The College Crowd Digs Me

"The Martian" ...by Andy Weir (2014) 369 pages NO SPOILERS: I knew I would get around to reading this book eventually,  so I've avoided the movie and trailers as best I could.  (I love movies, but hey, I'm a book man. 'Whadyagonnado?') Anyway, about "The Martian."   Come to find out, maybe a Bunsen burner chemistry class or two...or three might pay off in spades.  Add a solid math background to help work the numbers out and a talent for “thinking outside the box" and you just might get back to Earth in time to watch the next season of "Game of Thrones."   Now let's be honest.  With all of the above in your wheelhouse and an unlimited supply of Ramen Noodle Soup, you'd still find yourself doing a whole lot of finger-crossing.  And we're right there with him the whole time.  Astronaut Mark Watney. When a mission goes unexpectedly bad for the Mars expedition team, Watney finds himself alone, mistakenly left behin

HERE'S AN IDEA "Evil Roy Slade" (1972)...is a made-for-television comedy Western filled with silly one-liners and sight gags that predates "Blazing Saddles" by two years. And though not nearly as good, " Evil Roy Slade" has still become somewhat of a campy cult classic. John Astin plays the main character, Slade ... "Sneaking, Lying, Arrogant, Dirty and Evil" ...abandoned at birth and raised by vultures. And he valiantly tries to change his “evil” ways when he falls for a pretty customer while robbing a bank. "Evil Roy Slade" (1972) Evil Roy mugs the camera more than Gomez  from "The Addams Family."  But that's okay.  There are plenty of other comedy actors cracking-wise and mostly giving Astin a good run for his mugging money.  There is also a young Larry Hankin as one of Slade's henchmen who simply makes every scene better just being in it.  (See Larry Hankin interview) For rock fans,

Taj Mahal  -----  "Taj Mahal" (1968) Electric blues, Chicago blues Debut album.  On Columbia (early 70s Rei) 8 tracks Horse Head Vinyl..."Dig and Spin" Let's face it.  Performing on the infamous "Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus"  (1968) didn't hurt none.  And brought some fiery "oomph" to plenty of new ears once the show was finally released.  That's where I first got on the train. So when I finally stumbled upon Taj Mahal's self-titled debut album earlier this spring, I was reminded of that show and threw down my money. I'm well aware expectations can throw a listener a nasty curve sometimes, but that was not the case here. Taj Mahal hit that comfortable sweet spot and has become one of my go-to albums when I need a blues-rock fix. "Taj Mahal" - Taj Mahal (back cover) Taj sings with joy while working the harp and making his guitar slide on ice. And I'm becoming a bigger fan of J