let’s go party at some warehouse November 25, 2008

Here I sit, two days later, hands across the keyboard, I glance in fond memory at the faded outline of a rabbit stamp, black ink filling the tiny creases of my winter dry hands.  Perhaps I’m a dirty kid, perhaps the ink too potent– but I am pleased, pleased with the stain and pleased to reflect happenings of the Rabbit Party.    

Saturday marked what I understand to be the second release of the Rabbit magazine– a floppy collection of emerging art, prose and poetry on the Nashville scene. Though I should have worn my fur coat (mink a strong suit to the theme of the evening), much fun was had, the Rabbit party a grand success and perhaps Dirty Eye Booking’s largest production to date. 

Around the corner from the Dirty Eye Warehouse, we rolled through the industrial district of Germantown and approached a warehouse not unlike all the battered ones around it. I was tickled  to find a sea of vehicles parked in the overgrown urban prairies surrounding the building, scattered groups of people huddled, rushing up the rocky drive to the Neuhoff Warehouse.  

Once inside and cleared the black curtain, I made rounds…

1. beers (Yazoo and Magic Hat at $2 a glass ain’t a bad deal)
2. art (a warm white corner collection with mini pen and inks to large scale installations)
3. photographer (will try to find link asap)
4. graffiti wall (though we used Crayolas instead of Krylon)

In addition to these diversions the Rabbit hosted a string of great bands. I caught a minute of The Janissary, most of Mother/Father and Jeff the brotherhood.  As typical to a jeff show, the crowd roused a mosh. In a moment of pure fantasy I fought the temptation to do like the others, leap from a speaker into the snap of open palms.  Fortunately for my reputation I accepted the limitations of a leather skirt and an empty cup of booze. 

Similar to other such recent warehouse parties, the Rabbit party drew a big and eclectic crowd.  I look forward to more of this not so recent Nashville trend, the warehouse party, an excellent all ages way to experience the spool of Nashville culture in an industrial kind of way. 

others… 

• lil hamilton
• the dirty eye warehouse 
• the funhouse (the not forgotten dilapidated powder house of debauchery)

of airmen and cattlemen November 18, 2008

In the blistering cold and 5 o’clock traffic I headed south to Shelbyville, TN, to attend The Arnold Community Council Annual Banquet.  Now I bet you’re thinking, “what the hell is the Arnold Community Council?”  The ACC is an organization designed to support and raise awareness of the Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC)– a flight test facility operated by the US Air Force, located at Arnold Air Force Base in Coffee County– bet you didn’t know that existed, did ya… I didn’t:).  

General Schwartz, USAF

This year’s event, the 8th annual, was a biggie.  The ACC managed to wrangle a very special guest speaker General Norton A. Schwartz, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, and some 580 people at $650/table, $75/person. Bling bling in the Bedford County!

As is typical, I rolled in just in time to swing by the bar and mingle for few before taking my seat.  The banquet was held on hard-packed dirt in the center of the Calsonic Arena, where just two days before broncs were bucking and bulls were shitting. Despite the ruff and rural locale, the presentation was lovely, white table cloths, flower arrangements, lovely stage– impressive, really.  

After an introduction of various elected officials and their representatives in attendance, a team of teens in servers uniforms filed out into the crowd serving endless plates of rib eye steak and baked potatoes prepared by the Lincoln County Cattleman’s Association.  There was no veggie option, no chicken option, this is cattle country.  

I threw back the last tastes of my wine as General Schwartz, a wispy airman with a big grin and ears to match took the stage reminiscing his rise to glory from the son of a typewriter salesman to a General and Chief of Staff for the U.S. Air Force.  Much to the delight of the audience, he paralled the successes of our fine Titan’s teamwork to the teamwork that is essential to success in the Air Force.  His occasional quip and playful tone dispelled any such gruff or stern notions of a military man.    

General Schwartz’s speech was followed up by ever clever community leader, former Lincoln County Mayor and Outgoing President of the ACC, Jerry Mansfield, and others who presented the General with various plaques, ribbons and awards, but none so telling of TN as the final three.  Representatives from Jack Daniel’s, George Dickel and Prichard’s Distillery (I had no idea TN is a rum producer) offered General Schwartz bottles of Tennessee’s finest whiskeys and rum.  

I waited my turn to shake General Schwartz’s hand after the event and found him generous and patient, signing the program of many a military parent, their eyes welling with tears in pride and fear for their deployed son or daughter.  The General will definitely have something to remember us by, more than dark liquor and well-done steak, a community in action and support of our men and women in uniform.  A state and a people rallied around our country.

Hank Williams Jr for US Senate November 17, 2008

Really??? Wow. I wonder if Bob Corker is shaking in his boots?  Should make for an interesting primary…  Ha! 

CMT (Country Music Television) News: Hank Williams Jr. Plans to Run for U.S. Senate

November 17, 2008
Written by Hazel Smith

Will wonders never cease?! Hank Williams Jr. says he will run for the U.S. Senate as a Republican candidate during the next primary election. It is my understanding that Hank has already talked with Sen. Lamar Alexander and former Sen. Bill Frist — both Republicans — regarding his candidacy.

Those of you who keep up with country music news by reading this weekly column are already aware that Hank spent a lot of time on the campaign trail with Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, John McCain’s vice presidential running mate. ###

US Senator Bob Corker

Hank Williams Jr.

The Bright Star of Bessemer November 14, 2008

minx touches the heart of Dixie… 

The election is now over and I am left– nothing much to comment.  Obama is president, Palin is gripping her 15 minutes and McCain is a shadow in the dark halls of a congress in recess.

The endless prattle of the news media is strange in it’s quiet, I’ve nothing much on my radar, so I guess I’ll observe this much needed political reprieve.  

I spent last weekend in my home state, the great State of Alabama, Alabama the Beautiful, Alabama, the Heart of Dixie.  While there I had Sunday lunch with my grandparents at one of my favorite throw-backs, The Bright Star.  

The Bright Star is a southern staple of hospitality, culture and a reminiscent glimpse into the past of what once was a bustling city center of the steel age, Bessemer, an outskirt of THE Magic City.   The now desolate streets, aged buildings and vacant store fronts are host to this gem, the Bright Star of Bessemer.  

Everyone at The Bright Star turned out in their Sunday best, and though I donned a pair of Levi’s and the sweater from the night before, I felt welcome. We missed the church crowd, thank God; so for the first time in my limited breath of Bright Star experiences, I did not have to wait on a vinyl bench for 45 minutes amist the twang and chatter of my fellow patrons.

 

Nick Koikos

Ever present owner, Nick Koikos, led us through a maze of dining rooms like parlors, their old walls seemingly unchanged in the past 100 years. Landing at a cozy four top we were met by our sugar-sweet southern drawling waitress, clad in uniform and signature scarf.

Water glasses and paper place mats already on the table it was only moments before a basket arrived, full of corn bread and flaky white rolls. 

Everyone at the table ordered snapper, 3 of 4: fried snapper throats, a true delicacy, and the loner: snapper almondine, also a great choice. The sides, equally amazing… field peas with snap beans (aka black eyed peas), fried okra, mashed sweet potatoes, mac and cheese, carrot salad, slaw…  

Despite the classic southern flare of the Sunday specials the Bright Star’s heritage is Greek. They’ve been serving up Greek style seafood, lamb and slabs of beef since 1907.

A true classic, The Bright Star comes on high recommendation.  They are an essential element of Alabama culinary charm and I anticipate my return with hungry belly.  Next time:  seafood gumbo and blue-berry bread pudding (which they sold out of, the only drawback of missing the church crowd).

not in tennessee they ain’t November 6, 2008

After the bitter and crushing defeat of the Republican Party last night one would expect to find most members of the Grand Old Party shivering under a rock and licking their wounds, but not in Tennessee they ain’t.  As expected, Tennessee carried John McCain to a solid 56% victory over Barack Obama, with 89 of 95 counties voting Republican.  McCain even made a last ditch campaign stop at the Tri-Cities Airport on Monday.  Why he would spend the final day of his presidential campaign stumping in a notoriously red state and at that in the most conservative of regions is a mystery.  

Also expected, US Senator Lamar Alexander cruised to an easy victory over his Democratic challenger Bob Tuke.  No surprise there, but a valiant effort on the part of Mr. Tuke– he and his campaign staff should be commended.  

Besides these predictable wins, red-blooded Tennesseans have something historic to celebrate.  Republicans “took control of both legislative houses for the first time since reconstruction” (“Republicans claim majority in state House”).  And by reconstruction, I mean the reconstruction that took place in the aftermath of the Civil War.  Yeah, it’s been that long.  

• House:  50 to 49 majority (1 indi)
• Senate:  19 to 14 

I’m not sure if the Republicans even know what to do with this new reign (they get control of the parking garage too I might add), but at the GOP House press conference on the Legislative Plaza this afternoon, current House Minority Leader Jason Mumpower introduced us to the newest comrades in the House and paid tribute to those who were victorious.  Hailing from the hills and hot asphalt of Bristol, TN, Mr. Mumpower explained that education is the number one priority of the House when they convene in January– thank God for that, our bunch of flunkys aren’t doing so hot under No Child Left Behind.  

Despite the monumental Republican victory in the state legislature, all was not smiles.  Beloved Maury County State Representative, Tommy Dubois, famous for his big time Mule Day hospitality lost his seat to Ty Cobb the high-steppin’ hotty, fire-fighter and youngest person ever elected to the Maury County Commission.   

Now we are all left wondering: are you still going to have the Mule Day party Tommy??? If not, I most certainly hope that the young Mr. Cobb will be hosting the grandest Mule Day party the likes of Maury County has ever seen.

fear and trembling on election eve November 3, 2008

We wait tonight, with bated breath, for tomorrow’s light to rise and fall and as it does, unveil the man who will be the 44th President of these United States.  The eerie still of this election eve is haunting, the fate of our country lies in the midst of some 48 hours and then the pen, the power of one man.  

Despite the polls, the rampant surge in early voting, the heavyweight endorsements, Barack Obama is not guaranteed to win.  All of those factors can change, tomorrow.  Me of little faith in polls and pundit predictions is not sold and I am gripped by the fear and anticipation of tomorrow’s end.  As I mentioned in my previous blog, voter turnout is essential and the key ingredient in the success of one man above the other. 

And though I’m sure the political hacks are commenting and will continue to do so to the point of nausea, what more can they say?  Can the electorate be swayed in this final hour?  What menace can spring to the stage that might possibly alter the outcome of this race, the decision of these last voters?  Is the mind of the American voter not yet made?

I knew a month ago, (yes, a one-time fence sitter) and some before there was even a nominee.  Excuse my paranoid diatribe on voter security, but is there still a swing voter? Is there anyone left on the fence?  How can it be, have you not yet made your mind?  What will sway your intention as you step to the booth?

The endless months of political demagoguery have pressed my mind into pulp that can no longer decipher rumor and reality, campaign promise and political jargon.  Another moment of media intelligence can do nothing but disfigure what hold I have on my political ideology.  The wash of bias has run over many, blotting the fact from fiction in this most heated of presidential elections.

We do know this, TN is red– but will we all swim in that blood?  And though turnout in states like Virginia may prove more vital to the victor, the tune of tomorrow’s voter will alter the future of our current situation dramatically in one way or the other for at least the next four years, so please, if you have not, prepare for tomorrow’s vote and make haste! Seize it!  Recite that cliche phrase with gusto: every vote counts!

Because if you don’t a blanket of shame will cover and smother you until the next election when you finally crawl from your hole of self-deprecation.  And at the very least, election parties will totally suck if you didn’t ACTUALLY VOTE. DO IT.