What Was So Great About the Brady Bunch

The first sit-com I remember being totally drawn into, maybe even mesmerised by, was the Brady Bunch. I was born in 76, so they were airing re-runs around the time I was four or five. I remember them briefly taking it off the air in our local area, and I was sad. It came back on a few years later and was on, on some channel, quite often from the 80s into the 90s, as re-runs. Why can I always sit through this show, and not get bored, and still laugh at the same dumb shit? Eight or nine times over. What did it have? Why is it great? Special?

The Aesthetics
The show started in the late 60s through the 70s, providing for some intense visual stimulation. I think the first thing you're in awe of is that sweet house. Mike Brady took a modern approach to the design of home, and it just seems like a lovely spacious, yet warm, place to be. The colors in the kitchen are fantastic and the staircase is just "sick." Don't even get me started on Michael Brady's den. Every child fantasized about having a workspace like that when they become professionals. Well done Mr. Brady.

I could go on and speak volumes on the other obvious, the clothing. What we thought was silly in the 80s, as we viewed the reruns, was actually pretty sharp. They pushed the envelope, okay, maybe not for the time period, but it's still an element that drew us in and worked well with the backdrop of the house. Seriously speaking, Greg Brady has some pretty cool sweaters and shirts that I would have no problem wearing today.

How about the beginning? The song, with all the blocks with their heads in it. We've seen it so often it means nothing, but think back and remember how happy you were when that intro started and Mike and Carol's mugs appeared in the in the box with the light blue background, and everything built up, simply and clearly explaining the whole premise of the show, in under a minute, in a fun, catchy and possibly an original way. (I'm smiling as I type this, just thinking about my own joy at the intro song).

Music/Sounds
Music was kind of a large part of this brilliant program. We just stated the catchy intro theme, but there were three whole episodes devoted or featuring the Brady's performing music, and another episode with Davey Jones. Those were always my favorites. I own a Brady Bunch CD and it's pretty damn solid, with a great, fun studio band with great grooves, percussion, horns, and happiness. The Brady band was good and need not be laughed at or mocked. Of course they were produced, but their producers had taste and a sense of silliness that shows through on the Album or on the various episodes. Nice work. And Greg Brady has a good voice. He need not be mocked either.

So, yes, we've established the Brady Bunch band was outstanding, but there was other music on the show, on every show, and in many or most situations. We call this the background music. This program had the best ambient music ever, perfectly appropriate for every scene. I specifically remember the noise for when Bobby kisses his first girl and the fireworks go off. We tried to imitate that sound in grade school. I can't put it into words, maybe awkward. I believe the credit goes to Mr. Frank DeVol for scoring the background sounds. Thank you sir. Exceptional work.

The Characters
I was always able to feel connected to each and every character on that show to the extent I really thought I knew them and even wanted to hang with them in real life. What I would also do is relate my own family members to characters on the show. I saw a bit of my father, in Mr. Brady, I saw both Alice and Carol in my mother, my older brother was named Greg and there were similarities there too. I could see a bit of Marcia in my older sister. We used to refer to my younger brother as Cindy Brady cause he told on somebody once, and there was an episode where Cindy was a tattle tale. Great choices for the Brady kids. While they weren't superstar actors and actresses, I can't imagine anyone else taking their place.

The Plots
Some of the story lines were just ridiculous. As stated previously, the music episodes were my favorite, particularly the Johnny Bravo episode, but there were other awesome shows and scenarios. Marcia getting hit with football and breaking her nose, the football playbook being stolen, the haunted house, Buddy Hinton, the Grand Canyon and Hawaii special episodes and it goes on. There was always a lesson to be learned; an ethics or morality of sorts that we can all respect and try to live by. Mr. Brady was probably the perfect TV father, instilling a work ethic/self discipline/kindness on his children, while being loose enough to understand the changing times and styles. The guy got a perm for god sakes. Another fascinating layer to the show was, that you can see them having early issues when the families first get together (first season), but, as the show progresses, they come together as one family. If you haven't seen this, compare some of the first shows, with other ones from seasons three or four. They grow together, and we grow with them.

So I think the unity of the aesthetics, sound, characters and plot all work together to provide this distinct and unique television show that was on for eight seasons and never won an award. Sometimes the experts are wrong and sometimes it's all about the heart. How something makes you feel inside. And for television shows, I can't think of anything that both makes me laugh, and feel warm all over.

It wasn't a perfect show. Nobody would ever claim that. Some of the later episodes were not up to par and Robert Reid (Mr. Brady) was known to get into arguments with Sherwood Schwartz (creator) over the integrity of the show in the later or last season. I'll give them a pass on that, as they've given me a sense of morality, warmth, smiles and giggles, and maybe love too.

The Brady's will always be timeless to me. In my heart, I will always consider myself, half Brady. Can anyone else say this much about any other commercial 30-minute television program?

Self Sabatoge.

I seem to excel at it. Whether I'm meeting someone new or just ruining a good situation. Not sure what it is, maybe voices or spirits inside. Might be tied to a fear of succeeding, I think many of this. It might also be tight to boredom. Possibly I get tired of a good situation, it gets old too me, so I decide to decide to squash it. Even though it was something good.

There are few things I haven't destroyed. I think the band is one of them. For some reason I'm able to interact like an actual adult around those guys and the main objective is having a cool song or arrangement. You can forget yourself in those situations. Bands are unique like that.

Other than that though, I'm mostly a screw up. Not because I'm less than anyone else, but because I chose to do it. It's weird. I notice mostly with conversations around people, and especially women. Maybe I'm trying to constantly create a volatile/non fragile situation in my human interactions. Maybe I need to be entertained or dazzle.

Children do this. I still do. I get bored. I'm sorry. That's how I am. My apologies for any of those I've offended during the years, if I did.

2012-13

Haven't written in a while, and really not much to say.

Had some time off at the end of the year and a couple weeks into this year but now I'm back to work. Thankfully. I always go into these breaks with high hopes and in some regards it was really great to be away from work, but generally I find I get messed up during long periods of leisure.

This time around I found my self getting into a 7am bedtime routine. I saw very little daylight and much of it was a blur. But I can assure you I was quite cozy and warm in my bed. My bed seems to be one of the best friends I got. All this laying around and no bed sores.

Did anything positive happen on break?
Yes. We had a couple good gigs and I looked at a house. A house that I may try to purchase if I can get renters. I'm thinking I go home to my small but great apartment and do the same thing over and over again. Maybe I need a house and landlord status to get my ass in gear. You know if it works out I'd almost be making money each month, I think.

I like my stuff. A house would be the ultimate possesion. Something I could personalize and really make mine.

I'm getting lots of warnings against it, but we'll see what the bank says and if it's still around. If nothing happens with this at all, at least it's temporarily given me something to dream about. Sometimes that all you need.

2012

My 2012 has been okay. I might even say good. I'm afraid to jinx it, cause there is still one day left. So what happened.

Mine started out with a trip back overseas to the UK and France. My first time in Paris was quite nice and the weather held up and we were blessed to have friends staying in the downtown section where we were able to crash. Paris seemed a little more comfortable than London. At least on the surface. But London remains my favorite city in the world, so far, in my limited travel experience.

I found out the band could successfully move on despite the devastating loss of our friend/bass player who had to resign due to family obligations. Another local friend, also named Andrew, filled in, and the TQI machine keeps rollin on straight ahead, with more songs on the horizon. It's still great fun after almost eight years. Thank you guys.

Made it to Montreal for a few days in the summer which would prove to be the very last journey I'd be taking in my much loved Mazda3, which broke down about a few weeks after that. I, of course replaced it with my first manual transmission (don't laugh at me) Mazda3, and I'm enjoying driving that car, though I really need to clean the interior and exterior due to snow and salt.

Another improvement I've made is that I'm budgeting better and learning to not eat out as much. Cooking good things that will last long and not being afraid to crack open a canned good every now and again. I got conditioned to cheap rent where I could get away with always eating out, but a year at this new place, which I love, has taught me otherwise. I'm still trying to learn other things I like.

We, of course, had an election between two guys with similar platforms. Their constituents had to pretend differently in order to get enthusiastic and in line to vote. For foreign policy we probably ended up a little better, but economically it seems we're still headed towards a collapse of some sort. Who knows, it's rather amazing it's gone on this long. I guess when you have the greatest military might, you can force other countries to use our meaningless currency.

Overall though, they say things are getting better for everyone on earth. I hope that's true and I hope it was true for you. Be well and live healthy in light of current Health Care legislation.

I remain content in my humble little cozy third floor apartment overlooking Main St. I could see myself living here for a long time. Maybe even dying here. It offers just the right amount of space. The community remains good and like home. Thoughts of going to other places always pop up, but I'd be giving up a lot if I did. Have a good 2013.

((Do as thou wilt.))
~dB~

Chili Recipe (a rough approximation)

This is a rough approximation of an awesome chili recipe I use. I don't believe in following recipes all that strictly. This is also a cheap hardy mean, spicy, can be served with bread, rice, or with an omelette...

olive oil
minced or chopped garlic
1 dried ancho
2 or 3 canned chipotle pepper
1 habanero or scotch bonnet
1 pablano or cubanelle
1 red bell pepper
1 yellow onion
1 large of canned tomatoes
cumin, paprika, white pepper, salt, coriander, oregano, flour (or cornstarch)
3 cups of thinly sliced beef (chuck or skirt steak is even better)
2 cups of beef stock
1 can of kidney beans, 1 can of black beans

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I like cooking everything in one big kettle so I don't have to wash as much.

1) Coat bottom of kettle with olive oil, crush up your dried ancho, add about a teaspoon of coriander, cumin, paprika, oregano to the mix before anything else, let it heat up awhile, but don't don't burn 'eem.

(SIDENOTE: Experiment with other dried chilies too, you may use as many as you wish, and it will add to the complexity of the flavour)

2) As it starts to warm, ad your onion and 2 or 3 chipotles, and habanero chop up/dice both...the seasonings will coat the onion as you're sauteing, then add the REST of your PEPPERS and your thinly sliced beef. Add a bit more oil if it starts get dry or burn to burn to fast.

3) Throw some salt and white pepper over this...(NOW!)

4) Add your LARGE can of Whole Peeled Tomatoes and let it cook for around 10 minutes or so. I'd suggest cutting them up into small pieces before you add them, but that's your choice.

5) Add about 2 cups of beef stock - Let this cook at least 30 minutes or so, don't cover the pot. Let 'eem simmer. If it starts to boil, then turn down your heat

6) Slowly put 2 teaspoons of flour in, stir as your adding it, this will thickin' it up, be careful, it could clump up on you.....(trust me)

(SIDENOTE: Cornstarch may work for gluten free people)

7) Add Kidney and Black beans, let it cook for about 30 more minutes if possible, or until it turns into the consistency of a gravy...it should be perfect...if not, add more seasonings...as you see fit...warning, this will be hot, but also beefy and glorious.

Greedy Pigs!

What's a greedy capitalistic pig?

Pretty much anyone who starts a business, wants more money, and hires people to work for him/her. Of course this pig doesn't just hire employees, he/she exploits them every time. That's what they get off on. Even though it's a voluntary agreement.

Public school teachers, professors, politicians (to name a few) of course aren't and can never be greedy. Even though salaries are forcefully taken from what others earn. When teachers strike or demonstrate, they of course, are never being greedy. They're just asking for their "fair share." If politicians, making a living off of bribing their constituents with goodies, need more of your money (to fund such goodies and stay in power) they of course are not being greedy. Government can never greedy as it always has our best interests in mind. Ask the Native Americans.

We all need to come together as one, and make sure such pigs...yes, the ones hiring people and creating jobs and livelihoods for others, get punished for their evil greed. Governments always manage funds far more effectively than the private sector and it's best we give them more, so maybe we can all get free health care like "thriving" Europe. We need to be more like (most of) Europe, completely emasculated and dependant on the public trough.

Motivational Blog

Most of us are dull, lazy and miserable. Some may have well paying jobs and nice cars and hair but they still suck and they're still miserable. I see it all the time. There's nothing interesting about them. The same can go for average and poor people - wealth has nothing to do with it, why did I bring it up? But everyone generally sucks. Most of us are on meds for mental health or chronic issues because of our poor diets and societies desire to put us in boxes and feminize the male (Like that whiney pussy Bob Costas). The "man" is kicking everybody's asses so much so that you have a flock of bleeding hearts supporting a war criminal president and supposedly small government factions backing the authoritarian sociopath. Things are flipped upside down in this world and country and that's the way they like it. Good natured, honest and upfront blokes like myself get painted as shady and weird while the creepers run wild. On a daily basis I get crucified for speaking truth to power. They don't want you to do that. Ever. If you ever call things for what they really are, expect to get shit flung at you.

((Let it be known, there was a never a perfect time and my goal was not to romanticize the past as they were full of injustices. Let's move forward.))

The next time I see you at least give me something interesting to talk about. I'm tired of this surface bullshit. But, maybe that's all you got. F#ck you then! Don't even look at me or do something noteworthy. Tell me about something new you learned how to cook. Let me know how that yoga course is helping out your vibe, or how that Remain in Light album changed your outlook on things. Maybe you finally got to nail that big breasted slut who's half your age that lives down street that you've always seen in the coffee shop. Or how you're starting a noise band that sounds like nothing you've ever heard before (sigh). Entertain me. Most importantly, entertain yourself.

The point is, stop being a pathetic douchebag that has nothing to share or contribute. Our existence in this realm is far too short for that kind of lifeless approach. Get the f#ck out of my goddamned way. There are more good times and moving moments to be had and I choose to either make them, or be apart of them. You can help me with this...or like I said, get the f#ck out of my way.