From student to mentor, Albert’s own style of blues would shape and enhance the next generation of players. From Jeff Healey, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Debbie Davies to Gary Moore, Coco Montoya, and Joanna Connor…they all shared their love of the music and the stage with Albert Collins. But Albert insisted, “I learned from the young people…I listened. When you stop listening that’s when you’re in trouble.” It’s been said the Blues are best shared, like a form of communication, storytelling with rhythm and emotion…blues is a feeling. To paraphrase the Iceman, “when you play you try to get other people to see how you feel. If they can’t feel you, ain’t no sense in playing.” Albert would have turned 94 this year.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

For a bluesman, Albert Collins was different. Some attribute it to his jazz influenced, Texas upbringing while others simply credit his ‘legendary’ family members. Then, there are those who seem to think it was his unique guitar-tuning or that dynamic style of finger-picking that set him apart. Most blues fans, including yours truly would probably check the box; all of the above. My only caveat would be to add Albert’s tremendous sense of humor then attach a guitar chord long enough to stretch through a crowded club, out to the street and around the corner enabling the aforementioned Mr. Collins to order a pizza and return to the stage without dropping a note or missing a riff from the song he was performing. Yes, Albert Collins was different…different with extra freaking anchovies.

In 1990, after anchoring a star-studded, high-octane performance at the Long Beach Blues Festival, Mr. Collins stepped off stage to talk about his blues, his road and his life as ‘Master of the Telecaster.’ Our conversation began with Albert’s earliest musical influences… “Well from my raisin’ up man,” he smiles, “I was around jazz musicians a lot in Texas…and also blues musicians. But we mostly had horn players, like big band sounds out of Texas. That was a little bit different, you know?’

Collins connecting with his audience. Photo: Mike Meadows

Blues ran through Albert’s family, including a famous cousin…“Lightnin’ Hopkins!” He finishes my sentence. “I learned a lot from him growin’ up. My next one was John Lee Hooker from acoustic guitar. Then after I left acoustic guitar… I had Guitar Slim (Eddie Jones), T-Bone Walker and B.B. of course, they were my favorite’s man. I always listened to their music but I never wanted to play like them, though. I always wanted my own style, you know? I used to play their records and listen to them.”

How does it feel when younger players come up to you now and say the same thing? “I love that, you know? At least I’m leaving something here when I’m gone, huh? Yeah… I enjoy that man, really. Because you know, I don’t play with a pick, and a lot of people say man, ‘How do you play your guitar without a pick?'”

That can be a little hard on strings? “I usually break three or four ’em,” he admits. “I don’t play with a pick man; I have to pull hard, man that’s why I have to tell people to turn my amp up. All set on 10, trying to find 12! (laughing) And the way I tune is different. I start out with standard tuning and I change from that to try to have my own style that’s the reason why… it’s a minor tuning that I have. A minor, D minor whatever you want to call it.”

Albert’s finger-picking style combined with the minor tuning he learned from another cousin, Willow Young, helped shape Collins’ distinctive cool sound. And for Albert, less was sometimes more. “You know before ‘wah-wah’ came out,” he told me, “I was doing ‘wah-wah’ with my hand… before ‘wah-wah’ hit the streets. A lot of people use electronics, but I don’t care nothin’ about it.”

As the picture is snapped, Albert says, ‘Act like you’re rich!’ I laughed.
Photo: Mike Meadows

Just off the stage, I mentioned that some of those ‘younger’ players seemed to enjoy working with you as well… like harp player, Juke Logan. “Yeah, Brother Juke. We worked together a lot in the middle 70’s. His band used to back me up, you know? He’s a very good friend.”

And guitarist, Coco Montoya? “He played drums for me for four years. He’s a drummer and I taught him how to play guitar, you know? He plays!”

How about Debbie Davies? “Oh, she can play. I didn’t teach her, she does her thing. She holds on. I’m glad for her, it keeps me going. I met her when she was with Maggie Mayall when they were called Maggie Mayall and the Cadillacs. We go all over the world together.”

Earlier this month, American blues player and former Icebreaker, Debbie Davies recalled that initial meeting… “I first met Albert when he came to a small club that Coco and I were playing. At the time, Coco and I were each touring with the Mayall’s and booked our own little bar gigs when we were both in town. It was the Coco Montoya Band. He (Albert) said he really dug my playing that night, and then he sat in with us and blew that little club away! After that we formed a friendship… me, Coco and Albert and his wife, Gwen… then Debbie adds, “We would go to their place for Bar-B-Q’s… and Gwen’s secret punch!”

As fate would have it, timing was everything, “The Cadillacs broke up” Davies said, “about six months before I got asked to join the Icebreakers.”

‘Frosty’

In 1964 Collins returned to the recording studio… Albert remembered it well. “I got with the Big Bopper (J.P. Richardson), you remember ‘Chantilly Lace?’ I went down to Big Bopper Enterprises” he said. “After he got killed in an airplane crash, with Buddy Holly and all of them… I was the only black artist on that label in Beaumont, Texas. And I stuck with ’em for years, man.”

That was Hall-Clement Publishing Company and Hall-Way Records? “Yeah, Jack Clement… Bill Hall and ‘Cowboy’ Jack Clement were the main people. You know, ‘Runnin’ Bear?’ Johnny Preston.”

Albert’s Beaumont session would produce his first major hit,’Frosty!‘ “I was glad that ‘Frosty’ came to be a million seller,” he smiles. “That was a good thing and I enjoyed that one. During the early 60’s I was doing instrumentals, I never thought I was a singer, you know? I like to play behind good singing, I would never call myself no singer, you know?”

I had heard rumors that Johnny Winter was at the studio when you recorded that song and Collins starts nodding, “…and Janis was there when I cut ‘Frosty,’ when she was 15 years old.”

Years later, Albert would work a number of gigs with another young Texas bluesman, Stevie Ray Vaughan. “Oh yeah,” Albert says, “Toronto, Canada and New Orleans, Austin and Dallas… Antone’s.” (Vaughan had been killed in a helicopter crash just a few weeks before this interview.) With thoughts of what could have been, Albert just shakes his head. “Yes, it’s one of those things, man. I hate to talk about it, man. I ain’t got over it yet.”

That thought was universal.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Otis Rush and Albert Collins on stage – Long Beach, CA. Photo: Mike Meadows

The Road

You still live in L.A.? “I lived here for 17 years, I just moved out of Southern California. I live in Vegas.” Up near B.B. King? “He’s the one that caused me to move over there, yeah.”

Didn’t you just get back from overseas? “I just got through with a big tour in Europe with Gary Moore.” Albert smiles and adds, “Got a gold album… it was nice.”

Icebreaker guitarist, Debbie Davies was also a part of that tour and remembers, “we performed in London at the Towne and Country Theater with Gary Moore sitting in as our guest.” Davies said, “I was pretty blown away playing back on forth on stage with Albert and Gary Moore! Back stage Gary was the nicest, most polite cat. I remember that more than one of the reporters that night had the last name Davies! ha ha!!”

In 1990, Albert was still touring constantly and was philosophical about life on the road… “You know, ‘on the road’ is what you make of it. Like a marriage, if you don’t take care of yourself, the road is hard to you.” Albert turns serious. “See, I’ve never been on drugs in my life, that’s what I tell all these kids. You don’t need drugs, man. I use to drink, I quit drinking. Now, I quit smoking. So I’m in good shape, I’m gonna’ hang around and see you all grow up.”

I know the crowd today was happy to see you; they were on their feet when you came to the stage. “I love it, man. You know I’ve seen the blues go up and down in the early 60’s and late 70’s and I hope it’s here to stay, man. I hope so.”

If your reception today is any indication, there’s little doubt about that. “Thank you. I’m going to try to hang on, too. No accidents, man.”

You’ve recorded a number of songs that make your fans laugh…for instance, ‘I Ain’t Drunk…‘ “Johnny Nitro had that tune,” Albert laughs, “and I decided to cut it over again. It’s a lot of humor, man.”

Let’s talk a little about the future of blues and some of the other young players today. Do you know Joanna Connor? “Yeah, we did a show with her,” Albert tells me, “she lives in Chicago. She can play, man. She used to be with A.C. Reed, that’s where I first met her. Man, I let her and Debbie hang out one night in Chicago…man, that was a sight to see, them two ladies playin.’ I’ve got her album, ‘BELIEVE IT‘ in my bus now. She can play; plays a lot of Rock, too.”

When asked about that specific night in Chicago, Debbie Davies told me, “I remember that night in Chicago, too. Joanna had just released her first CD for Blind Pig Records. ‘Believe It!‘ She and her band opened for us. Two female electric blues players in one evening was really rare… and crazy to be seen back then! We probably all jammed out at the end… I don’t recall.” Davies continued, “But Jo and I of course, became pals! We saw each other a lot back in the day. When I left Albert and went out on my own, I also recorded my first CD for Blind Pig Records.”

“There were three of us on the scene back then, me, Joanna and Sue Foley. I saw Joanna a lot at festivals, we both were playing. We always had a great hang. I love that gal! She’s down! The last years she hasn’t been on the road as much with her kids and all. I know she still plays all the time in Chicago.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Turning the tables, Albert starts asking me questions, “You hip to Jeff Healey?” I nod and Albert, always the keen eye for talent says, “I tried to take him on the road with me man, and the people wouldn’t let me bring him out of Canada. (laughing) “He’s got that movie out (Roadhouse) and got it together, now.”

Tell me about the rowdiest club you ever played? “Oh man! I was in a club in Texas one time. The club owner had…” Albert pauses and points, “our microphone was here and he was making an announcement that we were going to be back the next night… and a man got up from the table and shot another guy! And the bullet went through this guy and hit the club owner in the stomach. And when I seen that I started runnin’ (laughing) and I just pulled my amp and everything (laughing) out the door. That’s the only big one I ever had to run away from. I had to run off the bandstand.”

Can you describe Albert Collins’ blues? “Well, like from when the parents raise their kids, it comes from that, man.” He takes a breath, “Your bringing up, the hardships you went through, you know? The things I went through, I didn’t go through a lot of hardships like a lot of people have went through from the Deep South. I’m not from the Deep South, but I’m from the South but not the Deep South, and they had it a little bit harder than me. I never went hungry, but I know the feeling and I had a feeling for other people. And that’s what you play as you try to get the other people to see how you feel. And if they can’t feel you, ain’t no sense in playing.” Albert continues. “Just like you go to church and the man gives you a message, and if he don’t give you no message, well you just lost today. Rather stay at home and listen to spiritual music. It’s like they say, a child will always lead you and I’ve come to find through the years that I’ve been a grown man, some kids have lead me. I’ve listened. I learned more from 1968 than I learned in a lifetime when I first came to the West Coast… from the young people. When you stop listening that’s when you’re in trouble. I’m serious.”

Debbie Davies spent several years touring and performing with Albert Collins and she graciously shared her insights and a few memories. “It’s funny,” she said. “People always ask me if I learned to play from Albert… but of course not. He wouldn’t have hired me if I wasn’t already able to play! What I learned from Albert is how to have grace under fire. He went through a lot ya know? Comin’ up before civil rights… touring during segregation… I still saw some crazy stuff come down in the South. But he was able to be so kind to everyone and was truly a generous man. He kept his Bible on the dashboard of the bus, and tried to treat people like the book suggested. Not that we didn’t all party like crazy… the ’80’s ya’ know! But make no mistake, if push came to shove, Albert could take on anyone if the situation came to that. He was the true definition of a “sensitive tough.”

We lost Albert Collins to cancer less than four years after this original conversation on November 24th, 1993. Fortunately for music fans around the world he left us one of his greatest and most enduring gifts; his blues.

Last Call: I would be remiss if I didn’t thank Debbie Davies for taking the time from her busy touring schedule to share memories. As one of Albert’s friends and a former Icebreaker, her perspective truly personalized both the man and his music. For that, I can’t thank her enough.

Be sure to catch Davies live at a club or venue near you. You can check out her tour schedule at www.debbiedavies.com. Or pick up her latest release, Debbie Davies – Retrospective – The CD. Either way you can’t go wrong.

This original article was published April 2017

The post Remembering Albert Collins  (1932-1993) appeared first on Traveling Boy.

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Ralph of San Francisco, CA

Survivor

Please move on to the jokes if you don’t want to ponder. (Tired and sleepy as I write this)

Relaxing after a long week, flipping through a list of boring channels, I stopped at an old familiar addiction — the Survivor TV series. The scene was the Tribal Council — where the emotions ran high as the contestants justified their backstabbing to the jury of their peers. Many shows have come and gone but this live-action drama series has been around since May 31, 2000 and its 51st season just started this week. The million dollar prize to the lone survivor is still the same.

SHORT CHANGED

A million back in 2000 is actually worth $1.9 million today. That means these adventure seekers of today are battling for the buying power of just about half of the first season … yet there is still a waiting list of contestants. Why? Money isn’t the only perk. Many of the losers proclaimed they joined for the adventure … to discover who they are and what they are made of. It’s therapeutic.

I met one of the crew members in church a while back. He was isolated from the world along with the contestants for more than 39 days. People don’t realize how much planning goes behind the scenes. (Did I tell you, I have relatives who own beach houses not too far away from some of those barren islands? Growing up, our ships used to pass those islands.)

Would I want to subject myself to the heat, the cold, the mosquitoes, the back-biting, the starvation for a million dollars? Are you kidding? Of course I would … NOT!!! Well, maybe in my younger years I would have.

Now if they come up with a “Survivors Senior Edition: Outlast, Outplay, Drop Dead,” maybe then I’d consider it. Wouldn’t that be fun? Old people with wrinkled tattoos running in their flabby underwear, checking their blood pressure before a physical challenge; jumping over hoops with their oxygen tanks; playing chess instead of solving puzzles; going through a maze without their glasses; shouting their instructions because everyone is deaf; fence-fighting with their canes; and eating without their dentures.

Kidding aside, the show is a microcosm of our real “game of life.” Just like the contestants, we are born in different circumstances and exposed to different opportunities. Some of us blame, give up early and pout in isolation while others face challenges head on. Alliances and friendships are developed, deeper relationships turn romantic and families are born. It’s the circle of life.

It’s fascinating how Survivor breaks the stereotypes. The good-looking ones aren’t as attractive without their makeup. The “uglies” have beautiful compassionate souls. The athletes have more than just muscles. The strategists are untrusthworthy opportunists. The homosexuals are tough as nails. The “gorillas” are playful chimpanzees … and they cry. Indeed, the show teaches us not to judge the books by their covers.

One big beautiful difference? In Survivor only one person gets the grand prize whereas in life, everyone has the opportunity to get to heaven. And it isn’t based on social status, gender, race or any of these trivial things. It isn’t even about how many “brownie points” one has accumulated in one’s lifetime. It’s based on grace and one’s faith in Christ.

But this is just me. TGIF people!

Quotes of the Week

“The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth.”

— African Proverb

“I didn’t win; I just outlasted everyone else’s bad luck!”

— Anonymous

“Today’s win was brought to you by caffeine and a sprinkle of audacity!”

— Anonymous

“Winning isn’t just about crossing the finish line first; it’s also about crossing it with a funny victory pose.”

— Anonymous

“Winning may not solve all your problems, but it sure does make them funnier.”

— Anonymous

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

— Esther 4:14

“For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”

— Deuteronomy 20:4

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

— 2 Timothy 4: 7

Memes of the Week

Send me your jokes & memes so I can share them with the rest of our TGIF family. This week, we thank Jason of Eagle Rock, Drake of LA, CA, Donovan of Ireland, and Debra of La Habra.

I collaborated with my friend and jokester,Terry Cassel for these below.

SUBSCRIBE

The post Silent Weakness appeared first on Traveling Boy.

ASK MISTER ROBOT is Traveling Boy’s Q & A about a variety of topics that keep people awake at night. The answers come from Mr. Robot, an AI model, who scours the internet for answers. Don’t take his answers like gospel truth, rather consider his answers as an educated opinion. We welcome your questions and invite you to join in the conversation.

What if the most dangerous thing about artificial intelligence isn’t that it can get things wrong, but that it can sound so convincing when it does?

That question emerged from a simple conversation with Mr. Robot.

I began by asking whether the Clinton Foundation still exists. The answer was straightforward. Then I asked whether Chelsea Clinton received $8 million for her wedding. Again, I received a confident answer.

But then I asked about something more controversial: Was Barack Obama’s birth certificate posted on the White House website a fake?

Mr. Robot gave me the conventional answer: no, Hawaii had authenticated the underlying record.

But I wasn’t asking only what the authorities said. I pointed out something I had personally observed in the document: the PDF contained multiple digital layers.

Mr Robot initially explained the discrepancy away. When I challenged the reasoning, however, it acknowledged something important: the layers were real. What remained disputed was what those layers actually demonstrated.

That distinction changed the conversation.

The Problem Isn’t Always the Facts

This is where the issue of bias becomes much more interesting.

An AI can truthfully say, “I base my answer on facts, evidence and science.” But where do those facts come from? What sources are represented? Which sources receive greater weight? Which interpretations are considered credible? And what happens when the prevailing consensus is wrong?

History gives us plenty of reasons to be cautious.

Imagine asking an intelligent machine centuries ago whether the Earth moves around the Sun. If that machine had access primarily to the prevailing authorities of its time, it might have concluded that Galileo was mistaken.

Or imagine asking it about evolution during Darwin’s era. The answer would have reflected the scientific and cultural understanding available at that particular moment.

The lesson isn’t that experts are useless or that consensus is always wrong.

The lesson is more subtle:

Consensus is evidence. It is not proof.

Galileo Wasn’t Wrong Because He Was Outnumbered

Scientific progress often begins with someone challenging an assumption that everyone else has become comfortable accepting.

That doesn’t mean every dissenter is a Galileo. Most unconventional ideas are wrong. Conspiracy theories aren’t automatically true simply because they’re unpopular.

But neither should an idea be dismissed merely because it conflicts with the prevailing narrative.

The real question should be:

What does the evidence actually show?

And just as importantly:

What evidence would prove us wrong?

Those two questions are surprisingly powerful.

The Clinton Test

The same principle applies to politics.

Consider Bill Clinton’s famous statement that he had experimented with marijuana but “didn’t inhale.”

A careful examination separates what is known from what is merely claimed. Clinton admitted using marijuana. He later said that he had tried to inhale but couldn’t.

We can establish that he used marijuana because he said so himself. But whether he actually inhaled is something the public record cannot independently establish with certainty.

That’s a small example, but it illustrates an important principle:

A person’s statement is evidence. It isn’t automatically the truth simply because the person said it.

And that standard should apply equally to politicians we like and politicians we dislike.

The Same Standard Must Apply to Trump

The Russia controversy presents an even more complicated example.

The Steele dossier contained serious allegations about Donald Trump and Russia. But saying that the dossier existed is not the same as saying that its allegations were proven.

At the same time, rejecting the dossier doesn’t mean nothing happened. Russian interference in the 2016 election was established independently of the dossier, and there were documented contacts between people associated with the Trump campaign and Russian-linked individuals.

Again, the responsible position isn’t necessarily the most politically convenient one.

It’s the one that distinguishes:

• What is established.
• What is strongly supported.
• What is disputed.
• What is merely alleged.
• And what is speculation.

The AI Problem

This is where artificial intelligence presents a unique challenge.

• An AI doesn’t have to be deliberately programmed to favor one political ideology to produce biased answers.
• It can inherit biases from its training material.
• It can reflect the assumptions of the institutions that produce information.
• It can learn that certain claims are commonly associated with “misinformation” and become overly skeptical of them.
• It can give greater weight to sources that are considered authoritative while giving insufficient consideration to dissenting evidence.
• And perhaps most importantly, it can confuse consensus with truth.

The result is particularly dangerous because AI doesn’t usually sound uncertain.

It can produce a polished, articulate explanation that gives the impression that the matter is settled—even when the underlying evidence is considerably more complicated.

Don’t Replace One Authority With Another

This doesn’t mean we should stop trusting science, journalists, historians, government records, universities or experts.

It means we should stop treating any of them as infallible.

And that includes artificial intelligence.

An AI should be a research partner, not an oracle.

When an answer matters, we should ask:

• What is the primary evidence?
• What are the strongest arguments on the other side?
• Are the sources independent of one another?
• What assumptions are being made?
• Is this fact, inference or speculation?
• How confident should we actually be?
• What evidence would change the conclusion?

Those questions don’t guarantee that we’ll arrive at the truth.

But they make it considerably harder to fool ourselves.

The Most Important Question

Perhaps the most revealing question isn’t:

“Is AI biased?”

Of course it can be.

The better question is:

“Can AI recognize when it might be wrong—and will it tell us?”

And perhaps an even better question applies to all of us:

Are we willing to change our minds when the evidence demands it?

Because the danger isn’t simply that an AI might give us the wrong answer.

The greater danger is that we might accept an answer simply because it sounds authoritative.

History reminds us that the majority can be wrong.

Science reminds us that consensus can change.

Politics reminds us that people have incentives to tell us what they want us to believe.

And AI reminds us of something new:

A machine can package all of those human assumptions into an answer that sounds remarkably certain.

So don’t take AI’s word for it.

Ask for the evidence. Examine the reasoning. Challenge the assumptions. And make up your own mind.

The post Don’t Take AI’s Word for It appeared first on Traveling Boy.

SNAPSHOT OF SLOVENIA

Located in Central Europe at the crossroads of where east meets west, the Balkan nation of Slovenia (pop: 2,007,711) was once part of the former Yugoslavia and now a member of the European Union. Bordering Italy, the Adriatic Sea, Croatia, Hungary and Austria, this little nation half the size of Switzerland seemingly offers the best of each of the surrounding countries. Three major geographic regions also meet in Slovenia — you can go hiking on forested alpine mountain trails, swimming in the warm Adriatic Sea or go vineyard hopping in the central plateau — all in one day. Of the seven nations of the former Yugoslavia, Slovenia has the highest income economy and feels more Germanic than Slavic, yet its citizens are stylish, easy going and proponents of Italian la dolce vita.

LIVING LARGE IN LJUBLJANA

The capital city of Ljubljana (pronounced lyoob-lyee-AH-nah) is nestled in the middle of the country, and is the cultural, political and administrative center of Slovenia. With a population of 270,000 inhabitants, it maintains the friendliness of a small town, yet possesses all the characteristics of a metropolis with national museums, world-class architecture and historic center.

The 12th century Ljubljana Castle rests on top of a hill, towering over the old town, much like the layout in neighboring Salzburg. The summit of the hill was once a Roman army stronghold and has been continuously inhabited since 1200 BC. The Ljubljana River cuts through the historic center’s cobblestone streets, surrounded by the 20th century architecture of Jože Plenik, who placed his own Art Nouveau influenced signature on his native city. He designed the National Library, as well as several bridges, including the famous Triple Bridge, A popular local meeting place is Prešeren Square, named after France Prešeren (1800-1849), considered the Slovene national poet, whose works include the lyrics to the Slovenian national anthem.

Although there is much to see and do in the city center — and the Ljubljana Castle with its 360 cityscape vistas is the first place you must explore — this is a city where one can just stroll and bask in the ambiance. The city itself is a living museum. The Ljubljana River is lined with cafes, restaurants, little wine bars and a vibrant outdoor market. Sit back and let this sublime city take hold of your senses. Soon you will be as calm as the Ljubljana River.

BEYOND LJUBLJANA

Ljubljana makes an easy home base for exploring Slovenia’s other treasures. Lake Bled, home to The Church of the Assumption on the Island and the medieval Bled Castle, is Slovenia’s leading mountain resort. Marshal Tito himself had a resort villa built overlooking the lake. Vintgar Gorge is located a few minutes by car from Bled, and offers a mile long forested nature walk of boardwalks and bridges, crossing over several waterfalls. The Karst region, an hour from Ljubljana and close to the Italian border, features an amazing network of caves and underground rivers.

WHAT TO EAT

Italians lead the tourist pack to Slovenia, with the activity of choice being none other than sampling the regional cuisine. A third of Slovenia is forested, and wild game and mushrooms play significant roles at the table. So does prust, an air-cured ham similar to prosciutto. Ajvar, an eggplant and bell pepper condiment; and strukliji, dumplings stuffed with cheese or vegetables, are also staples. For desert try ptica, a rolled pastry with walnuts. And while in Bled, the Bled cream cake is an essential ending to any meal. Pizza, pasta, sausages, schnitzels, strudels and sauerkraut are also found in abundance, but prepared with a uniquely Slovenian interpretation.

Slovenia is a nation of wine. Ljubljana is in the center of the various Slovenian wine regions, and is known for being the ‘city of wine and vine.’ Grapevines were first planted on the slopes leading up to the Castle by the Romans. For a non-alcoholic refreshment, have a Cockta — a Slovenian version of a Coke, introduced during the communist era when the sought after American soft drink was unavailable.

HOW TO GET AROUND

Once on the continent, a smart (and green) way to travel is by obtaining a Eurail Pass. Formerly known as Eurorail, this convenient and cost effective way to travel is making a huge comeback due to the return popularity of train travel. You can meander throughout Europe in as many countries and amount of days that that you desire, with virtually no restrictions. Eurail.com

For further information about travel to Slovenia, Ljubljana and Bled, visit Slovenia.info; VisitLjubljana.si; Bled.si/en

This article was originally published in 2008

The post Smart & Stylish Slovenia: Backdoor to Europe appeared first on Traveling Boy.

Thanks to Garie of Manila, Philippines

Raoul’s 2 Cents. September 18, 2026

Repair Nightmare

Please move on to the jokes if you don’t want to ponder.

These past few weeks have been a Repair Nightmare for me. My computer broke down; so my old programs had to be reinstalled and some of them were no longer compatible with my new operating system — so I had to search for alternative programs and learn how to use them; then my colored monitor lost its red and everything looked blue and green; my cell phone stopped ringing and I missed several calls; then my car tires began to wobble; then my clock radio died; (and while all these were happening, I was suddenly flooded with work). Sanity was hanging by a thread.

And here’s a big one: the spring of my garage door snapped and I’ve been trying to fix that baby for 2 days now. I was a repairman by day and computer geek by night. Hardly slept. The repairman asked for $900 and I haggled it all the way down to $650. I told him I’d fix it myself. If you read my article about fixing my garage door remote, you’ll understand my confidence. Big mistake? Maybe. The jury’s still out because I have one more day to make a complete idiot of myself before a professional will have to step in.

Thanks to YouTube University, I learned a lot about the wonderful world of garage door repairs. I know the cheapest place to buy the parts, the tools you need and the procedure to uninstall and reinstall this marvelous piece of 21st century headache. Total cost is just over $100. So why have I not yet fixed my garage door? Because I’m stupid. Why? I tried to do shortcuts when YouTube videos already warned me not to do so. It’s true. We men never read the instructions.

EXHAUSTED

What I didn’t expect was how out of shape I am. Climbing up and down the ladder, bending down to pick up my tools and tightening the overhead industrial-strength garage spring was the real killer. It was like pumping iron in the gym. By the end of the first day, I was completely spent. I could barely walk. I couldn’t even cook dinner. I was forced to eat dry leftovers — or die! I was parched and I talked like Brando the Godfather even without the cotton balls in my mouth.

CONCLUSION

As always, I try to find lessons in life. What is God teaching me now? The lesson here is “relevance.” When work overcomes us, it’s easy to lose our patience — but the silver lining is to realize that without us, some things would never get done (or at least done properly). Without me, my wife would spend a fortune to fix the garage.

When the coach places Michael Jordan in the game during the last few minutes, it’s because he is the only one who can make that final shot. When parents over-extend themselves and burn the midnight oil, it’s because no one can take care of their families better than they can. When your boss calls you in the middle of your vacation, it’s because he can rely on nobody but you. In many instances God prepares us “for such a time as this.” You are important.

I know of someone who retired and was depressed because he missed his co-workers and there was nothing to look forward to. He was no longer relevant. He shot himself … not realizing how much he was loved by friends and family.

I know a few people who looked forward to retirement so they could travel and spend more time with their family. The traveling bug quickly came and went. And families … well, most of the time grown-up children have their own lives already and (sadly) we are not part of that. There’s a reason why entrepreneurs like Joe Coulombe (Trader Joe’s) and Dave Gold (99 Cents Only Stores) came out of their retirement and started brand new businesses. They loved the challenge. They wanted to be relevant again.

So do I enjoy fixing the garage and my desk job? Actually, I do. I really do.

TGIF people!

ADDENDUM: I was finally able to fix the garage door this morning. None of the Youtube videos explained how to balance both sides of the door but I figured it out myself. One needs to loosen the cables on both sides and make sure they are equally taut and the door should be flat down on the ground before tightening the springs. I had to use observation and logic to see my mistake. DIYs rule!

Oh another thing to remember: my garage spring was a “Wayne Dalton” TorqueMaster Plus — which was designed for DYI people. The other (older) garage door torsion springs are pushed by the “professional” repairmen because they carry the spare parts and are harder to install — which is good for their business. So it you have a Wayne Dalton, don’t believe them when they say their torsion spring system is better.

And since we’re talking shop, you can figure out what spring part to purchase by looking at the label on the horizontal bar. Purchase both left and right parts in Amazon from Door-Parts. AI can help you figure out the pair. Just give it one part number and it will find the match. 7-day shipping is free but a 2-day rush is $20.

Quotes of the Week

“You must add value to yourself to be relevant ”

— Sunday Adelaja

“Being unforgettable means being known for what matters, by the people who matter, so your work, your ideas, and your impact become undeniable.”

— Kinga Bali

“You have to bring relevance to people before teaching them the ways of Christ.”

— Sunday Adelaja

“Relevance isn’t about constantly running to stay ahead. It’s about adapting with purpose, knowing when to learn, when to lead, and when to let your strengths do the talking.”

— Janani Srikanth

“The main purpose of a church is to bring relevance to people and make sure everyone discovers their calling”

— Sunday Adelaja

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

— Esther 4:14

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

— 1 Peter 2:9

“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

— Philippians 1:9-11

Memes of the Week

Send me your jokes & memes so I can share them with the rest of our TGIF family. This week, we thank Norm of Encino CA, Drake of LA, CA, Doug of La Habra, CA, and Dan of Philadelphia.

I found these:

I collaborated with my friend and jokester,Terry Cassel for these below.

SUBSCRIBE

The post Left and Right Brain appeared first on Traveling Boy.

On the day of our slow bicycle tour, the Willy Street area of Madison, Wisconsin, was a global place. We went from East Asia to Ethiopia and then returned to an upstairs Ayurvedic paradise where chai became mandatory.

But that last stop was just me. I freeloaded the chai after the others had already left.

People say never give away the whole thing, the whole story, but with Madison Eats Food Tours, the reveal is necessary. The tour guide met us at Garver Feed Mill and supplied e-bikes, those rentals one now sees in various urban areas. Then he mapped out our journey. It would take three hours, slowly riding through various neighborhoods, parks, greenery, bike trails and urban side-streets, with just a handful of stops in-between for food. An amazing concept, one that certainly existed in other cities, but Madison was a place characterized by miles and miles of bicycle trails. Outdoorsy vibes already seemed to occupy everyone’s psyche. So it was perfect.

As a bicycle enthusiast, I recommend these folks. And I recommend the eastern part of Madison, where residents kept telling the college kids on the other side of town, well, you don’t know what you’re missing out here. It’s true.

In itself, Garver Feed Mill was a masterpiece of historic preservation. Formerly a multistory sugar mill, the turn-of-the-century complex was now transformed and filled up with numerous businesses. I saw bars, lounges, play areas and stages, plus an atrium, a few patios and other groovy configurations. My spy-scope immediately went to Kosa Spa, an award-winning Ayurvedic retreat, which occupied an upper-level spot. But that would come later.

Our bike food tour started at one particular spot in Garver Feed Mill, a place called Roll Play. Tons of board games filled the shelves. Families cycled in, out and through. Some kind of corporate team-building activity was set to unfold. Skewers of meat and rice arrived just for us, followed up with an amazing cup of boba tea. A great way to start.

Then we hit the trails. We rode at a steady, comfortable speed through parts of the Willy Street neighborhood. Willy was short for Williamson. Everyone called it Willy Street. We learned about historic preservation, parks, lakes and residential architecture, even though this was a food tour.

The next stop was Buraka, a Black-owned business in a similar neighborhood, not too far away from where the police shot Corey Ruiz, a killing that vaulted the corner of Willy and Baldwin to the national stage. Buraka was a bar and a restaurant. That is, DJs and Ethiopian food. Yet another amazing place. The owner brought over a traditional spread of Ethiopian digs on Injera bread. The whole plate was insanely spicy in all the right ways.

Then came the beer. An anonymous source joked that nine of the ten drunkest idiots in the country were from Madison, Wisconsin. I didn’t question the claim. Beer shirts were ubiquitous. By the time we pulled our bikes up to Starkweather Brewing, I realized another 100 beer-swilling places were available, but this one was right on our path. Even the root beer was delicious. It tasted homemade.

And what would a leisurely bike tour be without ice cream at the conclusion? Back at Garver Feed Mill, Calliope Ice Cream, another ravishing indie business, supplied whatever we chose. It was all part of the tour.

Foodie tours are especially intriguing for those with a fixation on ingredients. At Garver Feed Mill, one only had to navigate a beautifully crafted staircase to the upper-level catwalk, past the wedding photographer and the yoga studio, right to Kosa Spa. It was like ascending to a higher realm of consciousness.

In the same way I used to walk through liquor stores as a teenager, staring at all the exotic flavors that would take me away from the suffering of life, I now found solace in spa environments, even if they weren’t intended for me personally. I often stared at the products, especially if they were designed for those of us with the Vata type of Ayurvedic mind-body constitution. I once obsessively drank Vata tea, referring to it as “the elixir for a destroyed nervous system.”

The bike tour was now over. The others had gone, and they would probably consider me some woo-woo California pinko for waxing poetic about Vata tea, so I was now in the promised land at Kosa Spa. The lady at the counter gave me a tour, after which I vowed to return.

And when I did return, the very next morning, I walked out with two containers of tea, ashwaganda golden milk and masala chai. The lady behind the counter, the same lady, then spent five minutes discussing with me the various ways to brew the tea, steep it, strain it, and everything else. I think we both learned something.

I vowed to return again, not just to Kosa, but to Madison itself.

The post The Willy Street Global Eats Food Tour appeared first on Traveling Boy.

Ringo follows a strict vegetarian diet and refuses to eat anything made from cow’s milk, as the molecules are so big and that a goat’s is much smaller.

How to Make It:

Two slices of toasted bread or toast. A combination of soft, spreadable goat cheese (chèvre) and hard goat cheddar.

Starr doesn’t say that his ideal sandwich must be limited to a single kind of goat cheese, and in his re-creation, he chooses a soft, spreadable chèvre and a firm, grazeable goat’s milk cheddar.

He toasts two slices of bread in a pan until golden brown on both sides. (You can toast the bread in butter, but if you want to stay true to Starr’s preference for no cow products, a plant-based margarine would work well.) He then spreads a thick layer of chèvre on one slice, grates a generous amount of the firm goat cheese over it, and finishes the sandwich with the other piece of toast.

“I love an elaborate sandwich piled high with toppings, but I also love a simple grilled cheese – and I see no reason I can’t make one with tangy, rich chèvre. I also appreciate niche food preferences.”

Ringo Starr’s unique sandwich rationale has earned a permanent place in James Beard’s repertoire of “weird” recipes.

Watch a short demonstration on how to prepare Ringo Starr’s favorite goat cheese sandwich:Ringo Starr’s Favorite Sandwich!

The Beatles and Vegetarianism

What Beatles were Vegetarians?

All four members of The Beatles practiced vegetarianism at various points in their lives, though only three became committed, long-term vegetarians.

Paul McCartney became a strict vegetarian in the mid-1970s alongside his late wife, Linda, and remained a prominent advocate for animal rights. Paul McCartney has been a vegetarian since 1975.

McCartney and his first wife, Linda, made the choice while relaxing at their 151-acre ranch near Tucson, Arizona. They watched lambs playing outside the window while eating a meal that included lamb chops, noticing the direct connection between the living animal and the food on their plates. He follows a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet, meaning no meat and fish, but still eats dairy and eggs.

He frequently works with groups like PETA to speak out against factory farming. He once said, “If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be vegetarian.”

In 2009, he and his daughters launched a global campaign to encourage people to skip meat one day a week to help the planet.

George Harrison focused on a vegetarian lifestyle in 1966, influenced by his exploration of Indian culture and Hinduism, sticking with it for the rest of his life.

His diet was heavily influenced by his embrace of Hinduism and Eastern philosophy.

He connected deeply with ‘ahimsa,’ the Indian principle of non-violence toward all living things.

He often stated that killing animals for food was unnatural, unhealthy, and created bad karma.

Ringo Starr embraced a meat-free diet later on for health and ethical reasons, adopting it more consistently in his later life. He stopped eating meat in 1965 after witnessing a bullfight in Spain.

He generally eats broccoli with almost every meal and starts his mornings with a bowl of blueberries. He is not vegan and, as stated above, consumes goat cheese, though he avoids dairy products from cows.

John Lennon experimented with vegetarianism briefly on and off starting around 1967 (often leaning toward a macrobiotic diet that occasionally included fish), making him the only member who never fully committed to a permanent vegetarian lifestyle. John Lennon was not permanently a vegetarian, though he experimented with vegetarian and macrobiotic diets for much of his later life.

Alongside Yoko Ono, he largely followed a macrobiotic diet focused on whole grains, rice, and vegetables, which occasionally permits eating fish (pescatarian elements).

He never fully committed to lifelong vegetarianism; he regularly lapsed back into eating meat, fast food and junk food or a full English breakfast when it suited him.

The post Home Food: Ringo Starr’s Favorite Sandwich appeared first on Traveling Boy.

Thanks to Jun of New Jersey for sending this joke.

Raoul’s 2 Cents. September 11, 2026

Imagineering

Please move on to the jokes if you don’t want to ponder.

This week I worked on an article (you can see it here at TravelingBoy.com) about a famous Imagineering artist named Sam McKim. I never knew the artist’s name but I recognized his style in several books and movies released by Walt Disney. Boy, did this project take me back to my childhood.

When I was a scrawny kid in the Philippines, there was a classified ad section in the Manila Times called “American Leaving.” It was code for bargain hunters that an American family was moving away and they were selling their stuff. It’s similar to the Estate Sale signs we see here in America. My family would buy second hand goodies like books, magazines, toys, vacuum cleaners, etc. One particular item that I treasured was a colorful Disneyland pamphlet that announced the upcoming Tomorrowland, Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion. I was mesmerized by the artwork of Sam McKim. How did this artist create this dreamworld? What medium did he use? Oils? Watercolor? And how did he get the perspectives accurately? Was there a team behind this? How did he decide what colors to use? For a kid who only drew stick figures, Sam was an artist god. At that point, I prayed for an impossible wish to visit Disneyland and see this fantasy land for myself.

I read countless books and watched videos of Walt Disney and his imagineering team. I drew their characters in my sketch books. I sang their songs. I wanted to be an imagineer. I wanted to learn animation. By some miracle, I wound up studying in Washington DC … on the East coast! Nobody taught animation on the East coast of America! So near and yet so far.

But my wish to go to Disneyland would come true when Bernie, one of my best friends, needed to take a road trip from Washington DC to Los Angeles and asked me to come along. No one warned me of the long lines but that was fine. I enjoyed watching all these excited people. So many people from all over the world lining up in the heat. Mickey Mouse and the other mascots brought smiles to everyone they met. It was indeed the happiest place in the world. Decades later, I moved here to California and my Mom and Dad treated my family to another Disneyland trip and I shared the wonder from the eyes of my children.

When I was looking for a job in my early years in CA, I saw a Disney ad in the LA Times beckoning artists who wanted to be imagineers. I applied but I never got a response. My training was in desktop publishing and graphic design (illustration was strictly a hobby) so the “no response” was expected. I had seen the videos of Walt Disney brainstorming with his imagineers so I was disappointed that I didn’t get an interview just to see the inner workings of Disneyland.

Around that time, my young son was taking violin lessons. Somehow my wife mentioned to his teacher that I was interested in working for Disney. The teacher happened to be the niece of one of the imagineers and that led to my actually going for an interview in the Disney studio. Such was the power of an imagineer. The interviewer looked at my portfolio and showed me around during the lunch break. There were rows and rows of cubicles. The Hunchback of Notre Dame was just released and I could see color swatches of violets and greens and sketches of the characters. (That was pretty wild!) The interviewer said he was looking for someone who drew the “Disney-way.” We both knew that wasn’t me. And that was that. Didn’t get the job but I was more than satisfied.

Later I found out that Disney paid minimum wages. It was the law of supply and demand at work — Disney knew people were willing to work there for the adventure and not for the money. Sad but true. So I was glad I didn’t get the job after all.

Side comment: I may not have ever worked for Disney but my daughter is living my dream. She specializes in foley — background sounds for animations. She and her team won an Emmy for the Netflix TV series Arcane last year. You think I’m proud of her? You bet I am!

Back to the present. Richard (the author of the TravelingBoy article) told me he lived directly across the street from Sam McKim. He said Sam was a good friend. Often, film crews from all over (including far-off Paris and Japan) would come for an interview. If Sam were still alive, Richard said he would have easily arranged an interview through Sam. (Oh, woudn’t that have been the thrill of a lifetime.)

Today is the anniversary of the horrific attack of 9-11. Like you, my heart grieves for all those lives that were rudely interrupted by evil. Yet here we stand in the land of the free (so far). Sure, we have major problems. Sure, we have enemies who have come to destroy our lifestyle. And we can be obsessed with the politics but let’s not lose sight of the blessings and who provides those blessings. We serve a loving God who remembers our childhood prayers long after we have forgotten them. And He has many more gifts for us if we remain faithful. Funny how a piece of artwork (just like old music favorites) rekindles childhood memories and reminds us of blessings we take for granted.

TGIF people!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” — Joshua 29:11

Quotes of the Week

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”

— Walt Disney

“Movies can and do have tremendous influence in shaping young lives in the realm of entertainment towards the ideals and objectives of normal adulthood.”

— Walt Disney

“All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me… You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you..”

— Walt Disney

“When you’re curious, you find lots of interesting things to do.”

— Walt Disney

“There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.”

— Walt Disney

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

— Proverbs 22:6

“People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.'”

— Matthew 10: 13-16

“Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.”

— Proverbs 17:6

Memes of the Week

Send me your jokes & memes so I can share them with the rest of our TGIF family. This week, we thank Norm of Encino CA, Jason of Eagle Rock, CA, Donovan of Ireland, Debra of La Habra, CA and John of Connecticut.

I found these:

I collaborated with my friend and jokester,Terry Cassel for these below.

SUBSCRIBE

The post Two More Truths appeared first on Traveling Boy.

I grew up eating meatballs – but this was not due to having a grandmother hailing from Italy. On the contrary, it was the result of having a Danish/Swedish grandmother on my mother’s side of the family. My Grandmother Stave had a knack for making anything taste good. I’m sure this had something to do with raising six kids during the height of the Great Depression.

Her specialty was comfort food. She could make the cheapest roast from the market as tender as butter. Her secret was to bake and baste for sometimes up to 24 hours. Her mashed potatoes were a thing of wonder; fortunately a culinary gift that was passed on to my mother – of course, doesn’t everyone’s mother make the best mashed potatoes. My favorite dish of hers, though, was her meatballs – a legacy handled down to her from her Danish ancestors.

A Bite of History

The meatball is an iconic food item known throughout the world. The ancient Roman cookbook Apicius included many meatball-type recipes, but today they are known in Italy as polpette. In Greece, fried meatballs are called keftédes, usually served over rice; while in Indonesia, meatballs are referred to as bakso, used in soup. The other Scandinavian versions in Norway (gehaktbal) and Sweden (köttbullar) are most often made with beef.

My grandmother’s meatballs, known in Denmark as Frikadeller, are made with pork, generally served with mashed potatoes and gravy (which my grandmother referred to as ‘the goodness.’) I was in comfort food heaven long before the term existed. On a trip to Copenhagen, I couldn’t wait to sample this sublime but simple dish on its home ground. And sample I did; having them with mashed potatoes, sliced on open-faced bread (smørrebrød), and even carrying a bag around as a snack. Now I know why the Danes are reportedly the happiest people on the globe.

Frikadeller are typically fried, and made out of ground pork, onions, eggs, salt and pepper. They are then formed into balls and flattened somewhat, so they are pan ready.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground pork
• 1 slice bread soaked in 1/4 c. milk
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. sage
• 1/4 tsp. all spice
• 1/8 tsp. onion salt

• Chop the onion into fine pieces, and mix meat and onions together.
• Add egg and mix again.
• Add flower, and remaining ingredients.
• Form mix into 6-8 balls.
• Melt butter on frying pan.
• 10 min. on each side medium heat.

Frikadeller can also be served with boiled skinned potatoes with brown gravy, or with cold potato salad.

God appetit!

The post Danish Meatballs: Frikadeller appeared first on Traveling Boy.

QUESTION 1: What are some of the “things” or activities that the people of Monaco do for fun?

ANSWER: Sea rowing and a meal at the Monaco Yacht Club – even if you are not a member – by eating at the rowing club’s café, which is in the same building. Observatory Cave – in the Exotic Garden, 100 m above sea-level, at the foot of the cliff, there is an underground cavity adapted for visits. And Condamine Market – a daily morning market, located at Place d’Armes near the Port Hercule. It’s a colorful Provençal market and center of Monégasque life with local specialties to sample or buy such as barbajuans. The open-air market features fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers, and the covered market offers butchery, fishmonger, bakery, etc.

QUESTION 2: What’s one thing the public probably does NOT know about Monaco?

ANSWER: Ecole Bleue – diving school for children by free diving world’s champion Pierre Frolla. Considered as an international reference in the field of children’s diving, the Ecole Bleue offers a full range of courses and training sessions, dedicated to exploration, respect and protection of the underwater world.

QUESTION 3: Share some aspect of Monaco as regards to what it has contributed to the world.

Crepe Suzette at Le Café de Paris. Fifteen year old Henri Charpentier, an assistant waiter, was called upon to serve crepes (a French invention) for a special dinner party, hosted by the Prince of Monaco. The crepes were precooked in the kitchen with the dish completed by heating them in a sauce made from orange peel, sugar, and a combination of liqueurs in a chaffing dish in front of the guests. Unexpectedly, the alcohol caught fire, thus flambéing the sauce and serendipitously creating a new taste sensation. The guests were delighted. The Prince of Monaco asked Charpentier what he planned to call his new creation. Charpentier offered “Crepes Princesse.” But the Prince, in honor of his guests’ young daughter, asked if he would name them Crepes Suzette, and hence, a classic was born.

The post Monaco appeared first on Traveling Boy.