton. Thankfully, we never had to hear this song again after 1990. Not cancel culture, it just absolutely sucked (too sappy)!

  7. Cradle Of Love by Billy Idol. I loved this song, and especially the video.

  6. If Wishes Came True by Sweet Sensation. Well, as Burgess Meredith said in "Grumpy Old Men," you can wish in one hand and crap in the other and see what gets filled first.

  5. Girls Nite Out by Tyler Collins

  4. Come Back To Me by Janet Jackson

  3. She Ain't Worth It by Glenn Medeiros with Bobby Brown. Oh really? I said just yesterday that my favorite bartender was worth it. I think you have her confused with someone else.

  2. Rub You The Right Way by Johnny Gill

and the number one song on this date 32 years ago was...

  1. Vision Of Love by Mariah Carey. And the rest is herstory...

That's a wrap on this entry, and what was a very trying week for me personally. I think tomorrow, I'll continue working on the drawing/painting I started earlier this week. As well as catch F1 qualifying from Hungary. Until next time, be well.  

AND GOOD LUCK ON TONIGHT'S $1.1 BILLION MEGA MILLIONS DRAW!!!!

CT

Phone Phallacies...

 Hello once again, except for the 41 Republican members of the Senate who voted against expanding healthcare to Veterans exposed to burn pits during our "forever wars" in Iraq and Afghanistan, blocking passage of a bill that would have expanded them. As a former Veteran, although I may not have participated in said burn pits, allow ne to give a heart f*** you to those Senators.

The main crux of what I wanted to talk about this late night has to do with mobile phones, in particular my mobile phone which may have taken a dirt nap this afternoon. Remember when I said in one of my posts that I was making a small amount of coin? Well, that was because I had downloaded an app called "Just Play," where you can earn coins by playing games on your phone in which you can convert to a payout to your bank account thru PayPal, usually a couple of dollars here and there. The only catch is that some of the games when you download to your phone are slllllooooowwwweeeerrr ttthhhhhaaaaannn mmmmoooooolllllllaaassssseessss iiinnnn Jjjjjaaaannnnnuuuuaaaarrry.

One such game was 2248 puzzle, where you could get coins if you reach a certain level. Problem is the game kept crashing and slowing down my device, an LG Stylo 4. So, after starting to get annoyed with the game, I uninstalled it. So, I looked for another game to get coin from, and i came across a three-matching game. Simple enough, right? Wrong. For when I opened the game, the phone stuck. I ttried to reboot it several times but the phone would eventually stick. So, tomorrow (hopefully), I can make the trip to the Metro by T-Mobile store and try to get it fixed. I say hopefully because my ultra-conservative sisters don't want me to go "because it's too hot." I know it'll be hot, but I don't think it's anything I can't handle; I went to boot camp this very time thirty years ago (in fact the anniversary was Wednesday), just as long as I stay hydrated, I don't think the two-mile walk will be that big of a deal. If my sisters don't like it, too damned bad. I don't necessarily NEED it, but I can tip my favorite bartender money with it, and as you can tell, she's DEFINITELY worth it.

No, she's not my girlfriend, but I WISH she was. Dammit...

Until next time:

CT

Random Wednesday Thoughts...

 Good morning, everyone. Just thought I'd post some random thoughts of mine this morning.

Training camp begins today for the Buccaneers, and I'm calling my shot now. WE ARE WINNING THE SUPER BOWL IN ARIZONA NEXT FEBRUARY!!

Here's an idea for whoever is the sole winner of the $1.02 BILLION MegaMillions jackpot, already has deep pockets and is from around here: finance a good chunk the of the Rays' new ballpark that Stu Sternberg has been wishy-washy about. Otherwise, I have a feeling they'll be in the Carolinas come the end of this decade.

Speaking of the Rays, I had a sinking feeling that when they went to their bullpen with a 3-2 lead, that Baltimore would come back. Sure enough, they did.

Was greeted this morning with a very nice picture, and now I have the sudden urge to bring out my inner artist. 

Judging from the hits on this blog the past week, some of you sure love a train wreck. My meltdown garnered more hits than any other post so far this year. Bad news though, don't count on that being the norm. I kinda don't like to blow up like that, as it represents a past version of me that I don't want to see again. NOT the best version of me I spoke about the other day.

The other day I saw a rather disturbing commercial on TV. No, it wasn't the Vincent Van Gogh-looking guy pitching Spectrum mobile, but it was a bunch of females sitting on the john talking about pooping. I think it was for an IBS medication or something (I didn't pay attention to the whole ad).

Saw NXT 2.0 for an extended period of time last night. I have to say, some of the storylines in that promotion are hokey. Can't wait to see "Dynamite" tonight, hopefully they can recover from last week's brutal barbed wire everywhere match involving Eddie Kingston and Chris Jericho.

Dammit Aaron Rodgers. I saw his picture from Packers camp yesterday and I've had the band Creed on my brain ever since...

...and yes, I saw the movie Con-Air. But to me, this looks like Creed front man Scott Stapp.

Next door neighbors have been installing a new roof on their place this week, hoping they get finished by tomorrow. Meanwhile, their tree that blew over in our yard (and just missed us) has not been taken care of...yet. I guess they're waiting on the roof to be done first.

Something on Facebook I saw from WESH-TV meteorologist Tony Mainfoli I decided to take to heart:

and who doesn't love a great comeback story?

Well, time to figure out how to devise my plan of attack on my painting. Not only will I have sunflowers on my mind, but an attractive red-head as well 💓

Enjoy your day!

CT

Little Miss...HUH?

 Hello again. Over the course of the past week across social media, there has been a passing trend that has caught fire like dry brush in Yosemite. It's the little miss/little mister fad. When the trend took off late last week, I was curious as to where they came from, and lo and behold, they're inspired from the "Liitle Miss" children's book series. I think I may have heard of it before vaguely, but I certainly didn't grow up with it, for obvious reasons.

Since it has become so popular so quick, I thought I would attempt to make my own Little Miss/Little Mister characters:

Little Mister Steal Yo' Girl

Little Mister Timid Boy (who probably looks like Andy Samberg)

Little Miss Daddy/Little Mister Mommy Issues

Little Miss/Mister Lush (I used to know a woman like that)

Little Miss Cougar (watch out boys!)

Little Miss Golddigger.

Little Mister Narcissist, wait that one actually does exist, and we don't want to see him again.

And one that should definitely be included, Little Miss Can't Be Wrong.

Why hadn't anyone to my knowledge come up with that one? Oh well...

Until next time,

CT

Fade To Black

 Good morning, everyone. Despite the somewhat dark nature of the title of this entry, it isn't. Rather a somewhat interesting trend that has cropped up among NFL teams as training camps start up this week; the color of the helmets. 

As many of you have follow football probably already are aware of, the National Football League starting this year is ditching the silly, draconian one shell rule for their helmets. Put in place due to concerns about player safety and CTE (and screwing Bucs fans out of seeing them in action for the 2013 season against Arizona, a game I attended). This means that several of the league's 32 teams will have the option of utilizing a throwback design, or a new design. Now the NFL won't go overboard with them like college teams do, but just the sight of seeing different helmets in the NFL is a refreshing change fans have waited for a long time though. Unfortunately for Bucs fans, they have to wait another year, citing "SuPpLy ChAiN iSsUeS." Yeah, right.

But for 13 other teams, they are implementing this new policy, but the main alternate helmet being utilized is a black helmet. Six of the said thirteen teams will sport a black alternate helmet: Arizona, Philadelphia, Washington, NY Jets, New Orleans, and Carolina. Add that to Atlanta, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh who already have black helmets, and you have over a quarter of the league. Quite honestly, I'm surprised that Las Vegas didn't have their own black helmet, but then again, maybe they had "supply chain issues." I tend to think it's the Raiders not wishing to jerk with tradition. 

The other teams to sport an alternate helmet are Chicago (orange, which will make them look like the University of Illinois), Houston (battle red), and Cincinnati, who are paying tribute to Seigfried and Roy by wearing a white helmet with their tiger stripes. The throwbacks are the 1960s Dallas Cowboys, the pre-Drew Bledsoe New England Patriots (and Pat Patriot), the 1967 Atlanta Falcons (with a red helmet and a gold stripe), and the classic NY Giants helmets from the 1980s. 

You know, this talk of the number of black helmets got me thinking...why doesn't Taco Bell bring back their blackjack taco that was wildly popular 13 years ago.

More to come,

CT

A Promising Nightcap On A Lousy Weekend

 Hello once again. A few months ago, professional wrestler CM Punk got on a microphone and pondered in part, "I splash some water over my face and ask myself, 'am I the bad guy?'" Today on Facebook, I pondered the same question. It had to be the events over the past week that led me to ask that question, but two good friends had the same response, "no."

I'm making myself out to be my own worst enemy with that kind of talk, and I have become that way over the numerous heartbreaks I've had, a somewhat toxic family environment growing up, and the perceived lack of respect from my peers, from my last couple of years of high school, through my time in the Navy, all the way up until now. 

This afternoon, I got a text message from an old dear childhood friend that I still keep in contact with, and she has gone through much of the same stuff that I've had

Yes, I cropped the photo to hide her number. But it showed me right there that someone does care. nd that meant the world to me. Then I got a comment on the above post from another friend of mine from high school in North Carolina:

For a fleeting moment, the Chris Tyner of old suddenly came to life, full of vim and vigor and ready to challenge the world. The best version of me which also appeared when I attended broadcasting school in 2010.

Then I got to thinking, two things: don't give up, and never say never. I don't really have time to get into it now, but I have made some coinage the last couple of weeks. Also, I used to be really adept at creative writing. Thus, I should work on this blog more often. Like we said in the Navy, "damn the torpedoes full speed ahead." But I also lamented some things. Such as missing my daughter's birth because I was too new at the Post Office to take any time off. Not having anyone to share my hopes, dreams, and even my secrets with. That's what probably hurts the most. Not bring able to do that.

The moral of this story is that despite the doom and gloom that was this weekend, I do have some hope. It may be a little, but sometimes a little is more than enough. 

Now if only I can get her to talk to me...

More to come later this week, and don't forget where you can find me on social media:

Bonyscribe on Twitter and Instagram and bonyscribe1 on TikTok.

CT

Let's Go Catfishin'!!

 The following took place on Sunday afternoon on my Instagram account. It started off as usual with a friend request, and her account looked like that of, well a thirst trap:

As you can see, I have already blocked the account. The reason why is coming soon enough. But she didn't even answer the question I had posed her. Already the caution flag is out, but since I just had my heart broken, I thought I'd have a little fun...

This was after I had stated that California was on the other end of the continent. She asked me a question that would normally award her with an automatic block, but I decided to let it go and played along. As you can see later in the conversation, she sent me a picture that wasn't on her account previously, and the coffee cup in her hand looked somewhat legit (it was just after noon Pacific time), so I asked her if it was just taken. She then saw a picture I took of myself wearing my Bucs Super Bowl hat:

(not the actual picture/ but close enough for government work)

So, after she saw the picture, she complemented me on it, saying I look gorgeous. I don't think I look gorgeous, but thanks, I guess. She then asked the following:

Oh boy, she went THERE, didn't she? Well, at least I was truthful in my reply, but at this point she had a no balls, two strikes count working against her favor in the ninth inning:

SWIIIIING AND A MISS!! HEEE STRUCK HER OUT, AND THE RAYS WIN!!

Actually, the Rays are playing the Royals as I type this, but that's beside the point. It's another invasive catfish caught in the old fishing net to be dispatched to the nearest wastewater lake where "she" belongs. And what was up with the "hoo's?" What did it think it was, Mr. Poopy Butthole from "Rick & Morty?" The last sentence all but gave it away. Anybody with at least some semblance of English comprehension doesn't talk like that. 

So, definitely not what I wanted this terrible weekend, but it was quite humorous to say the least.

More to come.

CT

Flashback and Loose Ends...

 Hello, and yes, I'm still doing a slow burn over last night. Let's just say Mt. St. Bonyscribe isn't erupting like last night, but slowly spewing steam instead. Apparently though, last night's entry was too much for one particular individual from Michigan. So, ma'am, allow me to do some cleaning up to as to not get you "triggered," Yes, I said that I felt a bit h********, BUT DID YOU READ ON?! I clearly stated that I wasn't going to act out because it was ILLEGAL! Well, if it pleases you, madam, I crossed out the offending word. Oh, by the way, go Buckeyes. Geez Louise...

Maybe it was what went down in Tampa last night that had me extra feisty last night. Yes, the orange shit-stain made an appearance at the Turning Point USA conference in Tampa, and it was every bit as disgusting as you'd think it was. Not only was the ultimate shit-gibbon there, but also Rapey McForehead, Lauren Boebert (who stated she never was an escort to fellow POS Ted Cruz), and MTG (not the game, the politician). Maybe it was what happened at the Magic Kingdom yesterday up the road in O-Town that got me all extra excited for no reason. Maybe it was how damned hot it's been throughout the nation this weekend. On a side note, check out this tweet from earlier this week regarding the 100-degree temperatures in Britain. Definitely it was actually losing out on a good woman who could help me turn my life around instead suffering a similar heartbreak to 1988, 1992, 1996, 2001, 2007, 2015. You get the idea...but I feel slightly better this morning.

With that out if the way, I mentioned that I would post my flashback segment today, and today it happens to be a somewhat recent one; 2014. Controversial opinion on my part: pop music in the 2010s deteriorated badly after 2011. Yeah, there were bangers, but the overall quality from the 1980s and 90s was significantly down. That said, here were the top 40 songs according to Mediabase 24/7 for July 27, 2014. 

40. Birthday by Katy Perry
39. All About That Bass by Meghan Trainor
38. Amnesia by 5 Seconds of Summer
37. 2 On by Tinashe f/Schoolboy Q
36. Don't by Ed Sheerhan
35. We Are Done by the Madden Brothers
34. Girls Chase Boys by Ingrid Michaelson. Oh really? 
33. Na Na by Trey Songz
32. Cool Kids by Echosmith
31. Tennis Court by Lorde

30. This Is How We Roll by Florida Georgia Line f/Jason Derulo
29. Me And My Broken Heart by Rixton. Definitely can relate.
28. I'm Ready by AJR
27. Hideaway by Kiezsa
26. I Will Never Let You Down by Rita Ora. Yeah, right. 
25. Wiggle by Jason Derulo f/Snoop Dogg. You just whistled, didn't you?
24. Ten Feet Tall by Afrojack f/Wrabel
23. Wasted by Tiesto f/Matthew Koma
22. Bailando by Enrique Iglesias f/Sean Paul
21. Come With Me Now by Kongos

20. Black Widow by Iggy Azalea f/Rita Ora
19. Shower by Becky G.
18. All Of Me by John Legend. excuse me while I hurl...BLLLLLUUUUAAAGGGGGGHHH!!
17. Ain't It Fun by Paramore. Yeah, ain't it fun typing this blog with a broken heart...NOT!
16. Classic by MKTO
15. Rather Be by Clean Bandit f/Jess Glynne
14. Chandelier by Sia. IIIIIIII WANNA SWIIIIIIIING..
13. Break Free by Ariana Grande f/Iggy Azalea
12. Come Get It Bae by Pharrel Williams
11. Really Don't Care by Demi Lovato f/Cher Lloyd. Part of my problem might be that I really DO care.

10. Love Runs Out by OneRepublic
  9. Boom Clap by Charli XCX
  8. Maps by Maroon 5
  7. Fancy by Iggy Azalea f/Charli XCX
  6. Summer by Calvin Harris
  5. Latch by Disclosure f/Sam Smith
  4. Problem by Ariana Grande f/Iggy Azalea. Yeah, you could say I have a BIG problem right now.
  3. Stay With Me by Sam Smith
  2. Am I Wrong by Nico and Vinz. Well? Am I???

and the most overplayed popular song this week eight years ago was:

  1. Rude by Magic! HELL YES IT'S RUDE TO HAVE WHAT HAPPENED TO ME LAST WEEKEND!!!

So, as you can tell, I'm nowhere near back to normal, and like I told my one-time love interest, it may take a while, but at least I'm not going through a Fukushima-like meltdown like I was having last night. That counts for something, right? 

Oh, while I'm here, please help out my former schoolmate and roommate Denise out by checking out and subscribing to her YouTube channel.

Thank you. more to come...

CT

I'm Back...And I'm Mad As Hell

 Greetings everyone, except for those two assholes Jeff and Mike and ESPECIALLY that chickenshit Josh Hawley. After an absolutely MISERABLE week where my mental and emotional health were put into spin cycle and hung out to dry, I have returned. Yes, I said I was all but giving up, but a couple of conversations with people who actually give a shit about me (unlike most people in Tampa Bay or on social media), I decided to come back, full of battery acid (as Jim Rome would say when he would go on vacation).

First off, let me apologize for not being rich/wealthy or not being from the northeastern United States, which apparently you have to be either to land yourself a woman in the Tampa Bay area. I was born in Atlanta and raised in Orlando and Podunkville, NC. Don't like it? Too goddamned bad. And sorry I currently have aa job because of my disability since having a stroke five years ago, and not having something to get around with, something that COULD be alleviated but I think my sister (who's in charge of my finances) just won't do so. So, this blog and social media is the ONLY way I can put my TRUE self out there. I'm unfortunately playing with the deck stacked against me, but I guess them's the breaks.

Let me say something to say something to some of you that may be uncomfortable, but tough shit. I tried to reach out to SOME of you, because I'll be honest, I was on the verge of being suicidal and/or homicidal this week, but did you reply? For the most part, no. "But Bony, you could have called that new 988 number!" Uh, one, if I had called them the police would have showed up to where I live in Spring Hill, and that would mean I'd be placed under Baker Act custody. I experienced that in 2015, never again. Although I'm not suicidal now, I'm damned sure homicidal, but again, I can't act out on the rage I've built up (over three DECADES mind you because, 1) Again, I don't want the po-po involved and 2) it's illegal as fuck. But I WOULD like an explanation as to why the day after I give someone a heartfelt gift, I would get my heart broken. At least give me that instead of getting my hopes up only to squish them like a bug. Maybe if you know my history, you'd know how I would feel. Maybe I should be grateful for watching old wrestling clips on Peacock, and this blog, for releasing all this frustration. Of course, an apology is in order. I feel that I'm owed at least that, too, but I'm shaking with anger right now.

Now that that's out of the way, as I alluded to just a second ago, I was thankful for watching wrestling over the past week or so. And my oh my, was yesterday an interesting day in that realm. First, you had Paul Levesque (Triple H) returning to his role as EVP of talent relations. Then, out of the blue clear sky, Vince McMahon called it a career. The timing of this with him being under investigation of sexual misconduct (which seems eerily similar to one of numerous storylines he had in the early 2000s) seems rather suspect. I don't know what direction the company is out of his hands, some talent aren't taking this very well, and even Brock Lesnar reportedly walked out upon hearing the news. He would return to the show at the end of the night. But for Vince, I'll never forget him providing the single most hilarious moment in WWE history. Thank you, Vince.

I would have my flashback segment for right here, but I'm still a bit angry, so I'll hold off until tomorrow or next week. Until next time.

CT

I'm Done...

 Greetings everyone. Except for a guy named Jeff and a guy named Mike, and ESPECIALLY my sisters. This weekend started out so promising yet unfortunately ended in frustration, and another heartache; the second such crushing blow in four months. I took the bus down to New Port Richey to see the woman who I thought was my love interest. It started off swell, I gave her a pretty necklace that had sparkly heats that folded up into a four-leaf clover. I told her it was supposed to give that person good luck...more on that in a jiffy. I didn't say too much because 1) she was busy and 2) I wasn't the only person in the bar, not by a long shot. 

My kiss of death: the necklace

Anyway, about two hours into what was going to be a three, maybe four-hour visit, I get a text from guess who? One of my sisters. She told me to get home because storms were building, and she doesn't like driving in the rain. Her timing couldn't have been any worse, which seems to be a common theme with my family. The bus running westbound on FL-54 arrived just as she texted me, but I thought it was yet to arrive. Stupid me. So, I hoofed it one mile from the establishment where my L.I works all the way to US 19. When I finally got home at around 5:30, (while it was sunny, no less) not much was said at first other than the fact that I was okay. The bus trip back to Hernando County was memorable again, for all the wrong reasons. One of which was some Boomer Karen deciding to yell at a couple who was obviously in love but not making out or harming anyone to be quiet. Fuck that prude, and too bad she didn't get on the Purple bus to Hernando Co. after the stop at Embassy Av, because I definitely would have given her a piece of my mind. 

Anyway, that was Saturday. Sunday was a totally different story. First, I got yelled at by eldest sister because she found out the place where my LI worked wasn't a restaurant, but an adult establishment. I bring this up because I had to use a cover story that she worked at a "restaurant" (she's a bartender), because had I told her the truth outright, she would have shot it down on the spot. Then she starts in on me, first prohibiting me from seeing her again, then saying that I'm "worse than (my late brother)" and that I have always had poor taste in women. At that point I told her to shut up, before I could go any further, she says to me that I needed to shut up and to get out. Good! If I had a place to go to I would, but I don't. Then she complains that she is responsible for me (translation: in her control) and she's tired of her health declining worrying about me. Then she complains that she never had a life of her own. OH REALLY?? NOW WHOSE FUCKING FAULT IS THAT?! The old me would have erupted into a fit of rage like Mt. St. Helen's, but now I just calmly walked into my room and went back to sleep. 

Later that evening, remember the necklace bringing good luck? Well, it did alright. She's now involved with someone else much to my dismay. I almost was brought totears not because of that but the cumulation of heartaches, disappointments, and heartbreaks I've had for over thirty years now. 

I wonder to myself, what am I doing wrong? Am I not gregarious enough? Am I hardly ever seen in public thanks to my stroke and now COVID? Then I look at other factors. Am I not interesting enough for any of you? I mean I do look at my website hits, and they're barely registering. Is it the fact that I was conceived while the two sisters I live with were playing with a Ouija Board? Is it the fact that I lost my mom at a very young age (7) and I've suffered with depression since? Whatever it is, I'm not doing a good enough job of getting you folks to care. I know that some do, and I appreciate it. But there aren't enough of you, and since February, my hits have been on the decline.

So, for now at least, I'm done writing in this blog. Nobody seems to care or give a hoot about me or my thoughts, so why should I care about writing? As a 48-year old who's been perpetually heartbroken, I honestly don't know how much more I can take. My last date was six years ago, and I don't know if I'll ever have the opportunity to go on one again; every woman I seem to be interested in my sister dislikes (probably because she can't control them). Whether I return to this blog, I don't really know. Whether I make it past the next three years I don't know either. My wonderful daughter is estranged from me, and I don't know if she'll ever speak to me again. And before you offer your prayers, don't. I stopped believing about ten years ago, and it was further emboldened when T****stole the presidency (that's another thing, is my political stance a turnoff?).  I'll still be around on twitter...for now.

Until next time, whenever that may be:

(Image: Christina Carlson)

CT

Flashback Friday; July 7, 1984

 Hello again everyone. It's been another messed up week around here, more on that in a later entry. For right now, I wanted to solely focus on Flashback Friday. I went over the blog entries I've had earlier this year. In particular, the ones where I did a retro countdown on either Thursday or Friday. I noticed which years I featured and was surprised that I had not done one yet on 1984; quite arguably the best year (in my lifetime at least) in popular music history. So, with that said, here were the Top 40 songs according to Billboard Magazine for the week ending July 7, 1984.

40. Boys Do Fall In Love by Robin Gibb. Yes, we do. But damn is it hard.

39. Prime Time by Alan Parsons Project. I seem to remember another APP song that got heavy airplay on MTV, it wasn't this one, and frankly I don't remember if Q98 (the pop station in Fayetteville, NC back then) played it or not.

38. Farewell My Summer Love by Michael Jackson. Now this song I do remember hearing on said station, but it got NOWHERE near the hype any of the songs from Thriller got.

37. Alibis by Sergio Mendes. Nope, don't remember this one.

36. She's Mine by Steve Perry. Follow up to "Oh, Sherrie." Don't really remember this one either.

35. It's A Miracle by Culture Club

34. Romancing The Stone by Eddy Grant. Loved this song. It came from the motion picture of the same name, too bad it isn't available on Spotify...

33. Stuck On You by Lionel Richie. As I remember, I wasn't a big fan of Lionel going country-ish with this song and "Penny Lover."

32. If You're Ever In My Arms Again by Peabo Bryson

31. Panama by Van Halen. This would unfortunately be the last Top 40 hit for Van Halen with David Lee Roth as lead singer; he would launch a solo career the next year.

30. Sunglasses At Night by Corey Hart. Remember "Star Search?" Not the reboot with Arsenio Hall but the original version with th late Ed McMahon? They had a TV spokesmodel category for one of their segments, and I swear every song that accompanies a particular model's photo package was set to either Dan Hartman's "I Can Dream About You" or this song.

29. Sister Christian by Night Ranger. Motoring...what's your price for flight?

28. I'm Free (Heaven Helps The Man) by Kenny Loggins. From "Footloose," it harkens back to a time when this country was more religious, and people were gullible enough to trust televangelists. Nowadays, some are still religious, but those folks are gullible enough to watch Fox News.

27. What's Love Got To Do With It by Tina Turner. The song that launched her comeback.

26. Don't Walk Away by Rick Springfield

25. No Way Out by Jefferson Starship. Don't recall this song on the radio either. Their next album, they would drop "Jefferson" from the band's name.

24. I Can Dream About You by Dan Hartman. See #30.

23. Stay The Night by Chicago

22. Modern Day Delilah by Van Stephenson. I believe this is the only Top 40 song in the rock era that has a hairstylist as the song's subject matter.

21. State Of Shock by The Jacksons. Not credited on this chart but Mick Jagger sang vocals on this song. Nowadays, everyone and their cousin gets credit for singing on a track. 

20. Breakin'...there's No Stopping Us by Ollie and Jerry. I never got into the breakdancing fad back in the mid 80's.

19. Ghostbusters by Ray Parker, Jr. Who are you gonna call???

18. Oh, Sherrie by Steve Perry. I alluded to this song earlier, his first solo effort. Thankfully the Sherrie isn't spelled with a "Y." I had a sister-in-law that had that name, and you know, I'd rather not talk about her.

17. Sad Songs Say So Much by Elton John. Still a pleasure to listen to this decade as it was almost 40 years ago...

16. Dance Hall Days by Wang Chung. Take your baby by the wrist, and in her mouth an amethyst.

15. Borderline by Madonna. I didn't have a crush on her just yet, that would come in the next few years. 

14. Infatuation by Rod Stewart. I can still visualize the model dancing in the bikini in that video. Today, the subject matter of the video is considered cringeworthy though.

13. Doctor! Doctor! by Thompson Twins

12. Magic by The Cars. Another song with a memorable video. I wonder who the twins in it were...I want to think they're someone I would wind up knowing.

11. Let's Hear It For The Boy by Deniece Williams. The ending of this song to me kinda sounded like something that would play on one of those cheesy game shows back then...

10. Legs by ZZ Top. Didn't realize that it charted that high. 

  9. The Heart Of Rock & Roll by Huey Lewis & The News. Too bad when they're giving shoutouts to all those cities, there isn't a mention of any Florida cities. I don't know if they did a localized version for Orlando/Miami/Tampa like they did for Charlotte/Raleigh in North Carolina that G 105 in RDU would play...

  8. Almost Paradise by Mike Reno and Ann Wilson. Love theme from "Footloose."

  7. Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper. Follow up to "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun." The video also featured the late Captain Lou Albano.

  6. Eyes Without A Face by Billy Idol. Another ballad that has withstood the test of time.

  5. The Reflex by Duran Duran. There were two versions of this song, the video version and the version that played on the radio. I liked the radio version better, but the video was still bad-ass.

  4. Self Control by Laura Branigan. I'm not linking this music video, because in my opinion she was practically raped in it. I don't think a video like the one for this song would be anywhere near acceptable today.

  3. Jump (For My Love) by The Pointer Sisters. I want to say that this song was featured during the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, but I don't remember.

  2. Dancing In The Dark by Bruce Springsteen. The song with the video that launched Courtney Cox's career.

 ...and the number one song on this date 38 years ago...

  1. When Doves Cry by Prince. An iconic song by an iconic artist from an iconic (at the time) movie. What more could you ask for?

  

Well, that's all for this early morning. I may be back later today with a summation of another less-than-stellar week overall. Until then...

CT

Go Home College Football, You're Drunk, Plus Other Rants

 Good evening once again, hope your holiday weekend is off to a good start. Can't say that the weekend is off to a rip-roaring start in Bony Scribe world. Remember yesterday evening when I said I was going to take the bus? Well, that didn't happen--Mother Nature decided to do what she does best in Central Florida this time of year, she trolled the hell out of us. A constant threat of storms all day today, and since I would have to walk about two miles to get from my house to the nearest bus stop (which would take me about an hour and a half in my condition and my age), I figured it wouldn't be worth the trouble. Dammit. I was really hoping to see the woman I'm interested in currently. Those hopes would be dashed anyway with what happened later in the day. A sudden family emergency arose, and it pretty much lasted the afternoon, along with the rumble of thunder (but no rain). Good news is that the emergency situation was solved in a couple of hours, and my blog entry is now being typed after planning on doing for earlier this afternoon. I just hope the rain hits sometime tonight so that I won't get bombarded by #FloridaMan shooting off fireworks for the sake of shooting fireworks. Man, I miss North Carolina sometimes...

The first thing I wanted to rant about tonight is news that broke Friday in the world of college football. UCLA and USC are leaving the Pac-12 Conference...for the Big Ten. Yes, you read that correctly. The two major colleges in Los Angeles are joining a conference where the nearest member institution, the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, is 1,250 miles away. This comes after the Big Ten just a few short years ago, added Maryland and Rutgers, not only grabbing a foothold on the east coast, but also grabbing the nation's largest media market. Now, not only can the Big Ten lay claim to being a truly bi-coastal conference, but they now have the THREE largest media markets, Chicago, New York, and now Los Angeles.

But realistically, does this make sense to anyone? Anyone who has followed college athletics for a long period of time knows that the Big Ten conference is a Midwest-based league, and their core members are in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and the Upper Midwestern states. Heck, a few years ago, I blogged about what I thought the "Power Five" (reformed to "Power Six") in college football should look like. Now, with Texas and Oklahoma joining the SEC next year; UCF, BYU, Cincinnati, and Houston joining the Big 12; and now the UCLA and USC news this week, the "Power Five" may be just now the "Power Four." I guess it would make sense as far as determining a national champion in football; the four conference winners would make up the playoff. But when it comes down to it, college football has become drunk with money grabbing. Like Courtney Kramer pointed out on Twitter this week, maybe the NCAA should dissolve the conference and start fresh.

Speaking of traditions being abandoned, NASCAR has for a couple of years now decided to hold their Independence Day race somewhere other than Daytona, and to me that is just wrong. Since 1959, when Daytona International Speedway opened its doors, there had always been a 400-mile race held over Independence Day weekend. But in 2020, the year almost everything started going sideways, NASCAR decided to move the second Daytona race to the end of August, and the end of their "regular season." Indianapolis's race, the Brickyard 400, took Daytona's spot until this year, when it was moved again, this time to Road America in Wisconsin. I'm sorry, but mother than Dave Marcis and the late Dick Trickle, I have trouble associating NASCAR with Wisconsin. I thought Wisconsin was near the heart of cart and open-wheel racing. Damn corporations ruining everything in the name of television. Like Grace Slick once sang, "someone's always playing corporation games," and I don't like this particular path NASCAR is going down.

Speaking of racing, did anyone catch qualifying for the British GP earlier today? Carlos Sainz won the pole position for tomorrow's race at Silverstone, and in what has to be the equivalent of me scoring a prom date with the homecoming queen, back marker Nicolas Latifi of Williams Racing actually made it to Q3. But those events didn't catch my attention; what did was an advertising board there for Paramount+, the streaming service for CBS Entertainment. Among the slides shown were for SpongeBob SquarePants and South Park. Think about it, the world's best drivers being greeted by Sqwidward Tenticles in the pit area awaiting them to order a Krabby Patty with extra cheese. Will Mrs. Puff blow up like a balloon if any of the cars slide off track, or worse yet, crash? Is Mr. Krabbs driving the pace car? And what about the South Park gang? Is Stan Marsh doing the grid walk? Will Eric Cartman provide pit analysis by Weight Gain 3000? And will Kenny McCormack get killed when...you know, I better stop while I'm already behind. Just an odd juxtaposition if you ask me.

Well, I had more to write, but the dolts in the West Linden subdivision are reenacting the battle of Bunker Hill with all the fireworks going off, much to me and my sisters' dismay. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and remember to be safe.

CT

What A Week...(Flashback Friday)

Good evening, everyone. Except you, Stan Kroenke. To quote the band Hot Chelle Rae, it's been a really, really messed up week. First, we had my favorite hockey team coming up short in the Stanley Cup Final. Then America's biggest bimbo somehow managed to win her primary in Colorado. Then we had the Supreme Court made another unpopular decision, the same day that the Court sworn in its first black female in its history. Then my sister started in again on me visiting my possible future love interest tomorrow. She says that since it's Independence Day weekend, it wouldn't be a good time to visit. Who the frig asked you, sis? Maybe I should secretly change her ringtone on her mobile device to Rage Against the Machine's "Killing In The Name." Or I could tell her this. At least the long holiday weekend is here, even if some folks don't feel like celebrating (and I don't really blame them).

Speaking of tomorrow, I will have to take the bus tomorrow. I believe I've spoken about our rather inefficient regional transit system on one at least one occasion on here. At least the system here in Hernando County is somewhat useful, if not frequent; at least I can get to my destination without problem. Pasco County on the other hand is a different animal. Back in January, they shifted some of their bus schedules and routes, and Google Maps hasn't updated it yet. A look on there will show that the 21 route still goes by the VA Clinic; it doesn't anymore 

Google, I have a suggestion. Actually, Morty Smith has a suggestion for you:

Anyway, the other week riding on the route that follows US 19 was an other-worldly experience.

You had one guy wanting me to sit next to him (no, dude), and this guy was, well, weird. He was likke my cousin Randy, but not at all pious. He was trying to make friends with anyone and everyone on the 19 Route, trying to bribe their friendship with wads of dollar bills and cigarettes. I didn't know if I was on the Pasco County bus system, Brass Flamingo, or the Pasco County Detention Center. Then, one of his "buddies" was getting hella annoying; on not one, not two, not three, but FOUR consecutive bus stops, he would ring the bell to ask the bus to stop but didn't disembark. He finally departed at what used to be Gulf View Square Mall, but he inexplicably left his phone with the bus driver. Then I had to wait FORTY-FIVE minutes between the end of the 19 Route, and the next bus (21) which connects to Hernando County. Talk about a rigamarole...

Enough about that BS though, it's Friday so why don't we flashback to the year 2008. Here were the top 40 songs in America this week according to Mediabase 24/7:

40. Bottle It Up by Sara Bareillis

39. One Step At A Time by Jordin Sparks

38. That's What You Get by Paramore

37. Closer by Ne-Yo

36. If I Never See Your Face Again by Maroon 5 f/ Rihanna

35. Time Of My Life by David Cook

34. Burnin' Up by Jonas Brothers

33. Thunder by Boys Like Girls

32. American Boy by Estelle f/ Kanye West

31. Fall For You by Secondhand Serenade

30. She Got It by Two Pistols f/ T-Pain

29. Viva La Vida by Coldplay

28. Touch My Body by Mariah Carey

27. Disturbia by Rihanna

26. Bye Bye by Mariah Carey

25. Dangerous by Kardinal Offishall f/ Akon

24. When I Grow Up by Pussycat Dolls

23. 4 Minutes by Madonna, Justin Timberlake, and Timbaland

22. Mercy by Duffy

21. All Summer Long by Kid  CRock

20. 7 Things by Miley Cyrus

19. Summertime by New Kids On The Block

18. Bust It Baby (Part II) by Plies f/ Ne-Yo

17. All Around Me by Flyleaf

16. In Love With A Girl by Gavin DeGraw

15. No Air by Jordin Sparks f/ Chris Brown

14. It's Not My Time by 3 Doors Down

13. What You Got by Colby O'Donis f/ Akon

12. Realize by Colbie Callait

11. Shake It by Metro Station

10. Love In This Club by Usher f/ Young Jeezy

  9. Forever by Chris Brown

  8. Lollipop by Lil' Wayne f/ Static Major

  7. Damaged by Danity Kane

  6. Sexy Can I by Ray-J f/ Yung Berg

  5. Pocketful Of Sunshine by Natasha Beddingfield

  4. I Kissed A Girl by Katy Perry.

...excuse me while I swoon...

...thank you.

  3. Leavin' by Jessie McCartney

  2. Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis

  

...and the number 1 song this week fourteen years ago was...

  1. Take A Bow by Rihanna

There were some bangers on this list. Overall, a pretty quality countdown, and hopefully, most of these songs will last the test of time...

Well, should I take the trip on the bus tomorrow, I'll update you on how it goes. Anyway, have a good and safe Independence Day weekend!

Until next time

CT