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Ah, Memories…

It was a simpler time. Groceries this week or five new CDs? Decisions, decisions! So…ramen it is! (I had my priorities, after all!)

(Yes, I tagged this in the Decline and Fall of Civilization category because as a society we lost something when music stores died.)

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Apologies…

I’ve been really bad about adding those “Comments” links to my posts. It’s a manual process that obviously isn’t quite integrated into my workflow just yet and something I’m still forgetting to do more often than not. I spent the last half hour going back several days and correcting this oversight. I’m sure there must be a way of building this into the basic template so I don’t have to consciously think about it, but it’s beyond me. (I’m not a WordPress programmer by any stretch of the imagination.)

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The Tidepool House

From the architect’s posted description:

Located on a prime corner lot in the Marea neighborhood, the Tidepool House seamlessly integrates Caribbean character with a design that embodies the Texas coastal lifestyle. This charming courtyard house curates a unique seaside vernacular that reflects the vibrant spirit of its surroundings while offering a serene retreat for its inhabitants.

Fronting the palm tree-lined boulevard of Estes Pointe Drive, the Tidepool House boasts a crafted gable that nods to the Cape Dutch style, establishing a welcoming presence for passersby.

The front porch serves as a gracious threshold, bridging the lively public realm of the neighborhood with the intimate comfort of home. As one rounds the corner, the west façade presents a symmetrical composition defined by two hipped roofs that bookend the property. These elements are elegantly connected by a spacious vaulted area crowned with a delightful cupola. The exterior design exudes classical rationality while incorporating distinctive elements of Gulf Coast architecture, ensuring the house resonates with its coastal context.

At the heart of the Tidepool House lies the expansive living, dining, and kitchen area, united under a vaulted ceiling that amplifies the sense of openness. Natural light floods this central space through sliding doors that open onto the courtyard, as well as from the cupola above the dining area, creating a luminous atmosphere ideal for gathering. In the private wings of the house, the three bedrooms provide thoughtfully framed views, transforming the home into a tropical sanctuary for all guests.

The central courtyard serves as the soul of the Tidepool House, nurturing vitality and reflection, much like a tide pool teeming with marine life.

This tranquil outdoor space invites moments of peace and connection with nature, allowing residents to step away from the bustle of daily life and immerse themselves in the wild beauty of Redfish Bay. Overall, this residence not only captures the essence of the Texas coast but also offers a peaceful haven, inviting all who enter to experience the joy of coastal living in a uniquely designed environment.

I would want that fence bordering the street to be a standard 6′ (1.8M) height all around for privacy and pool safety—especially if said pool is anything more than the reflecting variety (and even then, curious toddlers can drown in a bucket of water so better safe than sorry). I’d also push that covered porch out another couple feet to actually make it usable.

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Released 51 Years Ago Today

Sir Elton must be feeling old…as am I.

Elton John: Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (1975)

This was probably the most-anticipated release of my youth, and has remained my all time favorite EJ album my entire life. The entire recording is pure genius from beginning to end. My favorite song from the album, Better Off Dead, is posted above.

Produced by Gus Dudgeon, it was recorded at the Caribou Ranch in Nederland, CO from June – July 1974. After the successful Caribou album, the prolific musician returned to the Caribou Ranch recording studio in the Colorado Rockies to record his next release. The concept album is an autobiographical account of Elton John and Bernie Taupin and the struggles they faced at the beginning of their musical careers. The single Someone Saved My Life Tonight, is about John’s half-hearted suicide attempt while he was engaged to a woman, faced with choosing her over his musical career (and still struggling with his sexual orientation at the time). His friend and former band mate Long John Baldry convinced him to break off the engagement (whom John’s refers to in the song as “Sugar Bear”). The album also marks the last time that John recorded with drummer Nigel Olsson and bassist Dee Murray until the Too Low For Zero album in 1983. Captain Fantastic makes history when it becomes the first album to ever enter the Billboard Top 200 at number one. For the original LP release, a limited number of promotional copies are pressed on translucent brown vinyl, with each album jacket autographed by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The album is remastered and reissued on CD in 1995 with the stand alone singles Philadelphia Freedom, Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds, and Elton’s cover of the John Lennon penned One Day A Time (B-side of Lucy), added as bonus tracks. Out of print on vinyl since 1989, the album is remastered and reissued in 2017. Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy spent seven weeks (non-consecutive) at number one on the Billboard Top 200, and is certified 3x Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

The album was released on pretty much every format available, but there is one vinyl pressing that is rarer than rare: a brown vinyl edition that was limited to 2000 units, signed by both Elton and Bernie. Currently there is one—ONE—listing on Discogs, and it’s going for $2500 Australian.

 

And here I thought the pink vinyl version of Madonna’s Bedtime Stories, or the multi-disc, multi-color vinyl version of Pet Shop Boys’ Relentless was ridiculously expensive and forever out-of-reach!

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#Accurate

Donald Trump returned from China on May 15th claiming strength, dominance, and another “historic success,” but the reality looked far different to much of the world watching. What unfolded during the visit often appeared less like a display of American power and more like a carefully managed spectacle orchestrated entirely on China’s terms.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is known for discipline, control, and strategic patience. Trump, by contrast, frequently appeared impulsive, distracted, and overly eager for praise and optics. While Chinese state media projected calm authority and national confidence, Trump spent much of the trip creating headlines centered on himself rather than meaningful diplomatic achievements.

For critics, the visit reinforced a growing perception that Trump walks into high-stakes international situations believing theatrics can replace preparation and substance. The awkward moments, exaggerated praise, and constant need for attention only fueled the image of a leader more focused on performance than policy.

Meanwhile, China gained exactly what it wanted: powerful visuals, global exposure, and the appearance of stability and control beside an American president many already view as chaotic and unpredictable.

Whether supporters admit it or not, the trip did little to project strength for the United States. To many observers around the world, it looked like Donald Trump had wandered into a geopolitical chess match while still believing he was starring in reality television.

[source]

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