I've Never...

 I've Never...

An impromptu essay by Aaron D. Backes

I've never been on a cruise, but I've never really had any interest in going on one. If I'm going to be on a boat, I'd rather take a ride on a lake to relax or go fishing.

I've never been to Disneyland or Disneyworld, but one day I'd like to.

I've never been to an NFL game. Maybe someday I will.

I've never been to an MLB game outside of Minnesota. Maybe that will change, maybe it won't.

I've never had lobster. Don't know if I'd enjoy it or not.

I've never received a birthday gift from a friend. I've given plenty, but to the best of my recollection, I've never received a real, thoughtful or meaningful birthday present from a friend, at least not as an adult, anyway. I've received gifts from friends before, just not on or for my birthday.

I've never had a birthday party as an adult. I think the last party thrown for me was for my high school graduation, which was just family. Hell, nowadays, I have a hard enough time just getting a few local friends to join me for a meal on my birthday, but I realize that's something that for some strange reason is fairly common. Many people don't really honor commitments or friendships like they used to, I guess.

I've never truly been in love. I've dated a few women at different times, but there's never really been someone special that I've wanted to spend the rest of my life with yet. I'm not looking now. If it happens, fine. If it doesn't, I won't lose any sleep over it.

Well, that's all I can think of for now. It's early in the morning and I'm still not quite fully awake just yet. If I think of more to add to this, I will. If I can't, well then, until the next article I write, have a great weekend, everyone!

Rock & Metal 2 Hit Wonders

 Hi everyone,

I've been thinking about the topic of this post for a few weeks now. We all know many great 1-hit wonders, but how many 2-hit wonders do we know in the rock and metal worlds? I came up with a short list that I'll expand upon below. I deliberately excluded pop/rock acts like Tears for Fears and Mr. Mister from my list.

1. White Lion: "Wait," "When the Children Cry"

White Lion was the first hair metal band that came to mind when I was compiling this list. I remember hearing their two radio hits regularly back in high school. Some of my classmates did an analysis of "Wait" as part of an English class assignment in my junior year. Aside from their cover of Golden Earring's single "Radar Love," I can't really think of any other outstanding tunes by White Lion. Sadly, the group is no longer in existence, but lead singer Mike Tramp still performs their hits on tour.

2. Tesla: "Love Song," "Signs"

Most people who don't listen to rock regularly only know the California-based band Tesla for these two songs, the latter of which is an acoustic cover. I know them for these tunes and other singles including "What You Give" and "No Way Out (Heaven's Trail)," to name just a few. Personally, I think they deserve more credit for having a career that's lasted much longer than many other bands of their era.

3. Ugly Kid Joe: "Everything About You," "Cats in the Cradle"

When I searched for 2 hit wonders online, Ugly Kid Joe was a band that consistently came up on different pages. It's an odd coincidence that both of these tunes appear on the same album (America's Least Wanted). I would argue that the single "Neighbor" is a 3rd hit, although it's not nearly as popular as the other two, the latter of which was lauded as a modern take on the Cat Stevens classic. 

4. Steelheart: "I'll Never Let You Go," "Everybody Loves Eileen"

Some say that Steelheart is a one-hit wonder, while others say that they had 2 hit singles. I'm in the 2-hit wonder camp, although I also like their single "She's Gone." Steelheart is still around, and they're a band that I'll have to see live in concert someday. Frontman Miljenko Matijevic has a phenomenal voice that's truly one of a kind. 

5. Quiet Riot: "Metal Health (Bang Your Head), "Cum On Feel The Noize"

I don't know many more Quiet Riot songs than this pair, although I did hear several more in concert at Halfway Jam several years ago. I was lucky enough to see the band perform with Kevin Dubrow before his passing. 

6. Extreme: "More than Words," "Hole Hearted"

I've heard a few more Extreme songs than this over the years, but there really aren't any other singles that have resonated with rock fans than these two. They're another great live band that I'll have to see in concert some time. Their continued existence makes me kinda glad that singer Gary Cherrone's time with Van Halen didn't last very long. 

These are the first bands that immediately came to mind. If you have others that you think of worthy of consideration, please let me know. Until next time, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.

The World Is Still Tired of Hate

The only thing in this world that I hate is hate itself.

I've witnessed people exhibit hate against others simply because they're different from them. I will never condone those kinds of actions. Unfortunately, in the age of the Internet and social media, such incidents are becoming more widespread. Maybe they're just more publicized. 

Last week, I read about Nex Benedict's death. They were a student at a school in Oklahoma who was beaten unconscious in a bathroom by three bullies. They died in a local hospital the next day. Official reports have not confirmed that their death was caused by her injuries, but logic would presume that they had a significant impact on their demise. 

What really infuriated me was the comments made on Libs of TikTok's social media pages. They are run by Chaya Raichik, who seems to be a very vile human being. She posts doctored videos that conform to her narrative that condemns trans people. The sad thing is that there are people who view her inflammatory messages and use them as justification to conduct violent acts against members of the trans community.

Raichik's supporters say that she wasn't directly responsible for Nex's death. That may be true, but she targeted her school district in one of her posts and another post condemned one of Nex's favorite teachers, who later resigned. The issue I see in this is that Chaya is an influencer. Like it or not, some people take everything she posts as the truth, even though those of us who aren't that gullible see right through her toxic bullshit.

I know a few trans people, and they are some of the nicest individuals that I've ever known. They simply want to live in peace, just like anyone else. I don't like the fact that many states, including Oklahoma, have introduced and/or enacted laws that punish trans people and other members of the LGBTQ+ community.

I'm straight, and I will always stand up for people in the LGBTQ+ community, whether I know them personally or not. I learned at an early age that people should be viewed for who they are as individuals and not favored or shunned because they fit in a specific demographic category. If I like or dislike someone, it's based on who they are as a whole. I've known some people who are very attractive on the outside but quite ugly on the inside. I also know some people who won't win any beauty contests but are truly wonderful individuals who are a blessing to everyone in their circles.

I am beyond tired of hate in this world. It's such wasted energy. Imagine what a wonderful world we could have if just a fraction of the time and effort people spent hating others could be used for constructive purposes. That's my hope, anyway.

Well, that's all for now. I've got a lot to do this week, including volunteer commitments. Until next time, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.

Bucky's Favorite Foo Fighter Songs

 Hi everyone,

It's been quite a week for me. Very busy but frustrating. Listening to music helps me deal with the ups and downs of life. This week, I've been listening to the Foo Fighters' complete discography (so far). I have all of their studio albums along with some live recordings and a few B-sides. Knowing that I haven't written a music blog in a while, I thought I'd catalog my favorite Foo tracks, along with a few that others like but I just can't get into. Here we go!

The hits...

1. Everlong. This is the song that most Foo Fighters (and rock fans in general) know. It was the first song of their set when I saw the band play at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN a few years ago. The music video's pretty cool, too. Both the electric and acoustic versions of this song are great. It's a tune that really identifies the Foo Fighters as a band.

2. Walk. The last song from the Wasting Light album is one that I put on when I need a little extra motivation. I love the positive message (and the humorous music video, that parodies the Michael Douglas film Falling Down). Definitely listened to it a few times already this week while I worked through a few frustrations.

3. This Is A Call. This is the first-ever Foo Fighters single, the one that introduced the world to Dave Grohl's music post-Nirvana. It's been one of my favorites ever since. Such a simple but effective song.

4. Monkey Wrench. I like this track because of its gradual buildup to an emotional bridge. Grohl wrote it about his breakup with his ex-wife and I can understand the emotions behind it. It's another solid single with a great music video too!

5. Learn to Fly. This is another song that gets me going when I'm down in the dumps. I can understand why it's popular because of its catchiness and yet another awesome music video (starring Jack Black and Kyle Gass of Tenacious D).

6. Something From Nothing. This is the strongest song from the Sonic Highways album. Another song that builds momentum as it goes on. I love the energy and layered guitars in this tune.

7. My Hero. Every Foos fan knows this tune, and can probably sing every word of the lyrics from memory. The Colour and the Shape album was filled with classic tracks, and this one is no exception. A true anthem for the fans. 

8. I'll Stick Around. The second single from the band's debut album is the one that got me hooked on them. I loved the guitar sounds and the defiant lyrics. I can relate to them as I've endured a lot of things that others would have simply given up on life. 

9. February Stars. This song is a great lead-in to Everlong. It's another tune that starts out soft and slow and builds energy and volume until reaching its apex. I wish the group would play this song more often in concert, as I think it's very underrated. 

10. Big Me. Another single from the debut disc that almost everyone knows. It's very basic, but so catchy. The video parodies the infamous Mentos commercials so that alone makes it worth a listen. 

11. Next Year. I remember hearing the opening of this There Is Nothing Left to Lose track at the beginning of an old NBC show, but it's one that's been stuck in my memory for years. It doesn't have a ton of substance but is one that caught my attention at the very first listen. The video is cool, too.

12. Walking After You. Everlong is bookended on The Colour and the Shape album by February Stars and this song. It's another softer track, but no less important. I've heard a couple of different versions of this tune, but I think that the original album version is the best. A subtle track for those inclined to hear its message.

13. Times Like These (acoustic). The electric version of this song is great, but I prefer the acoustic rendition. It's stripped down to the core and listeners can really understand the meaning behind it. It's been a great rallying cry for people when we've had to deal with depression, disappointment, and disaster. 

14. Cold Day In The Sun. Taylor Hawkins didn't sing lead vocals on very many Foo Fighters songs, but this is the one he's best known for. Another easy song that's often a welcome earworm. I'm glad I got to hear him sing it live in person before he passed away. We still miss you, Hawk.

15. The Pretender. This song starts the Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace album off right. I can relate to the message in the lyrics, as I've dealt with my fair share of pretenders in my life. 

16. Resolve. This song from the electric disc of In Your Honor doesn't get a lot of attention, but it's one I zeroed in on after a few listens. I'm surprised they made a music video for it. Grohl pokes fun at some of the silliness of the lyrics, but it's still a tune that resonates with me from time to time. 

17. Breakout. Some people like this song because it was also on a movie soundtrack. I like it because it's a solid tune. It may be a bit formulaic, but I don't mind. It has the impact that I've come to expect from Foo Fighters tunes.

18. The Glass. A few months ago, I watched a Foo Fighters performance on Austin City Limits. This was one of the songs that they played. Grohl talked about how he was inspired to write it after watching his mother behind hospital glass during her final days. Even though But Here We Are is by no means my favorite Foo Fighters album, I understand that several songs on it were written while band members were dealing with difficult personal losses, so I can respect the message behind this timely track. 

Honorable mention:

1. Baker Street. Several years ago, I bought an import CD single version of My Hero that had this cover tune and a few other extras included on it. My local radio station also started playing it regularly around the time that Everlong was popular. It's an interesting take on the Gerry Rafferty classic, substituting loud guitars for the signature horns. My only complaint is that Dave's vocals seem a bit too quiet during the two rounds of verses. Otherwise, it's a solid song. 

...and the misses.

1. Best of You. The chorus of this track is reminiscent of the jingle from a KFC commercial that aired regularly on TV at the time this single was released. Even though the Foos play this song at almost every show, it's just not one that I really dig, but that's okay. It's one of the few Foo tracks that I feel that way about.

2. Shame Shame. When I first heard this song, I was surprised to hear that it was from the Foo Fighters. It's unlike most of their other singles. There's just too much of a pop vibe in it for me to enjoy. 

Well, there you have it: my favorite (and least favorite) Foo Fighters songs. Until next time, have a great weekend, and don't forget to be kind to one another.

It Would Be Nice If...

 Hi everyone,

I originally intended for my next blog article to be about music. However, I've put that on the back burner until my ideas are fully fleshed out. In the meantime, here's another impromptu creation. Enjoy!

It Would Be Nice If...

- the world didn't revolve around money.

- no one went to bed hungry.

- we eliminated homelessness.

- people didn't have to choose between paying bills, putting a roof over their heads, or getting recommended medical care.

- health care was not for profit.

- universal basic income was implemented.

- millionaires, billionaires, trillionaires, and corporations paid their fair shares of taxes.

- politicians worked with people in their opposite parties to solve problems.

- all people treated others with courtesy, dignity, kindness, and respect.

- people could travel outside their state or country at least once a year.

- applying for and interviewing for jobs was as simple as possible. 

- people accepted the differences in others. 

- more emphasis was put on the importance of education.

- we spent more time encouraging, instead of discouraging, others.

- life was less about consuming resources and appreciating who and what we already have.

- people were encouraged to follow their dreams and creative aspirations.

- healthcare wasn't tied to peoples' employment.

- everyone took gun violence seriously.

- we accept others for who they are as individuals.

- record-breaking profits were shared fairly with the employees who helped drive those successes.

- if people were allowed to do what they love.

- we cared about the environment.

- there was no such thing as greed (or any of the 7 deadly sins, for that matter).

- we made more of an effort to be a part of our friends' and family members' lives.

- we all followed the golden rule.

Well, that's all for now. Until next time, have a great weekend and don't forget to be kind to one another.

Bucky's Favorite Marvel Super Villains

Yesterday I wrote about my favorite Marvel Super Heroes. Now it's time to write about my favorite Marvel Super Villains. Let's get started!

1. Doctor Doom (Victor Von Doom). Doc Doom has been my favorite Marvel villain for a long time. I love the fact that he never does the same thing twice. I've read about plenty of his exploits in titles like the Fantastic Four, Doom 2099, and the short-lived Super-Villain Team-Up, to name just a few. Writer/artist John Byrne's Fantastic Four #258 gave readers a bird's eye view of a day in the life of the Latverian monarch. He's impacted almost every character in the Marvel universe at some point, and I'm sure he'll continue to do so for many more decades.

2. Doctor Octopus. Otto Octavius is one of Spider-Man's most well-known adversaries, but he has tangled with other heroes from time to time as well. Sometimes he's been poised and confident, while in other escapades he's seemed self-conscious and full of doubt. He's a character who's definitely evolved (and even taken on the role of hero, when he took over Peter Parker's costumed identity in the Superior Spider-Man series).

3. Magneto (Erik Lensherr). Magneto started out as the primary foe for Charles Xavier's X-Men, but he's also played the hero role at different points. Reading his origin story gave me an understanding of his contempt for people who were not gifted with mutant abilities, but his reasoning didn't always seem sound to me. He's an interesting character that could easily straddle the line between hero and villain at any time.

4. Venom (Eddie Brock). When I first read the Marvel Secret Wars mini-series and the issues of Amazing Spider-Man that followed, I never would have imagined that Parker's symbiote super-suit would find its way to another host. Todd McFarlane did a great job of bringing Venom to life. He and Mark Bagley are the consummate Venom artists, in my opinion. Venom and Eddie have been through a lot ever since, and multiple other symbiotes have tagged along in the process. It's definitely been an interesting ride!

5. Sub-Mariner (Prince Namor). Namor is another of Marvel's oldest characters and is also someone who has been both hero and villain. Namor has been part of the Defenders, and Avengers and sided with the X-Men on occasion. He's also gone to war with T'Challa (the Black Panther) and his Wakandan natives and sided with Dr. Doom (in the aforementioned Super Villain Team-Up series) and others. I first started reading about his exploits as a villain, so that's why he's on this list. However, he can easily change sides on a whim. 

6. The Leader (Samuel Sterns). Sterns was an ordinary factory worker before his exposure to gamma radiation changed his intellect and his body. He's always been my favorite Hulk villain. He has gone through changes in the years since his debut in the Tales to Astonish split book, but he's never too far away from his gamma-spawned adversary. 

7. The Green Goblin (Norman Osborn). I remember picking up an issue of Amazing Spider-Man #121 years after seeing a Spidey cartoon about the villain's backstory. I prefer the Osborn that was best portrayed by Gil Kane and John Romita, Sr. and I was surprised when he returned from the dead in the 90's. He doesn't put on the goblin costume very much anymore (and there's been a bunch of goblins and hobgoblins ever since), but that doesn't make him any less of a cunning villain. 

8. Kraven the Hunter. I've just started reading the death of Kraven series, and it's interesting how human this character I once saw as a minor Spider-Man villain is. He's tussled with Spidey alone and as part of the Sinister Six and battled with Kraven, Tigra and other heroes in different books. I'm glad that he's back and part of the Marvel comic world once more, because I can't imagine what Parker's world would be like without him. 

9. Galactus. When I first started reading Marvel comics that weren't Star Wars, it seemed like Galactus was routinely trying to devour places like Earth, Battleworld, Galador and the Skrull homeworld in almost every issue. He also had a bevy of heralds (like the Silver Surfer, Air-Walker, Firelord, Nova and Terrax, to name just a few) who would inevitably leave his service after realizing his true intentions. He's not nearly the galactic threat that he once was, but it would be nice to see a return to form of this once-mighty threat. 

10. The Super Skrull. This skrull had the combined powers of all of the original Fantastic Four members. He would tangle with them and other heroes such as Spider-Man, Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers), Alpha Flight and others from time to time. He's not really considered to be much of a villain now, but back in the day he could be a considerable force to be reckoned with. 

Well, there you have it! Next time, I'll write about music. Got a few ideas in my head, but nothing concrete just yet. Until then, have a great weekend and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Bucky's Favorite Marvel Super Heroes

 Hi everyone,

Had the inspiration the other day to come up with a list of my favorite Marvel Super Heroes, so here we go!

1. The Incredible Hulk (Bruce Banner). I grew up watching the live action Hulk TV series that starred Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno. Several years after the show debuted, I got into reading the Hulk comic book series. I still have a long run of that title today. The Jekyll and Hyde struggle between Banner and the physical manifestation of his rage and anger is what initially attracted me to the character. Bill Mantlo and Sal Buscema's magnificent storytelling and art during the Hulk's gain and loss of Banner's intellect is one of the greatest comic book storylines that I've ever read. Both Banner and his gamma-spawned alter ego have continued to change and remain important parts of the Marvel Universe through the years.

2. Spider-Man (Peter Parker). Spidey has been my #2 favorite super hero for quite some time. I vividly remember seeing a cartoon that retold his classic origin story. Parker's humanity is probably what attracted me to the character. Sure, he has amazing powers and abilities, but he's also a normal human being. Pete has the same worries and fears as anyone else. He's a unique character, one that's I've watched on TV, at the movies and in his different comic book titles.

3. Captain America (Steve Rogers). Cap is one of Marvel's oldest characters, and I'm glad thatt he was revived in the 1960's. He just seemed like the epitome of what a Marvel hero should be like. I'm glad that his character has been inspiring other people and residents of the Marvelsphere for decades. 

4. Wolverine (James Howlett/Logan). I first learned about this character by seeing him in an old episode of Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends in the 80's. His character was much more fleshed out in the 90's X-Men cartoon and the comic titles during that time. I went back and read his first appearances in the Incredible Hulk and then went on to read several of his solo stories and exploits with the X-Men and Alpha Flight. It's interesting that when Magneto ripped the adamantium from his bones that Logan, in a very feral state, was the most human he'd ever been to me. 

5. ROM, Spaceknight. Even though ROM technically wasn't a super hero, I loved his comic book title. The first 30 issues by Mantlo and Buscema are some of the best comics I've ever read. Marvel is now reprinting those works in omnibus collections, so it's possible that this beloved character that was initially a gimmicky robot toy may return to interacting with Marvel characters once more. 

6. Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. I started reading this comic years ago after picking up a few issues from a comic book store's bargain bin. I was captured by the storylines and artwork. Doug Moench, Paul Gulacy, Mike Zeck, Gene Day and others brought many of Sax Rohmer's characters to live in ways that were very entertaining. I'm glad that the character, who was largely forgotten after that title was cancelled, is enjoying a resurgence.

7. Luke Cage. I first started reading about this character in his own magazine, which was later expanded to add Iron Fist, after Danny Rand's own title was cancelled after 15 issues. Luke's a no-nonsense dude that's sometimes overlooked and underappreciated. 

8. The Thing. I read a lot of issue of Marvel Two-In-One growing up, and still have most issues of that title's run. Ben is tough on the outside but gentle on the inside. I kinda feel bad that he's never been able to remain human for long stretches of time, but maybe that's something that's just not meant to be. He's been an important member of the Fantastic Four and the Marvel world for a very long time, and I don't see that ever changing.

9. Daredevil. I didn't know much about this blind superhero at first, but he's someone who often flies under the radar. It wasn't until renowned creators like Frank Miller and John Romita Jr. put their own unique spins on the character that I started paying attention. The first Typhoid Mary storyline is well worth reading. 

10. She-Hulk. Rumor has it that Stan Lee developed this character to prevent a television studio from creating someone similar to it. At first, I didn't know what to think about Bruce Banner's cousin, who was so unlike him in many ways. I like that her comics have always had a sense of humor and that Jennifer Walters has mostly been able to transform back and forth at will. 

Well, there you have it: my 10 favorite Marvel super heroes! Next time, I'll write about my favorite Marvel Super Villains. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.