Michael Embry's Blog, page 48

St. Patrick's Day

Ireland castleBack in 2004 I spent a week in Ireland, visiting such places as Killarney, Dingle, and the Cliffs of Moher. Although it was nearly nine years ago, it seems like the recent past.

That's because Ireland made such a wonderful impression on me. I can still see the checkered-green landscape as I flew in to Shannon International Airport.

DingleIt was a horse-themed trip as I, along with three other journalists, visited riding stables, horse trails and other things related to that majestic animal. I also found Ireland and Kentucky to be similar, aside from horses, as to landscape and the friendliness of the people.

But being an island nation, Ireland has rugged coastlines and some other characteristics such as the Burrens that make it such a beautiful place. And they also have Guinness.

Cliffs of MoherI hope to return to Ireland someday. I would actually like to spend about a month or so there (or longer), after I retire from my everyday job, and write.

If you ever get an opportunity to travel to Ireland, do it! You'll never regret it.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Bluegrass Madness

While most basketball fans think of the NCAA tournament as March Madness, many Kentuckians will tell you that the Kentucky State High School Basketball Tournament just as big of a deal.
Teams across the Bluegrass state compete in district and regional tourneys, hoping to earn a coveted spot in the Sweet 16 at Rupp Arena in Lexington.
This year the championship was played on Sunday, the first time in tourney history, and more than 17,000 fans watched Madison Central rally from a 16-point deficit to post a 65-64 victory over favored Louisville Ballard.
It was a memorable event for Madison Central coach Allen Feldhaus Jr., who played on Mason County's squad that lost to Simon Kenton in 1981 title game before more than 21,000 fans. His dad, Allen Feldhaus, was his coach.
The boys state tournament has been held annually since 1916, with the first officially sanctioned tourney by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association two years later. 
March Madness continues this week with the girls state tourney at Diddle Arena in Bowling Green. It's been an annual affair since 1975 and brings the same degree of competitiveness as well as fervor from the fans.
The boys and girls tournaments are special for the teams, schools, counties, towns and cities that are represented as well as the cheerleaders and fans who support them to the final horn.
The Madison Central boys received a heroes welcome in Richmond including a parade aboard fire trucks through the center of town. It's an experience the players, students and community will never forget. And no doubt the girls champion will be accorded the same reception when they return to their hometown this weekend.


Until the next time...

Story Songs: Come A Little Bit Closer

One of the American groups that survived the British Invasion in the 1960s was Jay and the Americans. They put together a string of hits including "Only In America," "Let's Lock the Door," "Cara Mia" and "She Cried."
But their biggest hit was "Come A Little Bit Closer," written by Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart and Wes Farrell, that reached No. 3 on the Billboard chart in 1964.

The song is about a guy who falls for a sexy temptress:

"In a little cafe just the other side of the border
She was just sitting there givin' me looks that made my mouth water
So I started walking her way
She belonged to bad man, Jose
And I knew, yes I knew I should leave
When I heard her say, yeah"

And what did she say?

"Come a little bit closer
You're my kind of man
So big and so strong
Come a little bit closer
I'm all alone
And the night is so long"

So one thing leads to another:

"So we started to dance
In my arms, she felt so inviting
That I just couldn't resist
Just one little kiss so exciting"

And then he's told that Jose is in the neighborhood but he can't break away from her spell until the cafe becomes quiet. Jose has arrived!

"Then the music stopped
When I looked the cafe was empty
Then I heard Jose say
'Man you know you're in trouble plenty'
So I dropped my drink from my hand
And through the window I ran"

And as he left the cafe, he could hear the woman tell Jose:

"Come a little bit closer
You're my kind of man
So big and so strong
Come a little bit closer
I'm all alone
And the night is so long"

Oh, well....

Jay and the Americans were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, located in Sharon, Pa.,  in 2002.

"Come A Little Bit Closer" lyrics

Final Curtain?

Last week I received an email from the Kentucky Repertory Theatre. The subject line read: "Thanks for the memories."
And with those words, I learned that the little theatre in Horse Cave that could stage wonderful productions for 36 years would not have a 2013 season. The email said: "Economic pressures have made it impossible to continue." The Lexington Herald-Leader's Rich Copley wrote an excellent article about the theatre's rich history last week.
I'm saddened by the news. The last play I saw at KRT was the excellent musical "Floyd Collins" in last fall. I was looking forward to a new season.
"Our theatre is not dead," the email stated. "It lives on in the memories of hundreds of thousands of patrons; in our influence on theatre in the region, state and nation; in the performers who share with the world the art they honed on our stage; and especially in the hundreds of thousands of young people who experienced live, professional theatre in rural Kentucky."
I certainly hope theatre lovers as well as those who understand the importance of the arts will rally to the aid of KRT -- and raise money so the little theatre will live on as more than a memory.
Until the next time...

Edgy or Over the Edge?

After watching the Academy Awards last Sunday evening, it made me think about issues of self-censorship and age appropriateness.I know that Seth MacFarlane, who served as master of ceremonies, is a cutting-edge kind of guy. That’s probably the main reason he was selected to M.C. the program, hoping his unpredictability factor would attract viewers. And the ratings were up.But was he edgy or did he go over the edge?I suppose that’s a matter of taste, something that's very subjective. I’ve read comments by viewers on various websites. Some thought he was great, something thought he was hilarious, something that he was terrible, and some wondered what he was thinking with his comments.As it pertains to writing, I wondered if he and his team of writers really gave more than superficial thought to how folks would react to his quips and production numbers?Let me say here that I like MacFarlane. I think he's smart, funny, outrageous. I thought his movie, "Ted," was hilarious. And I think the Ted skit with Mark Wahlberg was one of the highlights of the Oscars telecast. But I thought the joke about actor John Wilkes Booth getting into Abraham Lincoln's head was in poor taste - and I don't care if it happened nearly 150 years ago. It was a tragedy in 1865, and not something to laugh about in 2013. I don't hear people joking about Pearl Harbor, John F. Kennedy, or attacks on 9-11. The opening number, the silly and sophomoric "We Saw Your Boobs," would have been more appropriate for a PG-13 movie, premium cable, or late-night commercial TV after the kiddies have gone to bed. At the least, perhaps a parental warning before the telecast.But let me say that I was impressed with MacFarlane's singing and dancing. As for the Oscars, I thought the program was too long. The salute to the 50th anniversary of the James Bond franchise was dreadful with the exception of Shirley Bassey and Adele.  I really don't know why there must be as full-blown production. I think most people would be content with a broadcast of no longer than two hours, simply showcasing the movies and stars.What are your thoughts?Until the next time...

Movie Madness

I know a lot of folks will be watching the 85th annual Academy Awards show on TV this weekend. I must admit that I have only a casual interest in who wins what. 
I've only seen one of the nominated movies for Best Picture ("Lincoln") but I hope to see the some of the others on commercial TV, cable or Netflix. 
This may sound crazy, but other than Best Picture,  I think the only other awards that truly merit consideration are those in the non-acting categories such as director, cinematography, costume design, visual effects, and writing.
As for acting, it's simply part of the finished product. How many takes did it take for an actor to nail a scene? What about the lighting? Maybe the sound? If those elements aren't right, then perhaps the words coming out of the actor's mouth, or even his movements, are minimized or overlooked. The actor is simply a small part of the whole.
If an actor blows a scene on camera, it will be redone until it's right (at least in the director's eyes). For those who attend stage plays, if an actor messes up, it's there for everyone in the audience to see. The actor can only fix the problem in the next production of the play.
That's not to say I don't appreciate good acting. I just think so much rides in the hands of the director and production crew that the acting element is overrated when the film reaches the silver screen.
Your thoughts?  
Until the next time...

National Library Lovers' Month

I suppose it's appropriate to have National Library Lovers' Month during the same month of Valentine's Day.
For those who love to read and participate in the various activities at their local library, there is a passion among patrons in their support of the facility and all it does for their communities.
 I've always considered the library one of the main hubs of any city. In fact, I wouldn't want to live in a city that didn't have a good library. Often when I visit towns in Kentucky, I'll stop by libraries and browse through their collections.
For authors and readers, a library is a great place for readings and book discussions. Authors also can sign copies of their latest book.
I've been fortunate to reside in places in Kentucky with excellent libraries, such as the Paul Sawyier Public Library in Frankfort, Lexington Public Library, and Louisville Free Public Library.
The Friends and Foundations of California Libraries has these recommendations to show your love: Contribute, Be a Friend, Volunteer, and Promote.
If you get a chance over the next couple weeks, go over to you local library and show your love!
Until the next time...

Love Songs

Since it's Valentine's Day I thought it would be nice to share some of my favorite love songs.
While some folks prefer love ballads, you'll see that I enjoy all kinds including ballads, country, rock, and pop. It's the words and melody that move me. I like some that are sweet, some that are sappy, and some that are thoughtful. As the Beatles sang, "All you need is love"

I've included a few lines from the songs (composers in parenthesis) as well as the video.
So here goes:

"Love Is All Around" (Reg Presley)

"You know, I love you, I always will
My mind's made up
By the way that I feel
There's no beginning
There'll be no end
'Cause on my love you can depend"



***
"Softly Whispering I Love You" (Roger Greenaway and Roger Cook)
"And I know your soft  kiss turning into musicEvery beat of my heart
When I hold you close to my heart
And I hear your voice whispering I love you"



***
"At Last" (Mack Gordon and Harry Warren)
"At last my love has come alongMy lonely days are over
And life is like a song"



***
"When You Say Nothing At All" (Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz)

"The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes sayin' you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall
You say it best when you say nothing at all"




***
"Can't Help Falling in Love" ( Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, and George David Weiss)

"Take my hand, take my whole life tooFor I can't help falling in love with you"


***"Asking Us to Dance" (Hugh Prestwood)
"Darling tonight I am reminded how much these two hearts need romance
You know it isn't all that often we get this kind of chance
Why don't we get caught in this moment be victims of sweet circumstance
Tonight I feel like all creation is asking us to dance"


***"Moondance"  (Van Morrison)
"Well, it's a marvelous night for a moondance
With the stars up above in your eyes
A fantabulous night to make romance
'Neath the cover of October skies"


***"Something" (George Harrison)"Somewhere in her smile she knows
That I don't need no other lover
Something in her style that shows me
I don't want to leave her now"


***
"Wonderful Tonight" (Eric Clapton)
"I feel wonderful
Because I see the love light in your eyes
And the wonder of it all
Is that you just don't realize how much I love you"

OK, I know that's a lot of stuff. There are more songs I could have included so perhaps I'll save them for next Valentine's Day.
What is your favorite? Feel free to share a video and/or lyrics in the comments section.
Until the next time...

Puppy Update #1

Bailey, our little Chorkie, is growing up quickly. He's been part of my family since Dec. 14 and he's made himself at home. He's about 14 weeks old.
He's doing well in the potty department, using the pad probably 90 percent of the time. The remaining 10 percent is when he misses the mark or finds another convenient place to relieve himself.
For the most part, he sleeps through the night. That's if we go to bed after 10 p.m. If we turn out the lights at 9 p.m., he'll usually awaken us at 3 or 4 in the morning. But he's good about going back to bed for a couple more hours before getting us up at 5 or so for breakfast.
He loves to play ball in the hallway. We usually spend some time each day teaching him the three R's of that doggie pastime known as "Fetch!" He's great about retrieving and returning the ball, but is still a bit reluctant about releasing it.
We've had a few nice days in the past week or so and I've been able to take him outside on his leash. Since he's been a house pet, it's been fun to watch him discover the outdoors, such as leaves blowing on the ground or responding to various sounds. We're looking forward to spring.
He's also has a couple of girlfriends. There's Callie, a German Shepard mix next door, and Lady, a dainty white Poodle from across the street.
Bailey is a healthy pooch. He's probably closing in on four pounds (he weighed about one pound when we brought him home). And he gets his final shots this week.
Bailey has been a godsend as well for us since Baxter passed away on Dec. 28. We still miss Baxter a great deal but Bailey has eased some of the pain in dealing with the loss of our beloved pet. 
Until the next time...

Story Songs: God Only Knows

In celebration of St. Valentine's Day on Feb. 14, one of my favorite love songs is "God Only Knows" by the legendary Beach Boys.  

The song was written by Tony Asher and composed by Brian Wilson.  It was released in 1966 on the group's masterpiece "Pet Sounds" album. 

The words are elegantly simple, pure,  and straight to the heart as the narrator professes eternal love to a special person:

"I may not always love you
But long as there are stars above you
You never need to doubt it
I'll make you so sure about it"

And then we hear the words:

"God only knows what I'd be without you"

In the second verse, and repeated in the third, the singer tells the lover that life would be empty without him/her in their life:

"If you should ever leave me
Though life would still go on believe me
The world could show nothing to me
So what good would living do me"

And then:

"God only know what I'd be without you"

While the song wasn't a great commercial success in the United States, it was very popular in Europe. And the tune has been listed on several "greatest song" lists including Rolling Stone magazine, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Pitchfork (No. 1 of songs from the '60s). 

There's interesting history behind the song in Wikipedia.

"God Only Knows" lyrics