Tag / Elvis

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Travelling The 50 States – Missouri

Over my 48 years, I’ve done my fair share of travelling across these United States.  I thought it would be an interesting experiment go look back at those trips to each of the 31 states I have visited (62% isn’t bad, is it?) and see if, and when, I may be returning.  Working in alphabetical order, we continue today with the 24th state to be added to the Union: Missouri

State: Missouri
Joined the Union: 1821
Visits: 23

Despite being right next door, I’ve only made two visits to the Show Me State, first in 2001 and then again in 2018.

My first trip occurred in June of 2001, where a weekday day game between the Cardinals and the Cubs convinced my friend Pete and I to take a road trip.  Standing room tickets were all that was available, so we stood with the riff raff to watch the Cubs defeat the hometown Cardinals 5-2, despite Todd Dunwoody getting the start in right field over Sammy Sosa.

My second trip across the Illinois border came in 2015 while heading to Memphis for an Elvis-themed trip.  On the way to Memphis, we made a brief stop in Sikeston, Missouri for lunch at Lambert’s Cafe, where they throw dinner rolls at you, and so Michael could cross another state off his list.

My most recent visit came on my birthday weekend in 2018, when I headed down to St. Louis, with the rest of the family, for an exciting marching band competition.  After spending most of the day at the former home of the Rams, we found a late-night diner to celebrate birthdays alongside a population of drunks looking for Halloween fun.  Sunday morning breakfast, across the street from the Chess Hall of Fame, ended the trip before a long drive home.

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Travelling The 50 States – Mississippi

Over my 48 years, I’ve done my fair share of travelling across these United States.  I thought it would be an interesting experiment go look back at those trips to each of the 31 states I have visited (62% isn’t bad, is it?) and see if, and when, I may be returning.  Working in alphabetical order, we continue today with the 20th state to be added to the Union: Mississippi

State: Mississippi
Joined the Union: 1817
Visits: 1

I made my lone visit to the Magnolia State in 2015 as part of an Elvis-themed road trip.

 

During a road trip to see the sights related to the life of Elvis Presley, our group of intrepid travelers arrived in Tupelo, Mississippi on a Sunday night.  The next morning started with a trip to the former Tupelo Hardware Store, a present-day Ace Hardware, where Elvis purchased his first guitar as an 11-year-old in 1946.  From there, we headed to the two-room house where Elvis was born and lived until his family moved to Memphis in search of a better life in 1948.  That site also contained the Assembly of God church, where the Presley clan worshipped while living in Tupelo.  After that. we headed back north, away from Mississippi.

Will I return?  I don’t see any compelling reason for me to touch down in Mississippi a second time.

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Elvis Has Entered The Building

Elvis Night is coming early to Guaranteed Rate Field this year.  With Tim Anderson, Danny Mendick, and Leury Garcia all on the IL, the White Sox are signing free agent shortstop Elvis Andrus.  Andrus, who was released by the A’s on Wednesday, cleared waivers and is expected to join the team on Friday in Cleveland.

Andrus, who turns 34 on the. 26th, which just so happens to be Elvis Night on the South Side, is hitting .237 with 8 home runs and 30 RBIs this season.  The two-time All Star, who spent the first 12 seasons of his career with the Rangers before being traded to Oakland in February 2021, is a career .270 hitter with 87 homers and 703 RBIs in 1,904 career games.  Prior to his release, Andrus was playing out the final season of an eight-year, $120 million contract, but the White Sox will only owe him the prorated league minimum for the remainder of the season.

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Travelling The 50 States – Arkansas

Over my 47 years, I’ve done my fair share of travelling across these United States.  I thought it would be an interesting experiment go look back at those trips to each of the 31 states I have visited (62% isn’t bad, is it?) and see if, and when, I may be returning.  Working in alphabetical order, we start today with the 25th state to be added to the Union: Arkansas.

State: Arkansas
Joined the Union: 1836
Visits: 1

My one brief visit to Arkansas was part of a bigger, Elvis-themed road trip back in 2015.  On the way from Memphis to Tupelo, Mississippi, we detoured through Arkansas for a delightful dinner at a local favorite known as Cracker Barrel.  And that was it.

Will I return?  Honestly, I can’t see why unless, like this trip, it is on the way to somewhere else.

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Top 200 Albums: #11 – 20

itunes_imageWe last counted down the Top 200 albums in my iTunes library four years ago. Since that time, the world has literally changed, and my commute has decreased from 1+ hours each way to 25 steps. So, despite the decrease in potential listening time, I figured it was time to take another look, based on number of plays from late 2007 through the morning of January 1, 2022.

It is our penultimate look at the albums I have listened to the most over the last 15 years. including three compilations, two comedy albums, two greatest hits collections, and a bootleg live performance.

#20: AC/DC – The Razors Edge
iTunes stats: 283 plays
Previous Ranking: 12

An eight-spot drop in the rankings, most likely thanks to a pandemic-shortened 2020 baseball season without crowds and the subsequent lack of playing my White Sox playlists.

#19: Various Artists – TV’s Greatest Hits, Vol. 7: Cable Ready
iTunes stats: 289 plays
Previous Ranking: 16

A 98-play increase for this collection of TV theme songs from shows like Mad About You, Saved By The Bell, and Blossom, among others.

#17: The Monkees – The Monkees Greatest Hits
iTunes stats: 292 plays
Previous Ranking: 18

19 different tracks from the made-for-TV band, which is now down to just Mickey Dolenz following Michael Nesmith’s December death, saw a nearly 65% increase in listens over the past four years.

#17: Patton Oswalt– Feelin’ Kinda Patton
iTunes stats: 292 plays
Previous Ranking: 20

The first comedy album from Patton Oswalt sees an impressive 73% increase, which would be significantly higher if I were to ever sync my old iPhone 4s again.

#16: Elvis Presley – Elv1s 30 #1 Hits
iTunes stats: 312 plays
Previous Ranking: 15

This greatest hits package from the King of Rock & Roll uses 14 tracks to add an additional 119 listens over the past four years.

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Top 200 Albums: #101 – 107

We last counted down the Top 200 albums in my iTunes library four years ago. Since that time, the world has literally changed, and my commute has decreased from 1+ hours each way to 25 steps. So, despite the decrease in potential listening time, I figured it was time to take another look, based on number of plays from late 2007 through the morning of January 1, 2022.

We wrap up the first half of the countdown today with the next batch of ten albums that I have listened to the most over the last 15 years, breaking the triple digit total play plateau with three compilations, and music from the 60s, 80s, 90s, and beyond.

#107: Elvis Presley – 2nd To None
iTunes stats: 110 plays
Previous Ranking: 103

The second collection of Elvis’ top hits, released in 2003, saw a 59% increase to the five songs out of 30 that are in my collection.

#107: Various Artists – On The Edge
iTunes stats: 110 plays
Previous Ranking: 129

This compilation, featuring 80s alternative hits from the likes of The Smiths, Love & Rockets, and Michael Penn, used five different tunes to generate 52 new plays over the past four years.

#107: Various Artists – Rock N’ Roll Era: 1958
iTunes stats: 101 plays
Previous Ranking: 109

A 69% increase in plays over the past four years for this edition of the Time Life series, featuring songs by The Big Bopper, The Monotones, and Little Richard, among others.

#107: Various Artists – Billboard Top Rock & Roll Hits: 1970
iTunes stats: 110 plays
Previous Ranking: 127

This compilation of the biggest hits of 1970 by bands that would allow themselves to be on such a compilation, like Ides of March or the Partridge Family, added 51 new plays to the seven tunes in my collection.

#106: Various Artists – WSCR 670 The Score
iTunes stats: 111 plays
Previous Ranking: N/A

Typically, I exclude this collection of sports highlights from the 2008 White Sox, but, to be honest, I forgot until I was far enough along for it to screw up my pacing, so here you go.

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Fitbit VII – Week 27

A step back in the wrong direction this week.  Things got off to a slow start on Sunday, as I managed a mere 3600 steps.  Monday was slightly better, as I finished 5 steps shy of 4300.   Tuesday fell off even more, as I finished with only 3300 steps.  Wednesday was the low point of the week, as I just eked past 3000 steps.  Thursday was a little better, jumping back up to 3800 steps.  Friday saw a big jump, up to 6000 steps, thanks to Elvis night at the old ballyard.  A return trip to Guaranteed Rate Field on Saturday left me 8 steps shy of 6600.

Total steps: 30,759

Daily average: 4394.1

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iTunes Top 200 Artists: #11-20

It’s been 4 years since we last counted down the Top 200 artists in my iTunes library.  Since my iTunes stats are still intact, across multiple PCs, iPods, iPads, and iPhones, I figured it was time to take another look at the artists that have entertained me the most based on number of plays from late 2007 through January 1, 2021.

We continue today with the next batch of 10 artists, zooming into the 400 and 500 listen territory with reckless abandon.

#20: Nirvana
iTunes stats: 374 plays
Previous ranking: #20

The 7 time Grammy nominees, and one time winner, stay even on the charts thanks to 163 new listens.

#19: The Lonely Island
iTunes stats: 375 plays
Previous ranking: #14

The comedy troupe sees a 5 spot drop after increasing their listens by a scant 38%.

#18: R.E.M.
iTunes stats: 388 plays
Previous ranking: #22

The 2007 inductees into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nearly doubled their plays over the past 4 years, enabling them to jump 4 spots.

#17: Bon Jovi
iTunes stats: 391 plays
Previous ranking: #19

The boys from New Jersey have racked up 177 new listens to raise 2 slots in the rankings.

#16: Elvis Presley
iTunes stats: 300 plays
Previous ranking: #26

The King of Rock & Roll adds 173 plays to his total from 4 years ago and leaps 10 spots in the rankings.

#15: Alanis Morissette
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iTunes Top 200: #60 – 68

itunes_image4 years ago, we last counted down the Top 200 songs in my iTunes library. Since my iTunes stats are still intact, across multiple PCs, iPods, iPads, and iPhones, I figured it was time to take another look at my most listened to songs, based on number of plays as of January 1, 2020.

Today, we wrap up the final three songs with 37 plays and move on to the first group of songs with 38 plays, according to my iTunes stats dating back to late 2007.

#68: Cracker – Teen Angst (What The World Needs Now)
iTunes stats: 37 plays, most recently on 9/4/2019
Previous ranking: #141

A nice increase in the rankings, thanks to a more than doubling of its listens, for this entry which charted at number 1 on the US Modern Rock Tracks, arguably breaking Cracker into the mainstream.

#68: Concrete Blonde – Joey
iTunes stats: 37 plays, most recently on 10/26/2019
Previous ranking: Unranked

A strong debut for the band’s biggest hit, which spent four weeks atop the Modern Rock Tracks chart and hit #19 on the Billboard Hot 100.

#68: Britney Spears – Toxic
iTunes stats: 37 plays, most recently on 10/25/2019
Previous ranking: Unranked

A strong debut for the song that earned Spears her only Grammy award, for Best Dance Recording.

#60: Taylor Swift – Bad Blood
iTunes stats: 38 plays, most recently on 12/12/2019
Previous ranking: Unranked

An impressive debut for one of Anthony Rizzo’s walkup songs, earning it a place on my Cubs victory playlist.

#60: Garfunkel and Oates – Handjob, Blandjob, I Don’t Understand Job
iTunes stats: 38 plays, most recently on 10/26/2019
Previous ranking: #96

A big jump for the comedy duo’s tune about never learning how to use their hands for foreplay during high school.

#60: Foo Fighters – Everlong
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200 Things To Do In Illinois – Superman

Illinois celebrated its bicentennial as a state in December of 2018.  To celebrate, the Chicago Tribune published the Bicentennial Bucket List: 200 Things To Do In Illinois, celebrating the best the state has to offer in history, food, architecture, culture, sports, nature, drink, and oddities.  With the state shutting down tonight due to the corona virus outbreak, I figured this was the second-best time to look through this collection and cover the ones I’ve done/eaten/seen.

We kick things off with one of the entries from the Oddities category: Superman, from Metropolis, IL.

DC Comics proclaimed this small town with a big statue the official home of Superman in 1972, and Metropolis isn’t about to let you forget it.  A 15-foot-tall bronze Man of Steel overlooks Superman Square, where you’ll also find the Super Museum packed with toys and props, amassed by Superman super fan Jim Hambrick.  This town on the banks of the Ohio River – from here, you can practically throw a chunk of Kryptonite into Kentucky – hosts an annual four-day Superman Celebration.

My one trip to Metropolis occurred in 2015, as part of a Mother’s Day Elvis trip.  On our way home from Tupelo, Mississippi, we decided to make a detour towards Metropolis, IL to see the symbolic home of Superman and, at least according to the travel guide we picked up at a rest station along the way, the world’s largest Dippin’ Dots store.  Sadly, the Dippin’ Dots store had closed and was replaced by a gift shop filled with DC merchandise and a cooler in the corner that did supply said Dippin’ Dots.  In the center of town, we found the giant Superman statue and posed for pictures.  We decided against going through the museum, which was probably the correct call.