Jeffrey Scott’s – Best of his Blogs 2011

As some of you are probably aware, I run not one, not two, but three blogs. Back in the day I only had one blog, but suddenly felt it was getting confusing with all my Health and Fitness posts mixed with my Science Fiction post. So I decided to launch a separate blog dedicated solely to Fitness. This left the other blog for everything else. However during the next few months I started to do more Doctor Who episode reviews. Because of that, any blog postings of my photography, poetry or other writings quickly got buried. So, I decided to split my blog once more. But I digress - As I did last year I've decided to create a cross-over blog. This will post on all three sites and highlight various postings of each. If you like what you see, please leave a comment.

January
Tegan - V - A reboot.... or something else? (Part 1)
Earlier in the year, my thoughts on the now cancelled series.
Carrot Sticks – Biggest Loser Rewind - S11E01
I start blogging recaps of Biggest Loser Season 11

February
Tegan - Dr. Who (The Early Years) - Part 20 "The Wheel In Space"
Introduction of companion Zoe.
Carrot Sticks – Fitness Product Review
I review one of the Weight Watchers 'Smart Ones' meals.
Jeffrey Scott – Jeffrey Scott's Coffee Klatch
I try my hand at writing a variety blog series.

March
Tegan - The Adventures of Quisp
Just to do something different, I did a cereal review.
Carrot Sticks – A-Z Fitness - Zeal
The year before I started a fitness series. This was the final one.

April
Tegan – L.I.N.D.A. spots the Doctor at the Royal Wedding
The Doctor attends the Royal Wedding.
Carrot Sticks - Why Did Rulon Walk Off The Show?
A Biggest Loser Tirade
Jeffrey Scott - And Then…
I attempt a less comical poem.

May
Tegan – Dr. Who (The Early Years) - Part 33 "The Third Doctor In Review"
Having concluded my reviews of the 3rd Doctor, I give an over-view.
Carrot Sticks – When Jillian Leaves
A poem I wrote dedicated to Jillian
Jeffrey Scott - Bond Live at the Royal Albert Hall
I review the Live DVD.

June
Tegan - Doctor Who Graduation
My niece has a graduation with a Doctor Who theme.
Carrot Sticks – Top 15 Ways To Tell You've Joined A Bad Gym
A few reasons to hate fitness gyms.
Jeffrey Scott - Mitchell Park Domes - Tropical Domes
A photographic set I did of flowers and such.

July
Tegan – Dr. Who (The Early Years) - "And Now A Word From Our Sponsor"
Back in the 70's they were giving away Dr. Who themed prizes in cereal.
Jeffrey Scott - Bristol Renaissance Faire
Photos from my trip back in time.

August
Carrot Sticks - Reasons I'm Disappointed in My Fitness Gym
Another article on the state of gyms. My personal dislikes.
Jeffrey Scott - My Toys As A Writer
Photos of my personal writing devices.

September
Tegan – The Omega Men – Part 1 of 4
A short story I wrote based on Dr.Who and a podcast.
Carrot Sticks – Biggest Loser 12 - Battle of the Ages
A new season of Biggest Loser, here are the contestants.
Jeffrey Scott - Procrastination
A Song Parody I wrote.

October
Tegan – Dr. Who (The Early Years) - Part 51 "The Fourth Doctor In Review"
Having finished 4th Doctor reviews, here's a quick recap.
Jeffrey Scott - Martha Berner: Recording of Brew City Bands

November
Tegan – Sun Boy Explores the 21st Century
I turn a few screenshots from DC Universe Online into a short story.
Carrot Sticks – Biggest Loser S12E09 - What Kind of School Do You Teach?
One of my reviews from Biggest Loser

December
Tegan - Chicago Tardis - Costume Collection (The Companions)
Chicago Tardis Photos
Carrot Sticks – Biggest Loser S12E13 - And the Biggest Loser Is....
A review of the final episode of Biggest Loser Season 13.
Jeffrey Scott - CD Review: Diana Krall - "Steppin Out"
Hoping this'll be a new monthly, musical series.

Keep in mind, this isn't everything from all three blogs, rather, just a sampling. If you enjoy each, why not subscribe and follow? You’re bound to find something you like sooner or later. ;)
Jeffrey Scott

CD Review: Diana Krall - "Steppin Out"

I really only discovered jazz in the late 80's. At the time, it was a new genre for me and I didn't immediately take to it. Oh, I liked it, though initially I was introduced to Spyro Gyra and that was all I had to go on. But my musical tastes were just beginning to mature. I found a local jazz station, listened for a while and loved what I heard. It wasn't long before I was looking for CD's from some of the artists I heard. Diana Krall was one such artist. How could I go wrong? She's beautiful and I loved her music. Though 'Steppin Out' was not my first Krall CD, I imagine I would have fallen in love with her music just as much with this CD as any other. Starting off, the first track is 'This Can't Be Love'. The song is fast paced enough to pull you right in and her piano is excellent. As an additional bonus, the bass is awesome and drums can't be beat. (That was a drumming joke for you).

The second track is 'Straighten Up and Fly Right', a Nat King Cole song. Of course I didn't know that at first, you see my jazz knowledge was, is - still growing. In fact, to be honest, there are probably a lot of songs I'm unfamiliar with. But as I continue to grow in my jazz exposure, I'm sure to identify more and more. But I digress, I apologize.

'I'm Just A Lucky So and So' is another great song if you are into the faster paced songs. But if you are not, you'll appreciate the much slower 'Body and Soul'. A perfect song to sit back in a relaxing chair, drink in hand, and just meditate on the music. '42nd Street' starts off slowly as well, but picks up nicely. Mind you, I'm not saying there is anything wrong with slower songs, I just have to be in the right mood for it. Towards the end of the song, it mellows out once more which leads nicely into 'Do Nothin Till You Hear From Me', another great sassy song Diana performs well.

Other great instrumental songs are 'Big Foot' and 'Jimmie'. As we approach the end of the CD, we are treated to 'Frim Fram Sauce', another great playful song. Anyone familiar with Nat King Cole will surely recognize it. The CD is rounded out at the end with 'As Long As I Live'. A great song, and one that will only leaving you wanting more of Diana Krall. Never fear, she has many CD's to choose from.

Conclusion: If you like jazz, be it vocal or instrumental, this is the CD for you. Maybe not the best of her CD's, but then again who am I to judge? It's Diana's first CD and as such, a very rewarding listen. I highly encourage you to pick this up.


Other CD Notes:
Vocals, Piano: Diana Krall
Bass: John Clayton
Drums: Jeff Hamilton

Recording Dates: October 18, 19 1992

Autumn Leaf

Oh autumn leaf
in your splendour grand.
Your life is short
but very precious.
You bring colour to my
life in your darkest hour.
With brilliant shades of
green, gold, red & brown.
In the height of your
glory I do awe.
Then down, down, down,
the end of your existence.

J.A.Scott
Originally published 03/18/09

Martha Berner - Recording of Brew City Bands

Martha Berner performing solo for Brew City Bands.

This was the first time I heard Martha's music. Really liked what I heard.

Martha not only plays the guitar but the harmonica too. She's very talented.

You can tell she really puts her heart and soul into her music.

I was able to take a quick candid photo before the interview.

Cindy Huber interviewing Martha for Brew City Bands.

If you'd like to learn more about Martha Berner, find her here: Martha Berner

Also look for my review of 'Fools Fantasy', her excellent new CD.

Poetry – What Do You Enjoy?

I was recently asked what sort of poetry is the best. It's an interesting question, but kind of like asking what sort of food is the best. Not an easy thing to do when you can enjoy a wide variety. And like food, some poetry can be liked by one person, and despised by another. Perhaps the better question would have been, what are my favourite varieties of poetry and why? And what are a few examples? Well, I'm glad you asked.


Standard Poetry
This is the type of poetry most people think of. It's a simply written, rhyming piece; such as the following.

Trees
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast.
A tree that looks at God all day
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
- Joyce Kilmer


Descriptive Poetry
Poems can also express how one is feeling at any given moment. Rita, a character from the film 'Groundhog Day' was disgusted by Phil's egotism and gluttony. She found the best way to describe her feeling by quoting partially from "Breathes There The Man". Read the following excerpt and see if you can tell how Rita feels.

Breathes There The Man
...
The wretch, concentred all in self,
Living, shall forfeit fair renown,
And, doubly dying, shall go down
To the vile dust from whence he sprung,
Unwept, unhonored, and unsung.
- Sir Walter Scott


Humorous Poetry
Sometimes poets just wants to make you smile or laugh. If you think about it, a lot of Dr. Seuss's books are written in a poetic style. Or take the 'Owl Critic' by James Thomas Fields. Surely, it stresses a point, but funny none-the-less. When I was much younger and first started writing poetry I did so to be funny. Following is one I wrote, it's a poem parody. Can you guess the poem it parodies?

Bees
I think that I shall never see
an insect lovely as a bee.
A bee whose hungry mouth is pressed
against honey, second rate at best.
A bee that can’t see all day
because to many eyes are in the way.
A bee that may in summer wear
A risky yellow – people stare.
Upon whose belly honey has lain
and sticks to windows on the train.
Parodies are made by fools like me
but only honey comes form the bee.
- J.A.Scott


Making A Point
When I first started taking poetry seriously, it was in High School when we were required to read and comment on what different poems meant. This poem quickly became a favorite as I always felt invisible to everyone else. Almost as if she were writing directly to me.

I'm Nobody!
I'm nobody! Who are you?
Are you nobody, too?
Then there's a pair of us - don't tell!
They'd banish us, you know.
How dreary to be somebody!
How public, like a frog
To tell your name the livelong day
To an admiring bog!
- Emily Dickinson



Embracing the Dark Side
I'm a person who has always embraced my emotions, both positive and negative. So reading some thought provoking or ominous poems can be enjoyable. Many have heard of the Raven by Edgar Allan Poe, it's one I quite enjoy. Death is a part of life, and Poe captures the imagery of such quite fantastically. It's certainly worth a read. In my endeavour to be a well rounded writer, I've tried my own hand at writing poems of a darker nature. I've included one I recently did.

And Then…
It was a quiet and lonely night
As I closed my eyes in thought
Feeling the rush of wind on my face
And then I was scared no more
I was calm and my body went limp
Remembering the joy of youth
All was safe and I was happy
And then I remembered school
I was awkward and dysfunctional
But my friends were just as much
We were ready to take the world
And then I remembered Melinda
Had an embarrassing crush on her
She was my love and desire
But it was false and unrequited
And then I remembered Mary
Our wedding was delightful
Found someone who wanted me
Willing to give her all I could
And then realized it was a scam
And then I remembered all the fights
And then I remembered when she left
And then I remembered what I had done
And then I hit the ground
- J.A. Scott


So what do you think is the best poetry? Ooops, sorry. What varieties of poetry do you like, and which are you partial to?

Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
- Lewis Carroll

Procrastination (A Song Parody)

Sung to the tune of -
Anticipation by Carly Simon

♫We can never dwell on things undone
But we think about them anyway.
And I wonder if I'd do them any how
Or just put it off for another day♪

♫Procrastination, Procrastination
Is makin' me........♪


..... want to do this later.
Sorry everyone. I'll finish this tomorrow.

Milwaukee - Set 4 (General Mitchell Int'l Airport)...

A panoramic view of General Mitchell Int'l Airport.

The airports control tower.

Inside the main airport terminal are many shops and restaurants.

This is essentially a 'quick mart', selling magazines, souvenirs, candy and gum.

Another necessity when traveling, alcohol and dinner.

If you are passing through Milwaukee, this is a great place to find something to read on your flight.

When you are in Milwaukee, you can't pass up an opportunity to pick up some Harley Davidson merchandise.

Milwaukee - Set 3 (General Mitchell Int'l Airport)

Good morning Milwaukee!

It's never too early for a flight.

It's true, flying can be dangerous.

But not always.

This plane is flying into Milwaukee. Welcome!

Milwaukee - Set 2 (Artistic Downtown Area)

US Bank Building, (formerly Firstar Tower)

Northwestern Mutual panoramic.

Calatrava (Milwaukee Art Museum)

US Bank Building at the end of a day.

Goodnight Milwaukee!

Milwaukee - Set 1 (Riverwalk and Older TV Shows)

Looking out over Milwaukee.

Rock Bottom on the Riverwalk.

Remember Fonzie from the Happy Days TV show? He helps look over Milwaukee's Riverwalk.

Pabst Theater - Downtown Milwaukee

Can you figure out where I took this shot of Milwaukee's City Hall?

A better view of Milwaukee's City Hall. Those not from Milwaukee might remember seeing it in the opening credits of Laverne & Shirley (if you remember that show).

Chicago - Set 3 (Around Chicago)

Welcome to the Subway. Come on down.

Some of the trains run above ground and around the great city of Chicago.

Here is a bit of the support, keeping the tracks operational.

A platform for train use. Not sure who it's exactly designed for though. If you know, feel free to let me know.

I have a thing for abandoned buildings. This is in no way a reflection of Chicago.

I'll send a quarter to anyone who can tell me where this photo was taken. Just send a self-addressed stamped envelope to claim your prize.

I've finally come to the end of my Chicago set. Do not pass go, do not collect two hundred dollars.

Chicago - Set 2 (From Above & People)