kanoodle's New Writeups

The death of Uncle Sam (fiction)

2009-03-29T06:17:11Z

The old man staggered forward, the hot 4th of July sun drumming down upon him, fixing itself onto him like some kind of stellar parasite intent on his demise. He lurched, first one way, then another as the crowd looked on.

The old man was Uncle Sam, a figure about town who was a fixture often spotted by regular commuters. His tall gaunt frame was easily spotted, and the clothing was even more of a hallmark. The stovepipe hat, white with a deep blue band upon which a large white star was emblazoned, was the first thing one noticed. The stiff collared white shirt with the ever present red bow tie was covered by his dark blue long tailed jacket. His pants were striped in wide white and red vertical stripes, making his already imposing figure an exaggerated one.

The clothing was his calling card, but it quickly became secondary to the man within. His hair and goatee were pure white. His eyes were blue, piercing, blazingly demanding. His nose was straight, lending itself to his vaguely hawk like…

Ron Bushy (person)

2009-03-28T04:21:02Z

Have you ever heard the long version of the Iron Butterfly classic In-a-gadda-da-vida? Did you find yourself really enjoying that drum solo? Thank Ron Bushy.

Ron Bushy was born in Washington, DC on December 23, 1945. His was a mobile existence, being part of a military family, living in approximately 34 states during his upbringing. I imagine after the first 20 or so moves, who bothers counting anymore.

Bushy started his love affair with drums in college, an affair which has brought him respect and fame from rock enthusiasts. Bushy, along with lead man/vocalist Doug Ingle formed Iron Butterfly in San Diego in 1966. The band made the move to Los Angeles where it played the club scene and gained a recording contract. Subsequent exposure as an opener for The Doors and Jefferson Airplane garnered the band national attention. The band broke out in 1968 with their first album entitled Heavy, which it definitely was. The band became an embodiment of…

Long time coming (personal)

2009-03-02T03:47:10Z

Long ago, on a visit with my parents to my favorite aunt and uncle on a Saturday night, I encountered my first musical instrument.

This was back in the mid 1950's, and their home was, at least to me, a palace. The living room was large and had gleaming polished oak floors. This, along with a fireplace, branded my soul with a vision of what a home should be.

I don't recall what my age was, but I was very young, perhaps 4 or 5 years of age. I was alone in the living room when I saw a fiddle. I learned later that my aunt, uncle, and their only child (a son) all played at least one instrument. One played guitar, another the mandolin, and the third was a fiddle player.

I remember just getting my little mitts on that fiddle and asking to be given the rubbin' stick. I didn't even know it was called a bow.

The adults of course laughed at me and took that fiddle away from me. I wasn't a stupid or careless child, knew to handle things of worth with care. It mattered not; my…

Black Oak Arkansas (thing)

2009-03-02T01:29:11Z

Black Oak Arkansas was a southern rock band which found popularity in the 70's.

The band was named for their home town of Black Oak, Arkansas, a tiny burg numbering 286 in the 2000 census. The band never found the following that other southern rock bands such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers, and Marshall Tucker enjoyed. They did manage to find their groove along with a core of fans due mainly to constant touring. The band had many different parts at different times, but one constant was lead vocalist James 'Big Jim Dandy' Mangrum. He took the job of front man to heart, projecting a raw sexuality that was a hallmark of the band.

The group managed a string of 10 albums which charted from 1971-1976. Their most famous recording was a cover of the LaVern Baker R&B classic Jim Dandy to the Rescue, making it onto the Top 30 chart.

During the 60's, the band formed almost by default. The members were unable to find work and turned to the world of rock and roll to try their…

Smokey Bear (person)

2009-03-01T23:55:56Z

Smokey bear is a euphemism for a cop, usually a state trooper or county cop (county mounty).

The nickname came into being soon after the US Forestry Service invented the cartoon character Smokey Bear. The cartoon bear wears the classic straight brimmed ranger hat, the same as many police officers. It is an easily identifiable (and patently ridiculous) symbol of law enforcement personnel in the US. Truckers spend large amounts of effort finding out where Smokey Bear might be working or running a speed trap. They use radar detectors (fuzz busters) or use CB radio to rat out the bear's location. Truckers live by the credo Don't feed the bears.

good buddy (idea)

2009-03-01T23:25:40Z

It is common for certain occupations to contribute terms to the broader vocabulary of society. One such term comes from the world of trucking, with good buddy becoming a fairly common phrase used to punctuate conversation, especially in the southern US.

The term first came into popular usage with the rise in popularity of CB radio. It really made the leap into the broader culture with the film Smokey and the Bandit. Bandit (played by Burt Reynolds) and Cletus (Jerry Reed's most famous film role) bantered on the CB while running a hot load of Coors beer, dodging Smokey Bear, and otherwise corrupting Sally Field. This single film arguably did more to popularize the myth of trucking, CB radio, and cop stereotypes than any other movie.

Within the trucking community itself, the phrase has had a negative connotation almost since the film came out. It is used as a term of derision in an industry which clings to its machismo image tighter than a spinster aunt clings to her…