Random Thoughts on Friday

Oh Canada!  I have never been ashamed of my patriotism.....  I love America....  But, I am a huge fan of Canada too.

I think it started in the early 90s.  Growing up in very rural Kentucky, we couldn't get cable.  It wasn't available in our area.  Well, we found out we could get a satellite dish that would offer more channels!

The dishes were huge.  It reminded me of the big dishes seen in Empire Strike Back on Hoth.  Also, if people were in our backyard, we would check before changing channels- the dish moving around COULD hurt someone.

We couldn't get MTV, BUT we COULD get MuchMusic out of Canada.  Close enough.  Of course, Canadian Music is SLIGHTLY different from what Americans are used to.

Big rock and pop stars in the US are pretty much always big in Canada too, but the reverse isn't always true.  

The Guess Who, Rush, and the Barenaked Ladies found success in the US, among others.  Some great bands, however, never could get that same momentum.

You could maybe assume that some bands are just too Canadian.  Excessive references to hockey, and towns totally unfamiliar to Americans might explain some of that.

Watching MuchMusic back in the 90s...  well, I thought The Northern Pikes and Jane Siberry (two of my favorite Canadian artists) would take over America.  I thought Barenaked Ladies were too goofy for their southern neighbors and would never make it.  A Paula Abdul knock off singer in Canada going by "Alanis" repackaged her act and Alanis Morissette would be one of the biggest acts in the world.

Quick, without thinking- name the greatest band from Canada.  I can almost guarantee you, that Canadians and Americans will have different answers.

Americans will likely answer Rush, thought the Band, or one of the other bands I mentioned earlier might come up.

If you are Canadian, there is really only one answer- The Tragically Hip.  If you are American, you likely are totally unfamiliar with that one.

I'm not even going to try to explain that here, but the Tragically Hip are very important to Canada and the death of their irreplaceable lead singer in 2017 was a national tragedy.  Their last concert, broadcast on many platforms, we estimated to have been watched by a third of the population of the country.  The Prime Minister had a press conference on the day he died.

I have told people that I feel like Canadians put more into their music.  The lyrics are more poetic and emotional, in my opinion.

I have found that I love Canadian TV shows a lot too.  Heartland (a show about a family and horses, in a very brief nutshell) has a big following worldwide.  The scenery on the show is always beautiful.  The Murdoch Mysteries is a detective show set in the 1890s that is crafty and smart.  I love their vintage postcard like settings.  Co-star of the Murdoch Files, Jonny Harris has his own show, Still Standing, which showcases the wonderful small communities of Canada.

Those are about my three most favorite shows, all Canadian.

6 miles to go

 On our road trips, my wife and I disagree on when to stop for gas.  She starts thinking about it when she gets down to half a tank.  I like to wait until the last minute.

On a recent rural trip.....  I almost cut it too close.

This was a new record for me.  My previous record was 11 miles.

Random Thoughts on Friday

 I was reminded of a funny (and weird) story by a friend recently....

Many years ago, I was working for a company that had about 200 employees.  It was a nice job, and I am still friends with a lot of people from that time.  Other details of the job are unimportant for this story.

SO, a new guy started at this job.  He seemed very nice and pleasant.  Normal, for the most part.

I should say here though, he was...  well, nerdy, but that was OK.  Most of us at this job were that way.  This guy kind of dressed like Pee Wee Herman though.  He kind of went out of his way to be conspicuously nerdy.

Some of my coworkers kind of approached me and said there was something off about the guy.  At first, I thought maybe they were being mean, and just didn't like the guy (they weren't like that though).  A couple of coworkers said he gave them "the creeps."

Maybe those coworkers were just messing with me about the new guy.  I would defend the guy each time- telling them that he seemed pleasant and professional.

WELL...

Something happened as things tend to do at companies.  Someone made a formal sexual harassment complaint.

The complaint did not involve anyone I knew, and the new guy was not involved either.  Still, there was a big company meeting featuring an expected and appropriate lecture from the company's president.

The president made it very clear that there would be zero tolerance for any jokes, innuendoes, or other comments that could be offensive.

If you have ever been through one of these meetings in your career, you know that the best thing to do is just to sit there and listen.  No need for questions or commentary.

Well, during the president's speech the Pee Wee Herman lookalike aggressively raised his hand.  The president tried to ignore him for a minute or two, but the guy was waving his hand like a 2nd grader needing to go to the bathroom.

Raising his hand was strange on its own.  My coworkers literally looked over at me.  One silently mouthed "WE TOLD YOU!"

The president finally asked the guy what was so important.

The new coworker then asked a strange question, making it clear that he thought a zero-tolerance policy was harsh.  He said something like, "well what if it is just a little joke?  I have been at other places where someone gets all bent out of shape about a dirty joke and I don't think that's right...."

The guy would have gone on longer, but the president firmly cut him off.

I had to admit to my friends that they were obviously correct about the guy.  Literally trying to make an argument that dirty jokes should be tolerated during a companywide meeting like that did not go well for the new hire.

I did distance myself from the guy after that.  I don't know exactly what happened, but he was out of the company shortly after.

"Strange Kentucky Travels: The Haunted and Unexplained" by James Ambs

I guess it isn't too vain to let you know that I have written a book.  It has been out for a few months now, and I want to be humble....  but I am very proud of it.

I will tell you a little about why I wrote the book, and the book itself.

I have read a ton of weird and strange books.  The more obscure, the more regional and local- the better.  I get so excited when I travel, and I find some odd book about that place's legends.  The more DIY, the better.

I have a nice collection of such books.  If you have ever seen my bookshelves (and various bookstacks throughout my house) you know.
 

I organize them by state too.  All states are represented, even the few I haven't visited yet.  Sure, I have an impressive collection of Civil War books, and biographies of politicians....  but most of my books are about bigfoot, ghosts, haunted houses and just strange stories.

There are some regional authors I love (Vermont's Joseph Citro, Troy Taylor from Illinois, and Kentucky's own Keven McQueen are well represented in my collection).  There are also many self-published books.  Some are full of misspellings and have some errors- but thats OK- it gives them character.

I treasure some of those unedited self-publications...  some of them held together by staples.

Some are better than others.  I have been frustrated by some books that have mostly reprinted Wikipedia articles while utilizing Wikicommons and other public domain photos.

I was born in Owensboro.  I have lived most of my life in Kentucky.  I am constantly taking road trips throughout the state.....  I kind of felt like I was uniquely qualified to write a very authentic book on some of the strange stories in Kentucky.

So, I started writing about my favorite "weird" spots in Kentucky.  I started organizing my pictures (I have tens of thousands).  I started work on putting my book together.

It became a bit of an obsession.  There are literally hundreds of interesting and strange places, and stories.  The book I wanted to write would be thousands of pages.  Even edited down, I was looking at hundreds.

I have tried to be selective too.  A friend of a friend's story about a shadow person their grandma saw was not what I wanted to include.  I wanted to only include the well-known, and well documented stories.

Also, I wanted this to be a bit of a travel guide.  So, I give a brief retelling of the legend, then I try to give addresses of places associated with the legends.  I tell about my own experiences at each site (I have been to all of them- most of them many times).  If there is a cool shop or coffee shop there, well, I will mention it too!

AND, I have included photos, all taken by me (or someone in my party during a visit).  Again, I wanted this to be real, authentic, and very DIY.  No wiki sources here.  Pictures are in color too.

"Strange Kentucky Travels:  The Haunted and Unexplained" has info on the hauntings at Carter Caves, Waverly Hills, The Seelbach Hotel, Leah Smock, Pearl Bryan and Bobby Mackey's Music World, Caver Floyd Collins, and Portal 31.  I have a chapter on the last legal public hanging in the US, which happened in Owensboro....  a story I grew up with.  There is a chapter on the legends of the Red River Gorge.  I also included a chapter on Adams Tennessee's Bell Witch.  Yes, that legend is generally not associated with Kentucky, but it is only a few miles out of the state.  Most Kentuckians can visit Adams in a day or weekend trip easily.

I am working on more volumes.

Check it out and let me know what you think.  Thanks!

Random Thoughts on Friday

 Well, I honestly don't have a lot to say at the moment.  It has been a crazy week here in Kentucky, and in much of the country.  Snow around my car turned to ice, and my car was literally frozen to my driveway for several days!

That's OK though, since I pretty much work from home all the time now.  Still, it was nice getting out the last couple of days, now that the snow is melting.

It was getting to me though.

On a different note- for some reason I can't upload my youtube videos to blogger the same way anymore.  I can add the link, but not visual like before.

AND, if you have watched my videos (thank you!) I HAVE picked up some nicer equipment, including a GoPro!  

I am experimenting with audio again, after many years too.  I picked up a Tascam recorder which is going to be fun.  It can tape for hours with no problem, and the quality is great.  I used to record on minidiscs years ago.  I still have old recording that I haven't transferred.  Any other audio fans out there?

Bad Ass Coffee in Lexington Kentucky- being festive for February!

 https://youtu.be/Px52Aku9AOQ

I stopped by Bad Ass Coffee in Lexington.  They were doing some sweet things for the Valentine's season!

Mellow Mushroom Pizza Franklin Tennessee 2025

https://youtu.be/LjD2I5PHJmc

 We stopped by the always fun, unique and delicious Mellow Mushroom in Franklin Tennessee!

Mariam Turkish Coffee Fishers Indiana

 Check out Mariam Coffee, a great Turkish Coffee place in Fishers Indiana!

https://youtu.be/3tjMbKUnuCk

Von Saum aka Captain Hook in Fishers Indiana again

 I worried that my previous video covering the final resting place of Christian children's TV show host Von Saum was a little confusing.  Here is some more info from you youtube channel.

Ted's Sporting Goods in Columbia Tennessee

Check out my youtube video on Ted's Sporting Goods in Columbia Tennessee!

Duck River Books Columbia Tennessee 2025

I've mentioned it before, but I really love Duck River Books in Columbia Tennessee.

Random Thoughts on Friday: Taking Vacations with Friends

 Last year, we went to Arizona with our friends and their kids.  WE have had these friends for years.  I think I brought it up before that we were in Arizona almost 2 decades earlier with the same couple, before they had their 1st daughter.

These friends are great and we have a lot of fun with them.  Their 2 kids are great too; they are sweet, appreciative, and still amazed by history and national parks.  They haven't been brought up glued to a phone or TV.

Still, I thought my pal Nate was joking when he texted asking where we were going on vacation this year.  

I sent him a message about some trips and times we had been considering.  Within a few hours, we had another trip planned with the same friends for this year.

We move a lot at the same speed.  We like to get up early and get going.  We like parks and taking our time.  We agree on a lot of stuff.

I am glad that we have a lot of friends that are compatible for road trips.

Spring Hill Tennessee December 2025

We drove through Spring Hill Tennessee again recently!

Fainting Goat Coffee Franklin Tennessee

In December of 2025, we made another stop at one of my all time favorite coffee places, Fainting Goat in Franklin Tennessee!

Columbia Tennessee December 2025

We had another great visit to Columbia Tennessee in December, 2025!

Random Thoughts on Friday: ur First Arizona Trip

 And, one last Arizona story before we leave the state.......

I have briefly mentioned this story many times....  But I love telling this one.  Stop me if I have told ya before.

Back in 2004 we lived in Cleveland.  At that time in our life, anytime we had vacation, we would head back to Kentucky to see my family.  I wasn't obsessed with travel the way I am now.

Anyway, my wife had been working hard at her job, and they loved her.  They decided to send her to Phoenix for a training.  They made it very clear that they would be paying for a rental car, and all of her expenses.  They even strongly suggested to her that if she wanted to take her husband that would be fine.  We would have to buy my plane ticket, but if her food expenses were a little high, they wouldn't mind.

Honestly, at first I was going to pass.  I thought I might still head south and see the family while my wife went to Arizona.  Who wanted to go to Arizona anyway, isn't that state just a big, dusty desert?

I thought about it though and figured it would be a rare (and affordable) opportunity to see somewhere new that was very foreign to me.  I ended up going.

Her work put us up at the Squaw Peak Hilton Resort (since renamed to the more politically correct Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak) and it was very nice.

My wife would go to her training each day and I would go to a cute coffee shop down the road about a mile, Plantation Coffee, and read.  I would get lunch at the Blimpie's sub shop next door and return to the hotel.  They have a great lazy river at the resort, and I would float around the rest of the day.

In the evening my wife and I would explore Phoenix.  We would also have enough free time to explore Sedona and the Grand Canyon.

We were driving back to the resort from Sedona one night, and we would see a shooting star (such clear skies in that area) while Thin Lizzy's "Cowboy Song" was on the radio.

We had an incredible time.  My feelings on travel were pushed forward and the whole trip was pure magic.  Arizona is still a very special place for us, and I need to get there more.

 

Wupatki National Monument Arizona

We had a nice visit to Wupatki National Monument in Arizona in 2025!

Queen Beanery Peebles Ohio 2025

Check out the Queen Beanery Coffee Shop in Peebles Ohio!

Franklin Tennessee December 2025

We had a great time in Franklin Tennessee at Christmas this year!

Fainting Goat Coffee Spring Hill Tennessee 2025

And we visited Spring Hill Tennessee AND Fainting Goat Coffee again!

Hotel Nickel Plate Fishers Indiana 2025

We had another great stay at the Nickel Plate Hotel in Fishers Indiana!

Logos Theatre at the Ark Encounter for "The Lion the Witch and the Wardr...

We have mentioned the Logos Theatre before...  we were able to enjoy their latest production at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown Kentucky recently.  They did CS Lewis' "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe"!

Random Thoughts on Friday: The Concert Experience

 I was talking to my old pal James in Cleveland.  We lived in that town, as I have mentioned before, for nearly a decade at the end of the 90s.

I look at it as an adventure.  We had fun, though it could get rough at times.  We met a lot of nice people we are still friends with.

I did enjoy ( and I do miss) the concerts there.  There was a time in my life where I would go to more than one concert a week.  

There were large venues and small ones.  Big names might play the stadium or larger theaters.  Local acts, or bands that hadn't done a lot in a while might play smaller clubs.

I have a pretty cool collection of ticket stubs, flyers, signed CDs, t-shirts, and other items from my concert days.  I have just about stopped going to concerts at all at this point though.

My friend James still goes at times but not like he used to.  The ticket prices are ridiculous, and he brought up the whole dynamic pricing thing, venue security, etc.

Not to sound like a grumpy old man, but its not the same now.

Coffee Crossing Sellersburg Indiana December 2025

I love the Indiana coffee chain "Coffee Crossing".  This is the Sellersburg Location, near Louisville.

Newspaper Rock, Petrified Forest, AZ

"Halfway between the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest, nead Adamana, one of the finest specimens of ancient writings (pictographs) to be found in America.  These writings are the expressions of an unknown primitive people of long, long ago.  Signs along the highway will direct you to them."