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Monday, October 31, 2016
Thursday, October 27, 2016
President Trump? ...And They Banned Clowns?
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| That's me in my Donald costume on the left. |
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| I added some teeth for Halloween. I think she looks better! |
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| internet file picture |
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| Me again on the left. |
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Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Mabel Hamilton at Age 21.
My dear old friend Mabel is gone but her memory will always be with me. Her daughter Holly sent me this old picture from 1938 to "fix up". I fell in love with the image. What is she thinking? She looks so pensive. We'll never know but we do know she has a wonderful and fulfilling life ahead of her. As with all these old pictures, the memories they bring back make them priceless and so worthwhile restoring. Never throw one away until at least you scan it and save it digitally. The nice part of this restoration is that the face escaped the cracking and wrinkling so the restoration job was easier. I'm slow at it so it still took me about 10 hours to complete.
Side-by-side you can see what needed to be done to bring this priceless image back and brighten it up. I tried to maintain the delicate softness and period look. Click on it to enlarge it.
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Sunday, October 23, 2016
My Favorite Big Other Family... The Hamiltons.
I've known my good old friend David (center Hawaiian shirt) since I was in grade 7. That's like 55 years ago so it shouldn't be too surprising that I feel like part of their family. I was very pleased when David's niece Kristine sent me some pictures to fix up that included most of the adults and their children and children's children. What memories this picture brings back. Many of the ones that are missing from the picture are still vivid in my mind as I recall the wonderful summer visits I spent in Waubaushene. Mabel's cottage in the background provides the setting for this great picture.
My first rendition removed a broom from the center of the picture. I replaced it later as I explain below.
Kristine sent me two pictures of the group (immediately above and below) so I merged them together to take advantage of the best smiles in each one. Half the people were in the shade so I had to try to equalize the colour balance between the two halves.
I removed the 2 beer cans on the lawn and the broom center. I debated whether to remove the white downspout and decided that it was probably a local landmark of sorts and left it in. I did take the liberty of sliding everybody closer together to the middle and this allowed me to make the picture fit into a 4 x 6 format. Unfortunately the original pictures were taken with a lower resolution older camera so there was nothing I could do to really increase the size.
The main reason Kristine sent me the picture in the first place was to see if I could insert Holly and Barry's grandchild Tucker into the scene since he was missing in the original. The sun cast a slightly different shadow since the pic must have been taken at a different time of day but it worked into the picture fairly well.
I tried putting Tucker up on the rock as in the addendum pic but decided he might need some company so I rearranged things a little, placing Tucker beside his Mom.
What a nice group! I really enjoyed working on this picture, seeing old and new faces and finally putting some images to the people that Holly talks about whenever we get together. Next time I see her I'll get her to tell me everybody's name. Don't forget, you can click any pic to enlarge it.
NOTE: You'll notice I added the broom back in. Kristine contacted me in the comments and explained its significance. My apologies for removing it.
Tim there was reason the broom was there. Nanna (Mabel) was "always sweeping" so we marked her final resting spot with a broom. thanks for sharing the photos and giving them life!
Kristine
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Kristine sent me two pictures of the group (immediately above and below) so I merged them together to take advantage of the best smiles in each one. Half the people were in the shade so I had to try to equalize the colour balance between the two halves.
I removed the 2 beer cans on the lawn and the broom center. I debated whether to remove the white downspout and decided that it was probably a local landmark of sorts and left it in. I did take the liberty of sliding everybody closer together to the middle and this allowed me to make the picture fit into a 4 x 6 format. Unfortunately the original pictures were taken with a lower resolution older camera so there was nothing I could do to really increase the size.
The main reason Kristine sent me the picture in the first place was to see if I could insert Holly and Barry's grandchild Tucker into the scene since he was missing in the original. The sun cast a slightly different shadow since the pic must have been taken at a different time of day but it worked into the picture fairly well.
I tried putting Tucker up on the rock as in the addendum pic but decided he might need some company so I rearranged things a little, placing Tucker beside his Mom.
NOTE: You'll notice I added the broom back in. Kristine contacted me in the comments and explained its significance. My apologies for removing it.
Tim there was reason the broom was there. Nanna (Mabel) was "always sweeping" so we marked her final resting spot with a broom. thanks for sharing the photos and giving them life!
Kristine
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Tuesday, October 18, 2016
A Real Nice Visit by Bob and Zander From Brockville.
My sister Pat lives in Brockville with her husband Bob and their two sons Alexander and Brandon. We don't get to see them too much because of the distance but Zander had an appointment here and Bob (he's legal counsel for the famous rock group Rush) landed a term job teaching Entertainment Law on several Wednesdays until the New Year at the University of Western Ontario where he got his degree.
We lucked out with a visit and since Zander's favorite restaurant is The Keg, Wendy and I and Erin met them there Monday evening for a nice meal and good conversation. It's always great to see them and there's never any lulls in the conversation as we get caught up on all the goings on. Hopefully we'll see Bob more often now that he's in town for his class.
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Saturday, October 15, 2016
Kijiji Fridge Arrives. Dead Fridge Exits.
Well, it is said that the two happiest days of a boat owners life are the day they buy a boat and the day they sell it. I can't say the same about a refrigerator. Especially when the old fridge lets you down after a mere 25 years or so. And especially when you are just leaving to visit friends up north. Ha ha! I need to find a new one with an ice-maker, my single, most important feature in a refrigerator.
When we got back from our visit with John and Cheryl at MullBain Lodge we had to find another fridge. Kijiji held the answer to our dilemma by providing an ad for a $300 so-called "like new" replacement and also a couple of contacts for people who would come and take the old one away for FREE. Double win win! Love that Kijiji!
Unfortunately there are a few risks in purchasing used stuff. When I connected the "new" fridge to the water line in the kitchen, we had a small flood. Upon examination I found a crack in the valve that supplies water to the ice-maker and water station. I really don't think that the Kijiji seller Greg knew there was any problems with the unit. I hereby give him the benefit of doubt since he explained to me that this fridge worked perfectly and he was selling it because they got a new one after a recent renovation. I suspect they put the fridge in the garage during and after the reno and the temperature dropped to below freezing and ruptured the water supply valve body. The internet says this is a common occurrence.
Thank the Lord for eBay since I was able to find the $100 replacement valve for under $30 CDN and intend to install it next week. I then will have my beloved ice-maker running and can again rest peacefully. Anyway, as Wendy said: "Where else would you find a good fridge for three hundred bucks?" and there's no sales tax.
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| Very tight fit... New fridge in back of the Rendezvous and the old fridge ready for scrap. |
When we got back from our visit with John and Cheryl at MullBain Lodge we had to find another fridge. Kijiji held the answer to our dilemma by providing an ad for a $300 so-called "like new" replacement and also a couple of contacts for people who would come and take the old one away for FREE. Double win win! Love that Kijiji!
Unfortunately there are a few risks in purchasing used stuff. When I connected the "new" fridge to the water line in the kitchen, we had a small flood. Upon examination I found a crack in the valve that supplies water to the ice-maker and water station. I really don't think that the Kijiji seller Greg knew there was any problems with the unit. I hereby give him the benefit of doubt since he explained to me that this fridge worked perfectly and he was selling it because they got a new one after a recent renovation. I suspect they put the fridge in the garage during and after the reno and the temperature dropped to below freezing and ruptured the water supply valve body. The internet says this is a common occurrence.
Thank the Lord for eBay since I was able to find the $100 replacement valve for under $30 CDN and intend to install it next week. I then will have my beloved ice-maker running and can again rest peacefully. Anyway, as Wendy said: "Where else would you find a good fridge for three hundred bucks?" and there's no sales tax.
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Friday, October 14, 2016
MullBain Lodge, Spectacular Fall Colours.
Tuesday our refrigerator quit working. There is no GOOD time for a fridge to fail but of course; according to Murphy's Law, we were scheduled Wednesday to drive up and visit our good friends John and Cheryl at Wood Lake near Bracebridge. Thank goodness we were still home and have a spare fridge in the basement so we were able to quickly shuttle everything down there before we left to go away.
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| Click the Pic! Leaves and pine needles floating near the dock at MullBain Lodge. |
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| A spectacular fall view from MullBain Lodge. |
Holly and Barry came over from Waubaushene to stay overnight so with a visit also by John and Cheryl's daughter Jesse and son-in-law Tyler we had a nice visit and lots of good conversation as well as drinks (except for Jesse of course) and tasty treats.
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| What a welcoming view from the parking area! |
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| A refinishing project takes a back seat to other more pressing issues, eg. Jesse's new baby. |
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| Jesse and Ty arrive. The new baby is due in Feb, |
We drove up to the little village of Dorset where for the bargain price of $6 per car ($1 each) we were permitted to climb to the top of a forest ranger tower for a bird's eye view of the forest and lakes for miles in every direction.
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| Unreal scenery from the cliffs above Dorset Ontario. |
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| The Blues Brothers, Barry, John and Tim. |
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Sunday, October 9, 2016
At The Aeolian Hall - Maria Muldaur, A Huge Oasis of Blues.
Last month I bought two tickets to a one-night performance last night (Saturday) at the Aeolian Hall here in London. This historic old town hall, now known for its fine acoustics, was the venue for a performance by one of the world's most amazing living folk/blues singers, Maria Muldaur.
I was so inspired by the place I created a watercolour post card that they might be able to sell to help with their revenue flow.
Famous for her 1970's hit song "Midnight at the Oasis" the 73 year old still can wail out a raucous tune with phenomenal vocal range. Her two, high energy sets were over 45 minutes each. and her very talented 3 piece band played a good selection of some of Maria's 500 or so recorded songs from 40 albums spanning her 42 year recording career.
Even more amazing to me is the Septuagenarian's huge event schedule which in the past few years alone has taken her all over North America and the UK. Her tireless energy and ability to appear night after night in so many places. It certainly can't be an easy life. Below is a sampling of her unbelievably busy agenda as seen on her website at http://www.mariamuldaur.com:
Wednesday, January 28th, 2015
Acoustic Blues Festival - Freight and Salvage, Berkeley, CA
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Zodiacs, Petaluma, CA:
Sunday, February 8, 2015
The French Garden, Sebastopol, CA
Friday, February 20, 2015
Black Oak Casino, Tuolomne, CA
March 20, 2015
Ventura Beach Club, Ventura, CA
March 21, 2015
McCabe's Guitar Shop, Santa Monica, CA
March 22, 2015
Musical Instrument Museum, Phoeniz, AZ
Saturday, April 18, 2015
The Pocket, Santa Cruz, CA
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Freight & Salvage, Berkeley, CA Tickets
Friday, April 24, 2015 Happy Earth Day!
Benefit for Mt. Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center, Mt Shasta Resort
Monday, August 8, 2016
"Brickyard Blues" a Celebration of Allen Toussaint -Yoshi's, Oakland, CA
Saturday, August 13, 2016
Rancho Nicasio, Nicasio, CA - Bluesiana Dance Party
Friday, August 26, 2016
West End Celebration Kick-Off Party @ Carmel Stone Imports, Sand City, CA
Friday, September 2, 2016
"Jazzabelle" - An evening of Vintage Classic Jazz, and Naughty Bawdy Blues featuring piantist extraordinaire, John R. Burr - Armandos, Martinez, CA
Saturday, September 3, 2016
The Red Barn, Los Osos, CA
Sunday, September 4, 2016
Sebastopol Cajun-Zydeco Festival - Sebastopol, CA
Friday, September 9, 2016
Yachats, Commons - Yachats, OR
Saturday, September 10, 2016
Lincoln Theater - Mount Vernon, WA
Sunday, September 11, 2016
Highway 99 Blues Club - Seattle, WA
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
The Minot Sleep Inn - Minot, ND
Saturday, September 17, 2016
Fur Peace Ranch, Pomeroy, OH
Sunday September 18, 2016
The Kent Stage - Kent, OH
Thursday, September 22, 2016
The Spire Center for the Performing Arts- Plymouth, MA
Friday, September 23, 2016
Vinegar Hill Music Center - Arundel, ME
Saturday, Septmebr 24, 2016
The Van Dyck - Schenectady, NY
Sunday, September 25, 2016
The Parlor Room, Northampton, MA
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
AMP by Strathmore - North Bethesda, MD
Friday, September 30, 2016
The Falcon - Marlboro, NY
Saturday, Ocotber 1, 2016
The Kennett Flash - Kennett Square, PA
Sunday, October 2, 2016
Jalopy Theatre - Brooklyn, NY
Monday, October 5, 2016
Turning Point - Piermont, NY
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Sportsmen's Tavern - Buffalo, NY
Friday, October 7, 2016
This Ain't Hollywood - Hamilton, ONT
Saturday, October 8, 2016
Aeolian Hall - London, ONT
Sunday, October 9, 2016
Trinity House Theater, Livonia, MI Tickets
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill - Grand Rapids, MI
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Natalie's Coal-Fired Pizza and Live Music - Worthington, OH
Sunday, October 16, 2016
Jazz Kitchen - Indianapolis, IN
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
SPACE - Evanston, IL
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Des Moines Social Club - Des Moines, IA
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Knuckleheads Saloon - Kansas City MO
Sunday, October 23, 2016
Milley Award Honoree - Mill Valley, CA
Friday and Saturday , October 28 & 29, 2016
Jazz Jubilee - Pismo Beach, CA
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Tales from the Tavern - Santa Ynez, CA
Saturday, November 12, 2016
Nell's Jazz & Blues, London UK
Thursday, November 17, 2016
Blues Alive Festival - Dum Cultry (House of Culture) - Sumperk, CZ
Saturday, December 3, 2016
The Sound Room - Oakland, CA
Saturday, December 17, 2016
The Big Easy, Petaluma, CA - Christmas at the Oasis Show
~~~~~~~~PAST SHOWS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Friday, January 22, 2016
A special tribute to Blue Lu Barker The Palm Court, New Orleans
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Freight & Salvage, Berkeley, CA A Very Special Concert In Tribute To Allen Toussaint Ticket Info TBA
Saturday, February 6, 2016
Way Past Midnight show at Mission Coffee Roastery, Fremont,Ca
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Music for Lovers, Piedmont Piano Company, Oakland,Ca
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Special Guest w/Campbell Brothers, Detroit, MI Venue TBA
Saturday, March 12, 2016
The Sutter Creek Theater, Sutter Creek, CA Tickets
Sunday, March 13, 2016
The French Garden, Sebastopol, CA - JAZZABELLE CONCERT Tickets
Saturday, April 23, 2016
The Big Easy, Petaluma, CA 'An Evening Celebrating the Life & Music Of Allen Toussaint'
Friday, May 20, 2016
The Fenix, San Rafael, CA
Saturday, June 25, 2016
Fountain Blues Festival, San Jose, CA
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Unitarian Fellowship, Ashland, OR Tickets
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Alhambra Theater, Portland, OR
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Community Center, Aromas, CA
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Feather Falls Casino Blues Festival, Oroville, CA
Saturday, June 6, 2015
KCSM'S Jazz On The Hill, San Mateo, CA
Friday, July 3, 2015
Biscuits & Blues, San Francisco, CA
Sunday, July 19, 2015
START OF JIM KWESKIN JUG BAND REUNION TOUR
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Sellersville Theater, Sellersville, NJ; JIM KWESKIN JUG BAND REUNION TOUR
Monday, July 20, 2015
City Winery, NYC; JIM KWESKIN JUG BAND REUNION TOUR
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
The Egg, Albany, NY; JIM KWESKIN JUG BAND REUNION TOUR
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Towne Crier, Beacon, NY; JIM KWESKIN JUG BAND REUNION TOUR
Friday, July 24, 2015
Club Passim, Cambridge, MA; JIM KWESKIN JUG BAND REUNION TOUR
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Club Passim, Cambridge, MA; JIM KWESKIN JUG BAND REUNION TOUR
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Infinity Hall, Norfolk, CT; JIM KWESKIN JUG BAND REUNION TOUR
Thursday, August 6, 2015
City Winery, Napa, CA
Saturday, August 8, 2015
Mildred Owen Concert Hall, Pacifica, CA
Saturday, August 29, 2015
Grass Valley Center For The Arts, Grass Valley, CA
September 10, 2015
START OF U.S. & CANADA TOUR
September 11, 2015
Jazzbones, Tacoma, WA
September 12, 2015
Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle, WA
September 13, 2015
Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle, WA
September 15, 2015
Studio Bob, Port Angeles, WA
September 16, 2015
Studio Bob, Port Angeles, WA
September 17, 2015
H2O, Anacortes, WA
September 18, 2015
Media Club, Vancouver, BC Canada
Setember 19, 2015
Queens, Vancouver Island, BC Canda
September 21, 2015
Hermann's Jazz Club, Victoria, BC
September 22, 2015
Hermann's Jazz Club, Victoria, BC
September 23, 2015
Duncan Showroom, Duncan, BC
September 24, 2015
Blue Frog, White Rock, BC
September 26, 2015
Royal Grill, Nelson, BC
September 27, 2015
Royal Grill, Nelson, BC
September 30, 2015
The Comet Theater, Cook, MN
October 1, 2015
Dakota Jazz Club, Minneapolis, MN
October 2, 2015
Knuckleheads Saloon, Kansas City, MO
October 3, 2015
Zoo Bar, Lincoln, NE
October 5, 2015
Morningstar Studio, Fairfield, IA
October 7, 2015
Sportsmen's Tavern, Buffalo, NY
October 8, 2015
Hugh's Room, Toronto, Canda
October 9, 2015
Levon Helm's Ramble, Woodstock, NY
October 10, 2015
Godfrey Daniels, Bethlehem, PA Tickets
October 11, 2015
Towne Crier, Beaon, NY
October 14, 2015
Abilene Bar & Saloon, Rochester, NY
October 15, 2015
Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, NY
October 16, 2015
Jonathan's, Ogunquit, ME
October 17, 2015
Bull Run, Shirley, MA Tickets
October 18, 2015
Ringwood Public Library, Ringwood, NJ
October 21, 2015
Cafe Nine, New Haven CT Tickets
October 24, 2015
Tin Pan, Richmond, VA Tickets
October 25, 2015
Bethesda Jazz & Blues, Bethesda, MD
October 27, 2015
The Grey Eagle, Asheville, NC
October 29, 2015
Blind Willie's, Atlanta, GA
October 30, 2015
The Funky Biscuit, Boca Raton, FL
November 1, 2015
Bradfordville Blues Club, Tallahasse, FL
November 3, 2015
Snug Harbor, New Orleans, LA
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Maria Muldaur's Way Past Midnight Show Dance Palace Point Reyes Station, CA Tickets
Saturday, November 21, 2015
Maria Muldaur's Way Past Midnight Show - Live @ The Library - Rhythmix Cultural Works Tickets
Friday, December 11, 2015
Christmas at the Oasis, First United Methodist Church, Point Richmond, CA Tickets
Saturday, December 12, 2015
"Christmas At The Oasis" Concert, Rocklin Event Center, Rocklin, CA Tickets
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
*Special Guest Appearance w/ that Wild & Wacky Christmas Jug Band*, Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse, Berkeley, CA Tickets
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~In Review~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~2014~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
March 1st, 2014
Spirit and the Blues with The Campbell Brothers - Miami University - The Parrish Auditorium - Hamilton, OH --
Friday, February 7th, 2014
Maria Muldaur & Her East Coast Blues Band - Paramount Hudson Valley - Peekskill, NY
Saturday, February 8th, 2014
Maria Muldaur & Her East Coast Blues Band - Mechanics Hall - Worchester, MA
Sunday, February 9th, 2014
Maria Muldaur & Her East Coast Blues Band - Blast Furnace Blues Festival - Bethlehem, PA
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~2013~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour~~~~~~~~
Monday - October 28th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Orchard Theatre, Dartford, UK
Tuesday - October 29th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Bridgewater Hall - Manchester, UK
Wednesday - October 30th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Royal Hall - Harrogate, UK
Friday - November 1st, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Victoria Hall - Stoke, UK
Saturday - November 2nd, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Regent - Ipswich, UK
Sunday, November 3rd, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Waterside Theatre - Aylesbury, UK
Monday, November 4th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Colston Hall - Bristol, UK
Wednesday, November 6th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, City Hall - Salisbury, UK
Thursday, November 7th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Corn Exchange - Cambridge, UK
Friday, November 8th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, The Anvil - Basingstoke, UK
Saturday, November 9th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Winter Gardens - Margate, UK
Sunday, November 10th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Shanklin Theatre - Shanklin, Isle of Wight, UK
Monday, November 11th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Opera House - Buxton, UK
Tuesday, November 12th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Grand Theatre - Leeds, UK
Thursday, November 14th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Symphony Hall - Birmingham, UK
Friday, November 15th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Concert Hall - Preston, UK
Saturday, November 16th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Venue Cymru - Llandudno, UK
Sunday, November 17th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Colosseum - Watford, UK
Tueday, November 19th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, The Sage - Gates, UK
Wednesday, November 20th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, The Alhambra - Dunfermline, UK
Friday, November 22nd, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Floral Pavilion - New Brighton, UK
Saturday, November 23rd, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, G-Live - Guildford, UK
Monday, November 25th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, The Barbican - London, UK
Tuesday, November 26th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Dome - Brighton, UK
Wednesday, November 27th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Cliffs Pavilion - Southend, UK
Friday, November 29th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Lighthouse - Poole, UK
Saturday, November 30th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Theatre Royal - Plymouth, UK
Thursday - December 12th, 2013
The Christmas Jug Band w/special guest, Maria Muldaur - Freight & Salvage - Berkeley, CA
Saturday - December 14th, 2013
Maria Muldaur's "Christmas at the Oasis", Biscuits & Blues - San Francisco, CA
Saturday - December 28th, 2013
The Jim Kweskin Jug Band's final 50th Anniversary celebration with Tom Rush and other artists - Symphony Hall, Boston, MA
Tuesday & Wednesday - October 15th & 16th, 2013
"Women Who Rock....Saluting the Pioneers" - Musical Instrument Museum (MIM), Phoenix, AZ
Friday - October 11th, 2013
Mill Valley Film Festival Concert in Celebration of Mike Bloomfield, Sweetwater Music Hall, Mill Valley, CA
Saturday - October 5th, 2013
"The Last of The Red Hot Mamas - An Evening of Naughty, Bawdy, and Tales of Love & Lust" - The Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz, CA
Sunday - October 6th, 2013
A Loving Tribute to Kate McGarrigle - Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, San Francisco, CA
Tuesday - October 8th, 2013
Mill Valley Film Festival's Premiere Celebration Concert for Maureen Gosling and Chris Simon's "This Ain't no Mouse Music! The Story of Chris Strachwitz and Arhoolie Records", Sweetwater Music Hall, Mill Valley, CA
September 21st, 2013
Maria Muldaur & Her Red Hot Bluesia Band - Riverwood Inn, Phillipsville, CA
September 20th, 2013
Maria Muldaur & Her Red Hot Bluesiana Band - The Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center, Livermore, CA http://tickets.livermoreperformingarts.org/single/EventDetail.aspx?p=3165
September 1st, 2013
The Jim Kweskin Jug Band 50th Anniversary Reunion - Rhythm and Roots Festival - Ninigret Park, Charlestown, Rhode Island -- www.rhythmandroots.com
August 29th & 30th, 2013
The Jim Kweskin Jug Band 50th Anniversary Reunion - Club Passim - Cambridge, MA --www.clubpassim.org
August 28th, 2013
The Jim Kweskin Jug Band 50th Anniversary Reunion - The Egg Center for the Performing Arts - Albany, NY -- www.theegg.org
August 22nd, 2013
Spirit and the Blues with The Campbell Brothers - The Skirball Center - Los Angeles, CA -- www.skirball.org
August 18th, 2013
Spirit and the Blues with The Campbell Brothers - The Assembly - Sacramento, CA -- www.swell-productions.com
August 17th, 2013
Spirit and the Blues with The Campbell Brothers - Barclay Theater, Oats Park Arts Center, Fallon, NV -- http://www.churchillarts.org/
August 16th, 2013
Spirit and the Blues with The Campbell Brothers - Throckmorton Theatre - Mill Valley, CA -- www.142throckmortontheatre.com
August 3rd, 2013
The Midnight Ramble Band - The Barn - Levon Helm Studios - Woodstock, NY -- www.levonhelm.com/midnight_ramble.htm
July 28th, 2013
Spirit and the Blues with The Campbell Brothers - Music Haven Stage, Central Park - Schenectady, NY -- www.musichavenstage.org
July 6th & 7th, 2013
The Jim Kweskin Jug Band 50th Anniversary Reunion - The Freight & Salvage - Berkeley, CA -- www.thefreight.org
July 3rd & 5th, 2013
The Jim Kweskin Jug Band 50th Anniversary Reunion - Studio E - Sebastopol, CA
Acoustic Blues Festival - Freight and Salvage, Berkeley, CA
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Zodiacs, Petaluma, CA:
Sunday, February 8, 2015
The French Garden, Sebastopol, CA
Friday, February 20, 2015
Black Oak Casino, Tuolomne, CA
March 20, 2015
Ventura Beach Club, Ventura, CA
March 21, 2015
McCabe's Guitar Shop, Santa Monica, CA
March 22, 2015
Musical Instrument Museum, Phoeniz, AZ
Saturday, April 18, 2015
The Pocket, Santa Cruz, CA
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Freight & Salvage, Berkeley, CA Tickets
Friday, April 24, 2015 Happy Earth Day!
Benefit for Mt. Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center, Mt Shasta Resort
Monday, August 8, 2016
"Brickyard Blues" a Celebration of Allen Toussaint -Yoshi's, Oakland, CA
Saturday, August 13, 2016
Rancho Nicasio, Nicasio, CA - Bluesiana Dance Party
Friday, August 26, 2016
West End Celebration Kick-Off Party @ Carmel Stone Imports, Sand City, CA
Friday, September 2, 2016
"Jazzabelle" - An evening of Vintage Classic Jazz, and Naughty Bawdy Blues featuring piantist extraordinaire, John R. Burr - Armandos, Martinez, CA
Saturday, September 3, 2016
The Red Barn, Los Osos, CA
Sunday, September 4, 2016
Sebastopol Cajun-Zydeco Festival - Sebastopol, CA
Friday, September 9, 2016
Yachats, Commons - Yachats, OR
Saturday, September 10, 2016
Lincoln Theater - Mount Vernon, WA
Sunday, September 11, 2016
Highway 99 Blues Club - Seattle, WA
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
The Minot Sleep Inn - Minot, ND
Saturday, September 17, 2016
Fur Peace Ranch, Pomeroy, OH
Sunday September 18, 2016
The Kent Stage - Kent, OH
Thursday, September 22, 2016
The Spire Center for the Performing Arts- Plymouth, MA
Friday, September 23, 2016
Vinegar Hill Music Center - Arundel, ME
Saturday, Septmebr 24, 2016
The Van Dyck - Schenectady, NY
Sunday, September 25, 2016
The Parlor Room, Northampton, MA
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
AMP by Strathmore - North Bethesda, MD
Friday, September 30, 2016
The Falcon - Marlboro, NY
Saturday, Ocotber 1, 2016
The Kennett Flash - Kennett Square, PA
Sunday, October 2, 2016
Jalopy Theatre - Brooklyn, NY
Monday, October 5, 2016
Turning Point - Piermont, NY
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Sportsmen's Tavern - Buffalo, NY
Friday, October 7, 2016
This Ain't Hollywood - Hamilton, ONT
Saturday, October 8, 2016
Aeolian Hall - London, ONT
Sunday, October 9, 2016
Trinity House Theater, Livonia, MI Tickets
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill - Grand Rapids, MI
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Natalie's Coal-Fired Pizza and Live Music - Worthington, OH
Sunday, October 16, 2016
Jazz Kitchen - Indianapolis, IN
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
SPACE - Evanston, IL
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Des Moines Social Club - Des Moines, IA
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Knuckleheads Saloon - Kansas City MO
Sunday, October 23, 2016
Milley Award Honoree - Mill Valley, CA
Friday and Saturday , October 28 & 29, 2016
Jazz Jubilee - Pismo Beach, CA
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Tales from the Tavern - Santa Ynez, CA
Saturday, November 12, 2016
Nell's Jazz & Blues, London UK
Thursday, November 17, 2016
Blues Alive Festival - Dum Cultry (House of Culture) - Sumperk, CZ
Saturday, December 3, 2016
The Sound Room - Oakland, CA
Saturday, December 17, 2016
The Big Easy, Petaluma, CA - Christmas at the Oasis Show
~~~~~~~~PAST SHOWS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday, January 22, 2016
A special tribute to Blue Lu Barker The Palm Court, New Orleans
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Freight & Salvage, Berkeley, CA A Very Special Concert In Tribute To Allen Toussaint Ticket Info TBA
Saturday, February 6, 2016
Way Past Midnight show at Mission Coffee Roastery, Fremont,Ca
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Music for Lovers, Piedmont Piano Company, Oakland,Ca
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Special Guest w/Campbell Brothers, Detroit, MI Venue TBA
Saturday, March 12, 2016
The Sutter Creek Theater, Sutter Creek, CA Tickets
Sunday, March 13, 2016
The French Garden, Sebastopol, CA - JAZZABELLE CONCERT Tickets
Saturday, April 23, 2016
The Big Easy, Petaluma, CA 'An Evening Celebrating the Life & Music Of Allen Toussaint'
Friday, May 20, 2016
The Fenix, San Rafael, CA
Saturday, June 25, 2016
Fountain Blues Festival, San Jose, CA
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Unitarian Fellowship, Ashland, OR Tickets
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Alhambra Theater, Portland, OR
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Community Center, Aromas, CA
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Feather Falls Casino Blues Festival, Oroville, CA
Saturday, June 6, 2015
KCSM'S Jazz On The Hill, San Mateo, CA
Friday, July 3, 2015
Biscuits & Blues, San Francisco, CA
Sunday, July 19, 2015
START OF JIM KWESKIN JUG BAND REUNION TOUR
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Sellersville Theater, Sellersville, NJ; JIM KWESKIN JUG BAND REUNION TOUR
Monday, July 20, 2015
City Winery, NYC; JIM KWESKIN JUG BAND REUNION TOUR
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
The Egg, Albany, NY; JIM KWESKIN JUG BAND REUNION TOUR
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Towne Crier, Beacon, NY; JIM KWESKIN JUG BAND REUNION TOUR
Friday, July 24, 2015
Club Passim, Cambridge, MA; JIM KWESKIN JUG BAND REUNION TOUR
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Club Passim, Cambridge, MA; JIM KWESKIN JUG BAND REUNION TOUR
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Infinity Hall, Norfolk, CT; JIM KWESKIN JUG BAND REUNION TOUR
Thursday, August 6, 2015
City Winery, Napa, CA
Saturday, August 8, 2015
Mildred Owen Concert Hall, Pacifica, CA
Saturday, August 29, 2015
Grass Valley Center For The Arts, Grass Valley, CA
September 10, 2015
START OF U.S. & CANADA TOUR
September 11, 2015
Jazzbones, Tacoma, WA
September 12, 2015
Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle, WA
September 13, 2015
Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle, WA
September 15, 2015
Studio Bob, Port Angeles, WA
September 16, 2015
Studio Bob, Port Angeles, WA
September 17, 2015
H2O, Anacortes, WA
September 18, 2015
Media Club, Vancouver, BC Canada
Setember 19, 2015
Queens, Vancouver Island, BC Canda
September 21, 2015
Hermann's Jazz Club, Victoria, BC
September 22, 2015
Hermann's Jazz Club, Victoria, BC
September 23, 2015
Duncan Showroom, Duncan, BC
September 24, 2015
Blue Frog, White Rock, BC
September 26, 2015
Royal Grill, Nelson, BC
September 27, 2015
Royal Grill, Nelson, BC
September 30, 2015
The Comet Theater, Cook, MN
October 1, 2015
Dakota Jazz Club, Minneapolis, MN
October 2, 2015
Knuckleheads Saloon, Kansas City, MO
October 3, 2015
Zoo Bar, Lincoln, NE
October 5, 2015
Morningstar Studio, Fairfield, IA
October 7, 2015
Sportsmen's Tavern, Buffalo, NY
October 8, 2015
Hugh's Room, Toronto, Canda
October 9, 2015
Levon Helm's Ramble, Woodstock, NY
October 10, 2015
Godfrey Daniels, Bethlehem, PA Tickets
October 11, 2015
Towne Crier, Beaon, NY
October 14, 2015
Abilene Bar & Saloon, Rochester, NY
October 15, 2015
Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, NY
October 16, 2015
Jonathan's, Ogunquit, ME
October 17, 2015
Bull Run, Shirley, MA Tickets
October 18, 2015
Ringwood Public Library, Ringwood, NJ
October 21, 2015
Cafe Nine, New Haven CT Tickets
October 24, 2015
Tin Pan, Richmond, VA Tickets
October 25, 2015
Bethesda Jazz & Blues, Bethesda, MD
October 27, 2015
The Grey Eagle, Asheville, NC
October 29, 2015
Blind Willie's, Atlanta, GA
October 30, 2015
The Funky Biscuit, Boca Raton, FL
November 1, 2015
Bradfordville Blues Club, Tallahasse, FL
November 3, 2015
Snug Harbor, New Orleans, LA
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Maria Muldaur's Way Past Midnight Show Dance Palace Point Reyes Station, CA Tickets
Saturday, November 21, 2015
Maria Muldaur's Way Past Midnight Show - Live @ The Library - Rhythmix Cultural Works Tickets
Friday, December 11, 2015
Christmas at the Oasis, First United Methodist Church, Point Richmond, CA Tickets
Saturday, December 12, 2015
"Christmas At The Oasis" Concert, Rocklin Event Center, Rocklin, CA Tickets
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
*Special Guest Appearance w/ that Wild & Wacky Christmas Jug Band*, Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse, Berkeley, CA Tickets
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~In Review~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~2014~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
March 1st, 2014
Spirit and the Blues with The Campbell Brothers - Miami University - The Parrish Auditorium - Hamilton, OH --
Friday, February 7th, 2014
Maria Muldaur & Her East Coast Blues Band - Paramount Hudson Valley - Peekskill, NY
Saturday, February 8th, 2014
Maria Muldaur & Her East Coast Blues Band - Mechanics Hall - Worchester, MA
Sunday, February 9th, 2014
Maria Muldaur & Her East Coast Blues Band - Blast Furnace Blues Festival - Bethlehem, PA
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~2013~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour~~~~~~~~
Monday - October 28th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Orchard Theatre, Dartford, UK
Tuesday - October 29th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Bridgewater Hall - Manchester, UK
Wednesday - October 30th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Royal Hall - Harrogate, UK
Friday - November 1st, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Victoria Hall - Stoke, UK
Saturday - November 2nd, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Regent - Ipswich, UK
Sunday, November 3rd, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Waterside Theatre - Aylesbury, UK
Monday, November 4th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Colston Hall - Bristol, UK
Wednesday, November 6th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, City Hall - Salisbury, UK
Thursday, November 7th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Corn Exchange - Cambridge, UK
Friday, November 8th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, The Anvil - Basingstoke, UK
Saturday, November 9th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Winter Gardens - Margate, UK
Sunday, November 10th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Shanklin Theatre - Shanklin, Isle of Wight, UK
Monday, November 11th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Opera House - Buxton, UK
Tuesday, November 12th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Grand Theatre - Leeds, UK
Thursday, November 14th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Symphony Hall - Birmingham, UK
Friday, November 15th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Concert Hall - Preston, UK
Saturday, November 16th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Venue Cymru - Llandudno, UK
Sunday, November 17th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Colosseum - Watford, UK
Tueday, November 19th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, The Sage - Gates, UK
Wednesday, November 20th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, The Alhambra - Dunfermline, UK
Friday, November 22nd, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Floral Pavilion - New Brighton, UK
Saturday, November 23rd, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, G-Live - Guildford, UK
Monday, November 25th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, The Barbican - London, UK
Tuesday, November 26th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Dome - Brighton, UK
Wednesday, November 27th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Cliffs Pavilion - Southend, UK
Friday, November 29th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Lighthouse - Poole, UK
Saturday, November 30th, 2013
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings UK Tour, Theatre Royal - Plymouth, UK
Thursday - December 12th, 2013
The Christmas Jug Band w/special guest, Maria Muldaur - Freight & Salvage - Berkeley, CA
Saturday - December 14th, 2013
Maria Muldaur's "Christmas at the Oasis", Biscuits & Blues - San Francisco, CA
Saturday - December 28th, 2013
The Jim Kweskin Jug Band's final 50th Anniversary celebration with Tom Rush and other artists - Symphony Hall, Boston, MA
Tuesday & Wednesday - October 15th & 16th, 2013
"Women Who Rock....Saluting the Pioneers" - Musical Instrument Museum (MIM), Phoenix, AZ
Friday - October 11th, 2013
Mill Valley Film Festival Concert in Celebration of Mike Bloomfield, Sweetwater Music Hall, Mill Valley, CA
Saturday - October 5th, 2013
"The Last of The Red Hot Mamas - An Evening of Naughty, Bawdy, and Tales of Love & Lust" - The Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz, CA
Sunday - October 6th, 2013
A Loving Tribute to Kate McGarrigle - Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, San Francisco, CA
Tuesday - October 8th, 2013
Mill Valley Film Festival's Premiere Celebration Concert for Maureen Gosling and Chris Simon's "This Ain't no Mouse Music! The Story of Chris Strachwitz and Arhoolie Records", Sweetwater Music Hall, Mill Valley, CA
September 21st, 2013
Maria Muldaur & Her Red Hot Bluesia Band - Riverwood Inn, Phillipsville, CA
September 20th, 2013
Maria Muldaur & Her Red Hot Bluesiana Band - The Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center, Livermore, CA http://tickets.livermoreperformingarts.org/single/EventDetail.aspx?p=3165
September 1st, 2013
The Jim Kweskin Jug Band 50th Anniversary Reunion - Rhythm and Roots Festival - Ninigret Park, Charlestown, Rhode Island -- www.rhythmandroots.com
August 29th & 30th, 2013
The Jim Kweskin Jug Band 50th Anniversary Reunion - Club Passim - Cambridge, MA --www.clubpassim.org
August 28th, 2013
The Jim Kweskin Jug Band 50th Anniversary Reunion - The Egg Center for the Performing Arts - Albany, NY -- www.theegg.org
August 22nd, 2013
Spirit and the Blues with The Campbell Brothers - The Skirball Center - Los Angeles, CA -- www.skirball.org
August 18th, 2013
Spirit and the Blues with The Campbell Brothers - The Assembly - Sacramento, CA -- www.swell-productions.com
August 17th, 2013
Spirit and the Blues with The Campbell Brothers - Barclay Theater, Oats Park Arts Center, Fallon, NV -- http://www.churchillarts.org/
August 16th, 2013
Spirit and the Blues with The Campbell Brothers - Throckmorton Theatre - Mill Valley, CA -- www.142throckmortontheatre.com
August 3rd, 2013
The Midnight Ramble Band - The Barn - Levon Helm Studios - Woodstock, NY -- www.levonhelm.com/midnight_ramble.htm
July 28th, 2013
Spirit and the Blues with The Campbell Brothers - Music Haven Stage, Central Park - Schenectady, NY -- www.musichavenstage.org
July 6th & 7th, 2013
The Jim Kweskin Jug Band 50th Anniversary Reunion - The Freight & Salvage - Berkeley, CA -- www.thefreight.org
July 3rd & 5th, 2013
The Jim Kweskin Jug Band 50th Anniversary Reunion - Studio E - Sebastopol, CA
If you get a chance, go and see this beautiful lady perform. You won't be disappointed. CLICK HERE to read more on Wikipedia.
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Saturday, October 8, 2016
An American Decides Not To Vote.
Why I Don't Vote... And You Shouldn't Either
By Porter Stansberry
My good friend and intellectual mentor, Doug Casey, recently shared the five reasons why he doesn't vote.
He typically re-publishes these thoughts every four years. Perhaps you've seen them before.
While I agree with Doug in principle... I have a wholly different rationale for not voting. Given today's election, I thought I'd tell you about it.
The reason I don't vote (and you shouldn't either) is...
Our current system of governance is nothing more than tyranny, and it's on track to destroy our country.
Like Doug says, asking me to vote is like four wolves sitting around the table asking the sheep what he'd like for dinner. It certainly doesn't matter what the sheep says. Asking me to participate in this charade won't bring it any legitimacy; it will only make me a party to the fraud. Asking me to vote is like asking a free man to put himself willingly into bondage. It's insulting.
And when I say that my vote doesn't count, I don't mean no one will count it. I mean that, given the structure of our tax laws, there's no way my voice will possibly matter.
I currently spend about 50 times more on federal taxes than the median taxpayer. I pay a rate of federal tax that's more than double the average rate.
The 14th Amendment supposedly protects me against this kind of inequity. It promises me the "equal protection" of the laws and says the state can't deprive me of my property without due process. But the last time there was a dispute about my taxes, the state seized every penny of my assets it could find. It took my checking account and my brokerage account without even bothering to tell me. It moved to put a lien on my house. I found out what was happening via a letter from Bank of America.
The IRS offered me no due process; it didn't even notify me. (By the way, the matter was resolved after about six months. Turns out the state owed me $2,000 in refunds. They declined to pay me, citing the statute of limitations. True story.)
And I certainly enjoy no equal protection. Just look at the rate and amount I pay compared with more than 90% of other people in this country.
It is impossible for me to peacefully object to this kind of tyranny. Even if I were to give up my citizenship and leave the country, I would be forced to pay an exit tax that's roughly equal to the death tax my heirs will be forced to pay on my estate. These are the same kind of laws, by the way, that kept a generation of people locked behind the Iron Curtain. Leaving meant giving up all of your wealth. I can't possibly vote my way out of this situation. I can't peacefully object. I can't exit. Nor can I petition the courts for redress, as the Supreme Court has specifically ruled that the Bill of Rights doesn't apply to revenue matters. (See Lehnhausen v. Lake Shore Auto Parts Co... a 9-0 decision.)
I understand no one will feel sorry for me. The vast majority of folks will continue to vote. And what they'll vote for is more and more of my wallet. They are the proverbial wolves. And I am the proverbial sheep. When the sheep complains, the wolves just laugh.
That's fine with me... I will get the last laugh.
You see, this system will inevitably lead to more and more government, higher and higher taxes, and bigger and bigger deficits. This system will eventually destroy our country, just as abuses like these have destroyed every democracy in history. Along the way, with a very small intellectual advantage, I will earn far more from various non-reported speculations (gold, silver, foreign real estate, etc.) than the government will be able to tax. The sheep may be shorn... But he will not be eaten. The wolves, meanwhile, will soon be feeding on each other.
This kind of progressive tax structure, where a tiny fraction of the population pays for essentially all of the government's spending, creates the illusion that the government and its services are free. Our system is a lie. The lie is that you can live at the expense of your neighbor.
Yes, it sure seems true right now. Today, about 10% of the population pays for roughly 75% of all income taxes. Looks like everything is working out the way the voters want... They want more government services... They want free "Obama phones"... and EBT cards that can purchase luxury items and booze... and discounted housing... and cheap mortgages... and free education... and free health care...
They want it all. And they will vote for it every time. More and more.
By 2011, 49.1% of American households received some form of direct benefits from the federal government. As a result, more than 60% of Americans now receive more benefits from the federal government than they pay in taxes.
Folks who are the recipients of this largesse have developed sophisticated arguments to explain why this is "fair" and "right." But the truth is, it doesn't really matter what they say. In a democracy, every argument about what's legal eventually comes down to the ballot box. And there's no way the 10% who have to pay can compete with the 90% who don't when it comes to a vote.
And so... since 1960, the average federal-tax burden per family in the U.S. has soared. In real dollars (indexed to 2011), the tax burden in America has gone from $11,500 per household to almost $25,000 annually. Just ask yourself this question... How can the median household, which earned $50,000 in 2011, afford to spend half its income on taxes? Obviously, it can't. And by having sharply progressive taxation, it doesn't have to... at least on paper. We'll come back to this in a minute.
First... even though the mob can clearly vote itself whatever tax structure it wants... the tax burden is now painful enough to seriously harm the economy. That is, even though the political feedback loop is broken (the majority of voters don't have to pay the taxes, so there's nothing to stop them), the economic feedback loop can't be subverted. So the government has begun borrowing enormous amounts in order to satisfy the demands of the mob. Specifically, the federal government is now spending $3.5 trillion a year. Income taxes only raise $1.1 trillion a year. Thus, even if you doubled income taxes, we'd still run a deficit every year.
My friends... that's pure insanity. That's why every time there's a committee of one kind or another that's tasked with solving our government's giant fiscal problems, it always comes back with nothing. No one in Washington wants to admit how much trouble we're in. There's no way to fix the system. The hole is far, far too deep.
No government can survive long when it spends more than twice what it collects in tax revenue. Not even when it holds the world's reserve currency and has the world's most powerful armed forces. Just ask the Romans.
Yes, I know, the feds also collect about $250 billion in corporate taxes, but that doesn't change the math in any material way. And yes, I know all about the payroll taxes that support Medicare and Social Security. But you can't count those funds against the current spending because all that money ought to be going toward the future obligations of those programs.
The problem is that our political process – where the masses are allowed to vote themselves nearly unlimited benefits – masks the underlying economics. While any given individual might not have to suffer these burdens, everyone lives within the same economic sphere. We, as a nation, have a limited amount of economic power. We have a limited amount of opportunity. We have a limited amount of credit (believe it or not). And right now, the government is taking up a huge amount of these economic assets, an amount that can't possibly be sustained.
We are now spending $6.3 trillion a year on government at every level. That's $55,000 per household in the U.S. In other words, if we all paid equally for the burden of government on a per-household basis, the average household would owe the government more than 100% of what it brings in.
Obviously, if everyone had to pay these taxes... if everyone had to share equally in the burden of the government... then none of this spending would have happened. None of these debts would have accrued. And we would have never ended up in this position.
Politics masks these costs for the individual, who believes he won't have to pay. He thinks he can simply vote... and make people like me pay. But what he doesn't understand – and never will – is that the politics can't change economics.
Our economy can't afford our government. Our economy can't afford these debts – or even the debt service at any legitimate interest rate.
At some point very soon, this economic reality will overwhelm the political charade.
That's why I don't vote.
Regards,
Porter Stansberry
Friday, October 7, 2016
Them's The Brakes! (BONUS TIP: How I Loosened A Bolt)
Today was the day for brand new rear brakes on the old 2002 Buick Rendezvous.
I won't go through the whole thing step-by-step since there are excellent videos on YouTube that you can watch before you try a brake job, but I can assure you, if you are patient and resourceful you can tackle the project with only moderate effort.
As you can see, there was nothing left on the old brake pad. (foreground) I can't remember the date of the last rear brake job but obviously it was awhile ago. Last time I was at my mechanic (Jack's Central Auto) they said I needed back brakes. I knew the rotors would likely be damaged by the worn pads but the rotors were badly rusted so I knew I'd be replacing them anyway. The rear brakes do last longer than the fronts because they do less work, but eventually they do wear out.
Removing the rear wheel is the easy part. This reveals the hydraulic brake unit consisting of the rotor and the caliper which squeezes the rotor and thereby stops the car. Always use axle stands along with your jack and as an extra precaution I always throw the wheel under the car just in case.
With all the heat generated by the brakes and the water that gets splashed up from winter's sallty puddles, the brakes get very corroded, so the bolts are hard to turn and the mechanisms can seize up and malfunction. Undoing the bolts is a major challenge. In this case, one of the two passenger side sliding pins in the caliper was impossibly seized and broke when I tried to undo it. Another $75 was needed for a new caliper assembly.
Here's how I dealt with a bolt that was in an awkward place and would not budge. I cut a piece of tubing to fit under the wrench and then removed the axle stand and let the jack down slowly to use the weight of the car to loosen the bolt. Clever huh? I'm smarter than I look! Ha ha! Worked like a charm. Be sure you know which way to push the wrench to loosen, not tighten.
New pads and rotors (both rear wheels) from an on-line supplier for about $80. One new passenger-side caliper assembly for another $80 with tax and I probably saved at least $400-600. I don't mind paying Jack's Central to repair stuff that I can't do but I hate to spend my money on jobs that I can finish with moderate effort. I'd rather put the cash towards a cruise. Hmmm!
Ready for another trip to somewhere in my 15 year old classic or on another ship somewhere.
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Thursday, October 6, 2016
Cleanup Day with a U-Haul Trailer.
Our rather large yard with lots of vegetation creates its own problems when it comes to getting rid of the waste. Then there's my ongoing projects that also create waste that usually can't be put out at the curb for the garbage man.
The only two options we have is to either illegally burn it or take it to an authorized recycler and pay to dispose of it. Today we decided on the latter since the old rail ties that came from my wall project last year contain all kinds of heavy metal contaminants like arsenic and copper compounds that really should not be burned. Also I had the old roof shingles from the pool-house and they should not be burned.
My good son Tim helped load the heavy stuff into the trailer and the shingles in blue boxes in the back of the van.
We paid for about 3/4 of a ton of waste and it came to under $90.
Recycling is big business but it gripes me that the government makes them collect HST on waste. You'd think they'd be happy people were recycling and not getting rid of it illegally.
It's quite a mechanized endevour. Sorting and reducing the many different types of waste.
Fortunately "brush" can go to our municipal landfill site and they do not charge a fee for disposing of it. I guess they are just glad I brought it to them and they didn't have to pick it up at the curb. Since we had the trailer for 6 hours anyway, we made two more free trips to the dump with brush and had the U-Haul trailer back before 3pm for about $35 with tax and insurance.
Why pay somebody else to do work for you and then pay a Gym to go and work out? Hmmm!
Good job well done!
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