The Great Wake 22: Ignite The Breath

The acquisition is first.  Then comes the demolition, which includes the clearing of debris.  Next is the cleaning and disinfecting, the scrubbing and scraping.  Dig out all the dirt and grime, from the corners, from the creases.  That's how the stink is fixed.

Now that we have fresh air, the renovation can begin.  Start with a skeleton, bare to the bones.  Shake, rattle, and roll.  Smooth the edges, repair the ligaments and disks.  Stuff in the organs, glands, and various veins, removing all obstructions.

Wrap it with ripped muscles, pull them tight to the bones with tendons.  Cover it all with thick skin, the most durable type kind of skin.  Tune the six senses to a fine tune, balanced and common.  Load the brain with knowledge, flip the heart pump, ignite the breath.  Wake, speak freely.
  

The Great Wake 21: Scribble That Reality

 

"Mr. Nick, Mr Nick, tell us about that song you wrote," the reporters were relentless.  "Nothing new, really, just a plead for pragmatism, just a frame of clarity, just a folk tune.  Three chords and a mock, rolling in the rock, watch the shooting clock, here's one for the drop.  Do it, just like that.  Dribble that melody, scribble that reality."

"Call me Peace, please.  Mr. Nick is my father's name.  He's got more scars than me, but I got some.  In the end, war has blinded, war has ruined, war has done no good.  The diplomats of the world have mostly failed, got plucked and greased.  On with the future, cut the anchors, leave then at the bottom of the ocean, let them rust to nothing."

"What are you implying?"  Most reporters are dumb, missing the opportunity to understand for themselves, missing out on the thinking, wasting brains.  Dull.  "About the grease or the pluck?"  The press room went silent, glazed eyes were everywhere.

The Great Wake 20: Asia Major

Kittens and puppies stuffed in bags to suffocate, these are the unholy for sure.  Without soul, these humans, without soul.  Asia Major has a major problem, their days are numbered, like everyone elses.  The hazmat suits, the smog blocking face masks, the humorless smirking.  That charming Chinese culture.

Like the Hero Of Kiev, his country wrecked, blood on his hands.  Like the Old Man In Moscow, still sucking that Stalin tit.  Like the Ole Skinny Dipper, nothing but a pervert.  Like The Natoists, always gearing up for more greasy war.  Like the Techno Nerds, trying in vain to be cool.

The twist is still to come, this plot gets thicker.  Grubby finds the money, and we can print and print for now, shrink and shrink, oh sweet Venezuela.  They are stealing it now, high inflation is an unarmed robbery.  Next is unrealized gains and a 401k tax, or some other heist-like maneuver in the tax code.  Good bye blue skies, good bye.

Red Mud Gonzo: Twenty Two

 

"Like The Joker" by King James

I'm now gonna be pulling for the Sabanov doubles team going forward.  Never heard of them before this trip.  And, they are Serbian like the Joker.  Greatness!  You couldn't pay me to watch that singles final.  Ugly tennis, but congrats, Opelka.



"Ivan And Matej Sabanov" by AJ

These crosses were gifts from a Serbian player I coached back in California.  If these had been in my bag, I would have given them to Ivan and Matej Sabanov. Great guys, God bless 'em.  So pure.  So skilled.  Big future.  Idemo!

"Grooving The C Spot" by jpg

Missed it, was busy losing 4-6, 1-6 to some Brookhaven 4.0 aces.  Played decent, only one double fault, but they broke my serve into shattered shards.  Net wizards, lobbed us.  Team won 3-2.  Undefeated so far.  Moving my shorts, not my shirt.  Grooving the C spot...the wins will come.



"Texas Chain Serve Massacre" by jpg

At least Opelka has murder within him, a killer must kill, and does kill.  Along with his Dallas Open win, he completes the first ever Texas Chain Serve Massacre.  It's never been done, the double homicide.  I was going for Isner, but I'm glad the kid won it.  More to come, Opelka goes for blood.

"Review of 1118 Peveto Street" by jpg

Location is important in Houston and this spot was ideal for a 3 day visit to the US Clay Court Championships at River Oaks. Close to Kirby Drive.  Super nice accomodations.  Clean, comfortable, and cool.  Backyard patio very comfortable. Appreciated the guitars, played the one in the middle for a few tunes, including the live debut of Margin Squeeze.  Fine A/C.  Hosts were great, laid back, friendly, and helpful.  Close to Whole Foods and Brenner's On The Bayou.  Straight shot to Irma's.

Donkey Day

 

Nice this morning, spring is here.
Starting today gonna have no fear.
King is coming, He's on his way.
Lay down your palms for donkey day.

Like it said in the prophesy.
Gonna be saved by the Prince Of Peace.
Gonna ride in and make them pay.
Lay down your palms for donkey day.

Crowd didn't know what would go down.
Figured Jesus would take the crown.
But later that week He was betrayed.
Lay down your palms for donkey day.

Had to be done, had to bleed in the sun.
Up on a cross on a hill he hung.
His final breath means we was saved.
Lay down you palms for donkey day.

CFC/GFCx2

Red Mud Gonzo: Twenty One

 

"Prince Of A Guy" by AJ

Absolutely a prince of a guy. Very serious.... serious about going to a movie in an actual theatre right now to prep for his next match. Then he will go back to Canberra and hibernate until the grass court season.  Nick moves in mysterious waze.  Same specs, leather and overgrip as my sticks. 

"Not A Bad Life" by King The Todd

Cool. He seems like a good guy when he's not in a match.  Kind of strange that he's opting out of the clay court season too. It will be funny if he wins this clay court tourney then skips the rest.  Not a bad life.

"Double Edged Swordsman"  by jpg

Punked his way out of a doubles win against the Sabanov Brothers, such a double edged swordsman.  Nick plays with fury when on, plays with extreme apathy when off.  His partner, Jack Sock, played awful, just awful.  From my courtside seat I observed.  Kirgios chattered constantly, his eyes darted, his ears heard everything.  Fucks wern't given, then fucks were given, then fucks were spoken, then fucks were yelled.  He's in a good spot, River Oaks will feed his soul.  Hope he wins the singles, but Garin is nails.

"Crazy Man" by King James

Tiafoe forehand... crazy man...

"Yoko Shrieking In The Background" by Amos

Steve Vai, his role with the Czech Republic declaring independence (until his opinions got him in in hot water), Tina Turner and the Ikettes as background singers on Over-Nite Sensation, jamming live with John Lennon (and fing Yoko shrieking in the background), the Turtles singers (named as Flo and Eddie due to lawsuits), etc, etc, and the music!  Indescribable....

Red Mud Gonzo: Twenty

 

"Butter Cups" by TTop.

Add the pad right to the shorts or pants.  Seat cushions and butt enhancers.  Call them Butter Cups.  I don't know about you, but these seats are hard, tough to sit through a whole match, and people don't want to carry a bulky seat cusion.

"Potato Buns" by jpg

The hat flew off in a burst of wind, Brad Gilbert had a panicked look.  His fedora was rolling towards me, and I bent down and grabbed it.  He was very grateful, but humorless in his response to TTop's Ebay joke.  This seemed a different BG than we had known, preoccupied and distant, you never really know what's going on with anybody, grace is the only way.  Glad he didn't have to run after it, glad he wasn't put in an embarrassing position, he maintained his dignity, he is among the River Oaks' esteemed.


The chicken must have been pounded out with a mallet, it was paper thin.  Marketed as spicy, a pile of jarred jalapeños were stacked on the sandwich.  Any use of potato buns is a shortsighted, cost saving giveup.  The fries were awful, the windows were dirty, no salt and pepper, the staff was closing up, just going through the motions.  FM Kitchen and Bar is rated 2 of 5 stars, the peoplesDuke would've been disappointed.  This was no Pizza Motus.

McEnroe bending  the space and time continuum, so early, so precise.  ABCD deconstruction of the hitting zones, with C dominating modern tennis strategies, test if they can get around it for a fully extended forehand.  Move the shorts, not the shirt.  Hit it way over the net, take the short ones to the A zone.  Tangible takeaways from AJ's Thursday morning electric court drill session, El Rey hit--4.5 of 5 stars.

"Smoked" by King The Todd

Smoked by a complete unknown.

"Zappa Playing Blues" by Amos

Found some gold in my research.   First 25 songs (disc 1) is from '69 tour with the mothers....playing cool R&B with Zappa playing blues guitar leads...is best stuff I've listened to.

Red Mud Gonzo: Nineteen

 

"Use The Pixels" by jpg

This is bullshit, no TV yet.  WTA all damn day!  Any cameras in Houston?  Gilbert?  Tennis Channel?  Get the red mud asetetic going, use the color of the season to capture viewers, use the pixels.  What a giveaway, two whole days of wasted opportunity.  Maybe test out some new announcer talent.  Like AJ.  Or Billy, think of that!  Cheap ass bean counters.



"Girls Tennis" by King James

Agreed. They showed girls tennis during a rain delay of girls tennis. I literally watched them dry off the lines on a clay court.

"Nail The Coffin" by jpg

Aww, man.  Nail the coffin, Garin!  Sock will wilt......Match point!......Breaks to win the 3 setter.



"Up Early" by AJ

Can't wait. I'm up early to get some work done and drive down this afternoon. Hoping to see you guys at the NK vs Tommy Paul match at about five pm at river oaks. Dinner after?

"Flex Otherwise" by TTop

I have a place I want to go one day for breakfast or brunch...I'm flex otherwise but El Rey should be on the list for consistency sake, great coffee and breakfast tacos!  Yes sir!!  Let's hit a good grub spot, PG I'm on time, leaving in about 10.

"Red Mud Mansion" by jpg

Gotta check into our Red Mud Mansion, then off into the Houston culinary night.

Red Mud Gonzo: Eighteen

"Alcaraz" by King James

Alcaraz gonna win the French.


"Heavy Metal Nooner" by jpg

Some sort of mental deficiency, perhaps too much warming up.  Broke down late to lose 0-6, 5-7, (1-10).  As others ascended, I descended.   Coach Bill, AJ?  Team won 3-2 over Canyon Creek, avenging a 2-3 loss from last fall.  Mutes the personal loss a bit, but only a bit.  Wanted to hit Houston with winner vibes, not the Bayou Blues.  Heavy Metal Nooner at 1140 on Tuesday, TTop.  Think Motorhead is up, that should get my groove back for the Red Mud.


"Red Mud Cleansing" by AJ

Tough loss, amigo. Red mud cleansing this week.


"Motorhead For Sure" by TTop

Check out the draw! Looks like Ruud, Opelka, Isner and Fritz are all set to play Weds so hopefully Kyrgios, Feli Lopez, Brooksby, and Tiafoe Thurs!  Man, that is a tough one... Motorhead for sure.


"Rogelio Pardo"  by peoplesDuke

Rogelio Pardo Los hermanos y las chicas bonitas y la gorda y la flaca.


"Inflation Is A Bitch" by CB

Inflation is a bitch and I'm not in a good state.  Did you hear about Azerenka storming off the court after a teenager was kicking her ass. Tennis is a mental game and the Belarusian succumbed to emotional strain. It's a sad and difficult world we live in today.

The Great Wake 19: Dig The Synthesizers

 

Remove your eyes and ears, keep your words to yourself, dole them out carefully.  Take your brain and trick it, convince it of good and bad, of right and wrong.  Walk into the wind, don't get swooped up, turn your back if you must, keep the sand away from your face.  Walk backwards so you can see the view, so you can see the crash from afar, from a high ridge.  Enjoy time.

Lawyers, needles, and money.  Here it comes, here it comes, like lions getting thrown swine in a courtroom cage.  The damage done.  That's some low class action suits, the waivers will be shredded, the money will be gone, shrunk and gone.  Like a lost sock, leaving the other sock behind.

Come back Jonee cries DEVO.  This is the second new wave, the wave before the third wave and after the electronic new wave, which came after the first new wave.  Music is best against the wind, shades for the eyes, voices for the words, reverb for the ears.  Tighten up your ego, have some self respect, be fierce for others.  Dig the synthesizers.