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Posts tagged Jimmy Buffett
Blogging from the Beach
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Ain’t technology grand? I’m chilling at the beach with Buffett playing in my ear on my iPod (Buffet Hotel, for those who are wondering.) Shannon is reading Tina Fey’s book on the awesome Nook that Joey Snackpants got me for Christmas.
And I’m typing this blog post on my phone.
Since none of these tidbits of technological goodness are waterproof, though, I am going to have to stop typing and go jump in the water now.
The Welcome to Fin-Land Jimmy Buffett Concert at Cruzan Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach had THE WORST AUDIO
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Oh… the adventures we go on in the magical land of Margaritaville. Sometimes they are the best times you can remember. Sometimes they are the best times you can’t remember (making them epic!) Sometimes, though, they are good times with things that you’d rather not remember.
This was the case with my 7th Jimmy Buffett concert experience. It started with awesome tailgating that looked like this:
But ended with me writing a letter to Margaritaville management and the Cruzan Amphitheatre:
TO: info@margaritaville.com; cruzanampinquiry@livenation.com
SUBJECT: Jimmy Buffett on March 23rd in West Palm Beach. Please Read!Dear Purveyors of the Parrothead Lifestyle,
Close to a quarter of a century ago, I moved to Florida and found myself an adopted son of the beaches, palm trees and atmosphere that can only be found in the Sunshine State. Part of my right of passage into a citizen of this fine state was being introduced to the music, mania and mentality of Jimmy Buffett.
Since then, I have attended six shows (at various venues in Florida) and each has always been, without fail, a memorable experience of epic proportions… until now.
Last weekend was the seventh Jimmy Buffett concert I have attended. It is also my fifth concert experience at Cruzan Amphitheatre. It was, without a doubt, the worst audio presentation I have paid for at a live show.
While it was great to hear all the press via email and banners around the concert that the show would be simulcast on Radio Margaritaville, it seems to me that more focus was needed on clear sound AT the venue itself. Myself, and dozens around me in general admission seating, couldn’t hear a word Jimmy said on stage – and the music was barely audible.
Concert tickets have always carried the caveat of “no refunds,” but this was the first time in over twenty years that I was disappointed in having handed over my money to Jimmy and the Margaritaville Empire.
If someone doesn’t tell you there was a problem, then you’ll never know that there was one. So here I am.
Regards,
Tom Croom
www.TomCroom.com
Review: Swine Not?
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My rating: 2 of 5 stars
James Franco is one of my favorite human beings. What, you ask, does that have to do with this book? Allow me to explain…
James Franco is an actor who has been public about not just being an actor. After finishing some television and film, he took the time to go back to college (read: Columbia University!) and work on a masters degree. When choosing his roles, he doesn’t shy away from jumping from blockbuster films to doing a gig on a television soap opera.
I like people who step out of their “normal” lives and try to be more than they are. Jimmy Buffett is one of those types of people. He has a merchandise and restaurant empire build on his musical talent that convey (and effectively sell) a certain state of mind. He’s enjoyed a ton of success for stepping outside his proverbial box.
I respect Jimmy’s attempts at writing, but Swine Not? is the weakest of his publications. It’s a cute short story that somehow got blown into a full time novel. You can feel Buffett pulling from every direction for more words and asides to keep the narrative going in this story about a pig living in New York City. It is based on (according to the jacket) a true story.
This book doesn’t necessarily suck – but it really didn’t need to be more than 100 pages long. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go listen to my copy of Fruitcakes.
Review: Tourist Season
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Tourist Season by Carl Hiaasen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Growing up in South Florida, you realize that there are certain unwritten rules for living here. Some are obvious (“Thou shalt own at least one Jimmy Buffett album.”) Others are learned from experience (“Thou shalt add thirty minutes of drive time to any location during Snow Bird season.”) One of my favorites, though, I only learned about five years ago:
“Carl Hiaasen understands our screwed up state, and thou shalt read his novels for insight.”
I was introduced to Carl’s works via word of mouth when his named popped up due to a local book signing in my town. The word(s) out of someone’s mouth was “you’re kidding!” when I noted I had never read one of his novels. Thus I bought a copy of “Skinny Dip” and, thoroughly satisfied, decided to read the entire Carl Hiaasen collection.
“Tourist Season” is easily my favorite.
Part of the charm in this work is the snapshot it creates of Florida during the recent past. Talk to anyone from Chicago, Illinois after watching The Blues Brothers and they’ll tell you how different the whole place was then… and how magically unique. “Tourist Season” is South Florida in the eighties, and mentions of things that were the norm of the time (cassette players in Cadillacs, etc.) help to paint a vivid neon lit image of the Sunshine State from the “before time.”
The story sets the tone for all future Carl Hiaasen novels: twisted (to the point of humorous) deaths peppered with mystery and wit with a conscious reminder of the less than flattering things Florida residents have done in local history. The book reads like a great film… but based on Striptease‘s translation to celluloid, I kind of hope they leave this one alone.
This is a great introduction to Carl Hiaasen’s view of Florida, and a solid book for reading at the beach.
I’m growing older but not up.
1I’m growing older but not up
My metabolic rate is pleasantly stuck
Let those winds of time blow over my head
I’d rather die while I’m living than live while I’m dead-Jimmy Buffett
Today is my birthday. I am not celebrating it today, though.
I WILL be celebrating it THIS SATURDAY WITH PURE DINOSAUR AWESOMENESS.
Would you like to partake in the Jurassic Jubilation with us? THEN CLICK THIS AND READ IT NOW!
Flickr Friday: Smile! It’s Jimmy Buffett!
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I occasionally update new photos (and old ones that I scan) on my Flickr account. In doing so, I get to revisit a lot of photos I’ve taken while travelling. Each Friday, I plan on posting a photo that I think is interesting. Maybe you’ll think so, too.
Yes, that photo was taken at a Jimmy Buffett concert in 2007.
Yes, alcohol was involved.
