Vinyl of the Month – All the Girl’s in the World Beware by Grand Funk

Posted on May 3, 2022 by Just Chuck

I’m a Grand Funk fan. Been listening to them almost as long as I’ve been listening to KISS. They are another band that I am in the process of recapturing their complete discography on vinyl again. And I’m close to doing that. Sadly I gave up a number of those old albums but I managed to hang on to All the Girl’s in the World Beware.

All the Girl’s in the World is my favorite album from them. It was released in 1974. Its the newer Grand Funk, they had dropped the Railroad from their name and picked up Craig Frost on keyboards. I bought this album, like many of my old ones, in Puerto Rico. I can sing every song on this album.

About 10 years ago I played bass in an 80’s retro band called Retroplex and even though its not an 80’s song, we played Some Kind of Wonderful because it has a great dance groove and because I wanted to play and sing it.

I still pull this album out and sing along to it. All 3 original members of Grand Funk Railroad are still alive but sadly Mark Farner does not have a relationship anymore with Don Brewer and Mel Schacher. Don and Mel still tour as Grand Funk but with ex-KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick and a couple of other guys. Craig Frost is also still alive and plays in Bob Seger’s band. I wished they would kiss and makeup. A tour with the original 3 members (and Craig too) would be a sold out tour. I’d pay fairly good money to see that.

So, anyways, my vinyl of the month pick is All the Girl’s in the World Beware by Grand Funk.

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Vinyl of the Month – Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin

Posted on April 8, 2022 by Just Chuck
Physical Graffiti

A little behind on posting this. This months vinyl of the month is the first Led Zeppelin album I ever bought – Physical Graffiti. It was released in February 1975, I probably bought it the summer of 1975, it was a double album with 15 songs. It was their 6th album release.

I was a die hard KISS fan at this point in my life, loving their short 3 minute songs about sex and girls, so getting a Led Zeppelin album was a totally different direction for me. 5 minute songs on average and the epic Kashmir almost 9 minutes long, this was a different listen for me. But I loved it. And I was now a Led Zeppelin fan for life. Custard Pie stood out as my favorite at the time followed by The Rover, both guitar heavy songs.

Led Zeppelin

I then proceeded to find all the rest of Zeppelin’s back albums. Sadly #1 – I never got to see them in concert. I can still remember where I was when I heard the John Bonham (the drummer) had died (I also remember where I was when I heard Elvis had passed too).

Sadly #2 – I gave my Led Zeppelin vinyl collection to my brother after buying the CD versions of them. He proceeded to sell them. I’m now in the process of replacing all those albums. I have one left to purchase.

So this month Vinyl of the Month is Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti, still my favorite Led Zep album of the bunch.

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Still Here with lots of ideas

Posted on March 10, 2022 by Just Chuck

I’m still here. Taking Toy photos during February was a bust. Weather not good, work not fun, etc. And here we are already in March and there is stuff going on with work and we are watching our grandson and fixing to take a spring break trip to visit my Mom with him. So its been hard to get going on one thing or another and focus.

I’ve done some more drawing with my XP-Pen drawing pad. And I am working on a comic book idea utilizing some military toy figures I’ve purchased. And I’ve got a few ideas for some songs. So lots of ideas, but sitting down and executing is the issue. Focus.

Did I mention I’ve been doing Pokemon Go again? I got back into it (yes I was going it back when Pokemon Go app first came out) as a way to do more things with my grandson. we’ve been having fun going on Pokemon safaris around our neighborhood. Check this one out. I have a video of it licking but WordPress won’t let me post videos with paying them more. Is this not the most awesome Pokemon you’ve ever seen?

Licky Licky make you Sticky!

So, when I get some time I’ll get something going. Winter is slowly relinquishing its grasp on Texas so the mood is improving.

Oh, and we sold our Winnebago Micro Minnie. For numerous reasons I’m not going to list, it was best for us to pass it on rather than keep it in storage. It hadn’t been used since October 2021. So that is one weight lifted.

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Vinyl of the Month – Angel – On Earth As It Is In Heaven

Posted on March 1, 2022 by Just Chuck

Ever heard of Angel? Most people haven’t. They were part of the Casablanca Records artist pool along with KISS. Like KISS they had a stage show and gimmick. They released 7 studio albums (one as recent as 2019) and one live album. I have all their albums on CD but my introduction to Angel came through CREEM magazine.

If you are my age and was into rock music like I was you know what CREEM magazine is. Remember Boy Howdy beer? It’s the precursor to Hit Parader and Circus magazine, both excellent rock magazines that came later. I believe I’ve mentioned this before but CREEM introduced me to KISS through this article.

CREEM August 1975

So, back to Angel, I was wanting to not miss an issue of CREEM, so I talked my parents into a subscription. Well that subscription came with a free album – Angel’s On Earth as it is in Heaven. I figured what the hell, they have costumes like KISS. My only concern was that they had keyboards. There was a time in my young life where I didn’t consider keyboards belonging in a rock band. I know silly.

The album was released in 1977 and I was happily surprised. I liked it, and played in constantly that first couple of months when it arrived in the mail. This is before YouTube and Spotify and the internet so you never knew what you were getting until you stuck it on your record player. I still have this album in my vinyl collection.

So for the month of March Angel’s On Earth as it is in Heaven is my Vinyl of the Month.

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Hey, where’d he go?

Posted on February 5, 2022 by Just Chuck

I guess you’re probably wondering, “Hey, what happened to Paw Paw and that great toy photography adventure he started on?”

The weather was the main catalyst. Down here is Texas is got frigid cold. Not like last year where the whole state shut down for a week, but still it snowed about an inch, sleeted for a bit and we were stuck at home on Thursday and Friday. Didn’t mean I didn’t have to work. I’m able to work remotely so I still put in my 8+ hours each day. Don’t get me started on that meeting that started at 4:15 on a Friday and lasted 3 hours into the evening.

Anyway, I had some ideas for some photos but the weather kinda put it behind schedule and I just gave up. I gotta tell you, I don’t like the cold anymore. I used to be a cold weather guy, loved to go skiing every year, but those days are passed. I like a nice Spring and Fall, and then the summer in a swimming pool.

So here are some old toy photos I did about 6 or 7 years ago to placate that adventure. I think I’m going to go back to drawing and learn how to use my drawing tablet. And work on my comic book script.

Lost in Space Robot

Toy guitars and amps

Chevron Car

Sting on a OCC Spider-bike

OCC Spider-Bike

G.I. Joe Winter Soldier

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Toy Photography – Day 1

Posted on February 1, 2022 by Just Chuck

Wasn’t sure I was going to pull this off tonight. Setting things up late at night, trying to be quiet in the house while others are sleeping. This was definitely a challenge.

I used a figure I received in the mail today. A Joy Toy figure that is highly detailed. Using some old tin I had laying around and my LED lights, I tried to mock up the inside of a ship or some kind of structure. Anyway, its OK for a spur of the moment idea. Also sharing a behind the scenes look of the set up.

Kenji Tanaka – suited Assassin

This figure is part of my comic book story I’m working on. Meet Kenji Tanaka from the Japanese Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office. He is part of my Threat Neutralization Team (T.N.T.)

behind the scenes
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Vinyl of the Month – Foghat LIVE

Posted on February 1, 2022 by Just Chuck
Foghat LIVE

Foghat was one of those bands in the ’70s that had a groove, a boogie. Catchy tunes you could sing along to made them the cassette to have playing while I cruised around town in my Chevy Monza.

I’ve seen Foghat in concert (1978ish) and their energy and set list made for a raucous time.

Sadly original guitarists Lonesome Dave Peverett and Rod Price have passed on, along with Bass player Craig MacGregor. Foghat is still touring, but only the original drummer Roger Earl remains.

So for the month of February the album Foghat LIVE is my choice for Vinyl of the Month. Not to mention the album went double Platinum.

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Well, what next?

Posted on January 31, 2022 by Just Chuck

So, now that my 30 days of drawing adventure has come to an end, I’ve been racking my brain wondering what to try next. What could I do during the month of February? What could I do for 28 days? I had a list started for consideration:

  • learn the harmonica (I have a set and a book)
  • work on my weight issue/fitness (this one is coming)
  • write, record and release 3-4 songs (me recording all the instruments, singing etc.)
  • Learn how to use my XP-Pen drawing tablet with Krita more efficiently
  • Create a 22 page comic book (I am a comic geek and collector)

In the end I decided on none of those for February, but that list will eventually get tried. I decided to challenge myself to create 28 different photographs (one for each day) using the many toys I own. I’m not talking about just throwing a toy up on a counter and snapping a pic with my cell phone. I’m talking setting up a photo that hopefully shows some semblance of reality.

If you’ve seen some of my photos I’ve posted here or on my Instagram, you’ll understand what I mean. These are all toys I own in the photos below. Tomorrow we begin.

McFarlane Toys Frankenstein Set
McFarlane Toys Jimi Hendrix figure
T.N.T vs Demogorgon (Funko Pop)
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You Can Draw in 30 Days – Day 30!

Posted on January 30, 2022 by Just Chuck

Day/Lesson 30 – Your Hand of Creativity. Last day, last lesson. The final drawing exercise for this adventure was to draw a hand. I did my best. Like eyes, its not as easy as it looks. At least not for someone who doesn’t draw on such a detailed level.

So this is it, completed the book You Can Draw in 30 Days by Mark Kistler. If you are looking for an activity to enrich your day, I suggest getting the book and going through the lessons. You will start looking at the world a little differently. I notice shadows and shading everywhere I look now. Or I’ll break things down into basic shapes, spheres, cubes and cylinders.

Day/Lesson 30 – Your Hand of Creativity

Anyway, I tried a couple of hands, the bottom one is my hand.

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You Can Draw in 30 Days – Day 29

Posted on January 29, 2022 by Just Chuck

Day/Lesson 29 – The Human Eye of Inspiration. Drawing the eye. One eye. I drew a couple of more. I think I may try some more reptile type eyes. I started to play around with that idea then realized it was very late.

Tomorrow is the last day of drawing, well I’m not going to stop drawing but its the last day for this drawing adventure. I’ll have to think of another 30 day adventure to start on Monday so I can keep this attention going. Maybe something along the lines of music?

Day/Lesson 29 – The Human Eye of Inspiration
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