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'Fiddler in the Basement'
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Subject: 'Fiddler in the Basement' From: Rick Fielding Date: 26 Dec 99 - 03:49 AM Well we had quite a Christmas. A fine group of old and new friends. Ate lots of food, Drank lots of homemade beer and mulled wine. Jeri even brought some serious Scotch from New Hampshire that everyone else except yours truly ooohed and awwwwed about. (I wouldn't know scotch from Dago Red) We played some "Dickens Trivia", did something called secret Santa, and had a good old fashioned Jam session. Mose and Tony and I have been playing for years and make our livings at it. Marcie and Banjo Bonnie are real new at this kind of thing but really got into the spirit, and Jeri made lovely sounds on her fiddle. The sweetie brought up an extra one for me since I gave mine away in frustration 5 years ago. The music was wonderful! I even managed to talk a few people into playing table hockey (one of my passions) but sad to say they were seriously overmatched! (bring on the Rooskies, I'm ready for 'em!) After all the guests had left Jeri, and I played fiddle tunes and Duckboots rested her very tired tootsies, and tried to salvage what was left of the expensive scotch. As I write this, I can hear Jeri still down in the music room faintly playing plaintive airs, and it makes me feel very lucky this Christmas. I'd love to know what music my Mudcat friends played this holiday night. And to wish us all the best of luck in our lives this coming year. Hopefully next year a couple more "long distance" guests will be able to join our little "Toronto Family".
Rick
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Subject: Lyr Add: CHRISTMAS IN THE ALICE (Greg Hastings) From: Ted from Australia Date: 26 Dec 99 - 05:03 AM Some friends and I played and sang all the usual Carols and Xmas songs (Silent Night through to Rudolph. plus this one by a friend. Regards and Peace. CHRISTMAS IN THE ALICE (Greg Hastings) Key C Christmas in the Alice is like no other place I know. Santa doesn't like it much 'cause there isn't any snow. His reindeer get all grumpy as the waterholes go dry, For when it's stinkin' hot down here its bloody hard to fly. Dressed up like a polar bear isn't very wise. His nose gets even redder and the sweat runs in his eyes. Once he nearly missed us and his nose began to freak. By the time he turned the whole thing 'round he'd got to Tennant Creek He always seems to make it & he's full of Christmas cheer, For when he's finally landed, he's guaranteed a beer. He leaves behind his presents with a cheery ho-ho smile, Then they pour him back upon his sled and off he roars in style. Now someone once asked him if he'd ever lived in fear Of ever being caught one day drunk in charge of deer. He gave a little chuckle with a twinkle in his eye. You may have cops with bags down here but none of them can fly. And then there was this rumour, or so I’ve heard it said. He once used six white boomers to pull along his sled. He thought it was a good idea while travelling in the bush, But they hopped off in the scrub one day and left him there to push So if you should spend Christmas out in Alice Springs, Be very well prepared, mate, for some bloody funny things: Big fat men in polar suits screaming across the sky, And sweaty grumpy reindeers complaining as they fly. Through all the dust, the flies, the heat, and everything it brings, Carrying all the pressies out back to Alice Springs. I told to you this story 'cause I thought you all should know, Santa doesn't like it much 'cause there isn't any snow. |
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Subject: RE: 'Fiddler in the Basement' From: Dave Swan Date: 26 Dec 99 - 12:56 PM Pam & I had about a two hour drive home from my brother's house. We sang on the way home. Worked on some harmonies and just noodled around. Very pleasant. Got home to warm, friendly messages on the answering machine. E.S. |
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Subject: RE: 'Fiddler in the Basement' From: paddymac Date: 26 Dec 99 - 01:57 PM Gee, Rick - when I saw the name of this thread I wasn't sure if you were making a recommendation or reporting some dastardly deed. Glad to see I was mistaken. My fiddler friend had a bit much o' the drink taken and wound up spending the night on a lazy-boy in my livingroom. Pleasant company for breakfast in the morn, however. Hope all in Mudland had an enjoyable weekend. |
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Subject: RE: 'Fiddler in the Basement' From: Rick Fielding Date: 26 Dec 99 - 03:15 PM Hep me! Hep me! I'm being held hostage in Rick and Heather's basement! First they had me polish the silver, and then braid their cats' fur,(they all have their Christmas cornrows now) after that I had to tune every instrument, including the tipples! After consuming a barrel of "Newfie Screech" they forced me to join the Canadian Airforce, and now I'm going to be flying in the "Top Gun eh?" squadron! They've given me my own tri-plane and I'll be doing a bombing run over Bremen Ohio this afternoon! Signed serial # 3965011378. aka. Jeri!
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Subject: RE: 'Fiddler in the Basement' From: Willie-O Date: 26 Dec 99 - 05:29 PM glad to see they have apparently lifted the municipal bylaw against having fun in Toronto The Good...perhaps such progressive abandonment will get to Ottawa one day! Have a good time at the Tranzac tomorrow. Best Wishes from the Valley Bill C |
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Subject: RE: 'Fiddler in the Basement' From: Little Neophyte Date: 26 Dec 99 - 06:38 PM Banjo Bonnie saw my plea for help and rescued me from the Fieldings' basement, and we've been having a great time walking around Toronto and talking. Not one minute too late, as Rick was starting to talk about tipple lessons, and world domination and stuff like that. |
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Subject: RE: 'Fiddler in the Basement' From: Rick Fielding Date: 26 Dec 99 - 06:45 PM You're in good hands...but your cell is ready for you when you return! Rick and Heather |
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Subject: RE: 'Fiddler in the Basement' From: Big Mick Date: 26 Dec 99 - 06:58 PM Dammit, Rick. You were not, under any circumstances supposed to let her out on the streets. We may never get her back in the States now. And I just saw on the evening news that a deranged maniac in a Steerman Biplane has bombed Bremen, Ohio with leftover turkey and sauerkraut. The plane, purportedly had a red Maple Leaf insignia on the side, and a dragonfly insignia on its wing. Mick |
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Subject: RE: 'Fiddler in the Basement' From: catspaw49 Date: 26 Dec 99 - 08:02 PM Ohmygawd.......Now I understand. I was returning from a run to the little "Shoot and Scoot" since we were out of milk and I found the Reg boys in company with Paw and Cletus sitting in a vacant lot by the sewage plant, singing Carols, eating some really disgusting, odiferous food, and drinking from Mason jars. They were no longer pissed at me for throwing their collective asses out after the incident with my outdoor lights on Christmas Eve. When I asked about what they were doing they jubilantly and happily told me a tale of the Reg boys brother sending them dinner from Toronto. Even ahd some long winded epic about A Santa Claus who looked like Jeri flying a red biplane. I just figured they were drunk....they were of course....but now I see the truth. They oughta' be real ripe to go see Buford in the hospital later. ............And they said to tell Rick thanks and they'll be coming to see him real soon and bring Paw and Cletus...Buford too if the reattachment of his fried wienie is sucessful and he's out and about. Spaw |
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Subject: RE: 'Fiddler in the Basement' From: Rick Fielding Date: 26 Dec 99 - 11:29 PM Well Jeri just got back from Bonjo Bannie's. They went out and sampled some tradional Canadian cuisine...Thai, I believe. Perhaps tomorrow we'll give her a REAL slice of Canadiana....MacDonalds' for breakfast, tour a Walmart, The Colonel's for lunch, Starbuck's for coffee, and then we'll cruise Barnes and Noble, and before heading to the Tranzac (an Aussie club) we'll take in a Tom Cruise movie. Ahhh I love Canada, it's just like the States without Jerry Falwell and Jimmie Swaggert! Rick |
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Subject: RE: 'Fiddler in the Basement' From: Little Neophyte Date: 27 Dec 99 - 09:33 AM Why Rick, I gave Jeri a typical Jewish Canadian Meal. All you have to do for that is make reservations. BB |
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Subject: RE: 'Fiddler in the Basement' From: MMario Date: 27 Dec 99 - 09:51 AM BB - do you have a good recipe for reservations? Mine always turn out half-baked.... MMario |
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Subject: RE: 'Fiddler in the Basement' From: Little Neophyte Date: 27 Dec 99 - 12:19 PM Guidelines for Canadian Jewish Style Reservations: Plan to dine in good company. Must have good portion size for the price. Entrees must be 'To Die For' flavourful. The restaurant is packed due to it's excellent reputation. Instead of asking "what's for dinner?" say "where are we going tonight?" BB
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Subject: RE: 'Fiddler in the Basement' From: Micca Date: 27 Dec 99 - 01:17 PM Hey Bonnie do you know the "Armadillo" in Toronto?(see my picture in bbcs resources the second one is there) they serve Margaritas in a goldfish bowl on a stem!!!! Noisy but fun. Micca |
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Subject: RE: 'Fiddler in the Basement' From: Rick Fielding Date: 27 Dec 99 - 01:40 PM I'm still having a great time. Folks in Toronto really know how to roll out the welcome wagon. (When I get home, I plan on writing everything down so I can remember it years from now.) I had a wonderful time visiting with Bonnie - I felt like I'd known her for years. (sounds like almost all of my Mudcatter meetings.) The food was "to die for." She gave me a souvenir - a beautiful little maple leave pin made of the copper from the former roof of the parliment building. I love it! Jeri, from Rick's computer. (When I win a huge amount of money, I'm going to buy a second home in Canada, eh?!) |
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Subject: RE: 'Fiddler in the Basement' From: catspaw49 Date: 27 Dec 99 - 01:52 PM Frankly Jeri, I was hoping that when you won that huge amount of money, you'd offer to support me in the style to which I'd like to become accustomed. Spaw |
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Subject: RE: 'Fiddler in the Basement' From: paddymac Date: 27 Dec 99 - 03:58 PM Rick - thought you might like to know that President Clinton will soon be announcing his expanded mission for the Peace Corps. He's creating a new branch of the organization aimed at furthering peace and harmony by sharing our vast theological wealth with friendly nations around the world. The word on the street is that the first emmissaries of theological freedom are likely to be Jerry and Jimmy. They will be given one-way tickets to Toronto as a launch for their world-wide tour. Canadian officialdom has apparently agreed to help in the project by arranging a second leg of the trip. Rumor has it they've been in negotiations with the Khmer Rouge and Teheran, but no official confirmation yet. You might see if you can learn anything further from your "moles" within the Canadian establishment. There is also an as yet unverified rumor than the Provincial government in Quebec is interested in underwriting the US-Canadian leg of the excursion so that they can send the boys to the other provinces as an expression of solidarity. The smart investor would move quickly to corner the Canadian market for knee pads. Just in case the "Jim & Jerry Show" doesn't sell them out, there is speculation the "Bill and Monica Lunch & Learn Show" will be going on tour after the inauguration in January 2001, and they are reportedly looking at a Toronto launch as well. Happy New Year! |
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Subject: RE: 'Fiddler in the Basement' From: Little Neophyte Date: 27 Dec 99 - 08:41 PM Micca, thanks for the suggestions. I hope the Armadillo gave those goldfish bowls a good scrubbing first. Have you ever been to Le Petite Gourmet? The tables are so small that they have the bread baskets on a pully system. You pull down on a rope to lower the basket from above your table when you want a piece of bread. BB |
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Subject: RE: 'Fiddler in the Basement' From: Micca Date: 28 Dec 99 - 05:56 AM Bonnie, be warned it does get a bit "line dancerish" on some nights and sports fanish before games at the "Giant Meringue". Liz the Squeak once described someone where she worked as having intelligence" somewhere between a mollusc and a line dancer" so I don't think she was being flattering? But those margueritas are wonderful!!! the food was good. Next time I am in Toronto we will try this place with the "self raising" bread, Important Question for me, What is the Wine List like ? |
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Subject: RE: 'Fiddler in the Basement' From: Little Neophyte Date: 28 Dec 99 - 09:00 AM Micca, if you enjoy good wine then I would suggest some other places to explore. Dining out is one of my specialities. I am not one for the loud, chattery bar type atmosphere. When I go out for dinner, I enjoy a meaningful conversation, great wine, food (I would never attempt to cook at home) prepared with care, in a warm or tasteful atmosphere. BB
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Subject: RE: 'Fiddler in the Basement' From: Neil Lowe Date: 28 Dec 99 - 09:44 AM In response to your inquiry, Rick: I sat down with a John Prine anthology and worked through about sixty minutes' worth of his songs, none of which had anything to do with the holidays, except for maybe "Christmas In Prison:" It was Christmas in prison, And the food was real good, We had turkey and pistols, Carved out of wood. (What can I say? I'm weird like that) Fun stuff to play along to, because structurally the songs don't progress much farther than the three or four "cowboy" chords...easy to pick up, just have to switch keys occasionally. Suits my ability level perfectly. "Sam Stone" has to be one of the saddest songs ever written, IMO..."Hello In There" is sad too, but fun to fingerpick along with. And one of my all-time favorites, because Prine weaves a joke into the lyrics, which I thought would be real hard to do: "The Late John Garfield Blues." It should be apparent I like his older stuff a little better. And I was all ready to check out Toronto, based on your "Canadiana" description (I agree with Tom Waits: the best use for a stove is as a big cigarette lighter) until I read paddymac's post and realized that if Canada was getting Jimmy and Jerry too, there was no reason for me to leave. For Canada's sake, I hope it's just a vicious rumor. Regards, Neil (bringing up the rear, as usual) |
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