New section on my website added this week

 

I have turned the Uncle Bill’s Art Page into The Family Section on my website. This is the spot for the art I have done for family and friends. I added three new paintings this week to that section. If you’re looking for my personal and commercial work that’s in the Scoocher’s Art section (page).

I will be adding more updates soon. Last week I added more of my new vinyl record pick ups and more. I have been painting a lot recently and I’m looking forward to sharing the results soon. My website is: www.scottaicher.com

I hope you all are having a great holiday season and a Merry Christmas to you all. I’m grateful for your support. The road goes on forever and the party never ends…Happy Trails to y’all, until we meet again- Scoocher

Happy holiday season!

 

That time is here again. Thanksgiving was a bit rough as we both had the flu that day and week. I made this new painting for my uncle Bill. If you don’t already know I have a whole section on my website full of paintings I have been making for him over the years.

He is doing well. His cat got sick but he took it in to the vet and now it’s much better. I have started a mural over a huge canvas i gessoed over. It had a very depressing painting I had done on it and I decided to try again with something more cheerful. That’s a good thing about paintings …you can just paint over them if you want to. 

Pretty sure not many people read my blog or follow my website anyhow but I just keep on updating it. I don’t get much email from people or comments so who knows if I’m just making things just for myself? 

Maybe I will post less art and go back to pictures of my sandwiches? More interesting probably…. I will keep pushing forward. Some have said my art would be better received in other countries. Interesting… some have said start a grass roots small business… I did that, check!

I still pay for my website each year. My family gets a good laugh at me trying to make a buck in the art world. I laugh at myself as well. It’s funny. Not as funny as digital art to me, but funny as I just keep dreaming things up to amuse myself.

I’m never going back to social media… for heart likes and that type of thing. Heck, I hold back much of my art on my own website too… can’t just give it all away every day I guess. I still can’t get rid of some of my past posted art on social media. Some things just keep coming back and some I’m not sure even how to take down.

Does it even matter? Not at the end of the day. I’m curious on how bad my old paint water smells today so I will probably go in the studio and dump it out and fill the jar with clean water. Pick out a few clean brushes and start in on the mountain ranges in my current canvas. I blocked in the sky and basic flat under painting already. Probably should put on my old stained up paint shirt first. That water has not been changed for a few weeks, but I always clean my brushes after painting. Might organize my art supplies today.

It’s these little rituals that make it all worth it. Because I care even if you don’t. I will paint on whatever I have around or whatever seems fun today. Hope you have a great day. I am going to get at it now… Happy Trails, Scoocher 

New stickers? …or not?

 

Got this new design going… should I make stickers or patches? Shirts? Anybody want to let me in on what you all are looking for… mugs are in the shoppe store now. Hats are next. Very limited quantity because that’s what I can afford right now. 

Still working on a little book of my art. Won’t be that big of a deal. Small but fun.  Trying to get it done for Christmas this year.

Let me know what to do with this new logo. You can use the contact section to email me over at:

Scott aicher.com

I’d love to hear from y’all. Listening to The Black Keys most of today. Sipping good coffee. Turkey burger lunch. Some guitar picking. Nice and easy today.

Happy Saturday to you all, see you down the road- Scoocher

Just in time for the Holidays!

 Just Added some out of print limited edition Funko Hikari art toy figures to my online store along with my brand new Coffee Mugs! Yep, you know how much I love coffee and I finally got official Pop Kustom Shoppe Coffee Mugs for you all and of course myself too.

They are diner style ceramic like the ones you love at the coffee shop. I grew up going to Eat at Joes during high school and Pacific Diner later on. Both featured the John Wayne which is a bunch of eggs, corn tortillas, pepper and onion home fries topped with Spanish sauce and cheese and four sausage links. The motto of this dish is “it will put lead in yer pencil”. Rudy’s had it too. Rudy may have invited it. He worked at Joes, Rudy’s and later opened First Street Diner.

Thank You Rudy for this beautiful dish I loved all these years and I hope you are well these days. 

The Hikari figures are from my personal collection. I kept them in good shape in the original box. I enjoyed them in my studio awhile but now they need a new home and maybe taken out of the box too and enjoyed by you or a loved one?

I will have many things from my collection for sale up soon.

Here is the link to my store: popkustomshoppestore.com

As always our family is grateful to you all for supporting our store and my artistic efforts. We wish you a very happy holiday season this year. I am working on many projects now to share soon. Stay tuned for more! God Bless You, Scoocher

New Shoppe Store Updates!

 

Click Here to visit Pop Kustom Shoppe Store.com!

Lots of new updates to the online Shoppe Store. Working on a new comic journal book project of my own to hopefully make happen in time for the holidays. I have new stickers on the way that will ship with online orders.

Working on a book with Iris Berry again that if you love our collaborations this will be a must have book.

New coffee mugs are here! They go on sale very soon. Diner style coffee mugs. I love these kind. Really thick ceramic to keep yer joe warm. No sugar needed as these are sweet enough already.

Stay tuned for all the good things on the way!

In Gratitude of your continued support,

Happy Trails- Scoocher

Painting finished today

 

Worked on a painting for about 10 days. I kept it close by and added to it until it finally got done today. This picture above is from the outline on the canvas board. I might use it later for a project idea I’m working on. It’s full color now and I was worried about the varnish distorting all the mixed media I used on this one but I put down a very thin layer base coat and let that dry before the next two coats. Turned out really nice. Stay tuned for more on this project soon.

I still have many things I want to get done yet. Finally got our new grill going this week and we had two big Texas rib eyes a big potato and salad side the other night and it turned out just prefect. The steak was very lean and we used a Jank season rub which made the flavor kind of like a sweet worchtershire type of bonus spice. The Jank is my favorite Texas barbecue sauce at the moment. If you have one to recommend please let me know and I will try and find it and review it for you.

Nice a cool out lately. Beautiful weather here. Texas beef is beyond belief it so good. We have had quite a few bucks, does and fawns on the lawn. My wife got her hair did today.

Got a few records to spin tonight on my Victrola.

Happy Trails to you all, until we meet again- Scoocher

Stack of Bangers

 

Had a real good date day with my girl. Went to an antique mall and found a sweet stack of vinyls or lp’s or recckidz ….whatever they call them now. That Partridge Family one there is a real Banger as the kids say now. Good as Pet Sounds….no fooling.

My mom now likes to say, “that’s how I roll…” it was good to get out for a bit. We got our favorite Chinese food afterwards and it was sensational again. 

My fortune said something about being good with quick responses… really? My wife laughed at that one.

Prices at the antique mall were fair and very reasonable and it made it all the better. I got the story of who had owned them before me which to me is what really made it sweet.

A few I picked up could be pretty hot now. I got one Loretta Lynn lp and we talked about her passing of course and heard some great real life stories and a small bit of a history lesson thrown in free.

I remember watching coal miner’s daughter on tv when I was a kid over and over and the buddy holly story was usually shown with it. Some really nice finds today fit just for my taste and what I was hoping for. 

My wife picked up a few cute things for home too.

Hope you all are finding some joy too.

Happy Trails,- Scoocher

Scoocher’s Flavorpacked Turkey Burger

 

So as you might know I have been making turkey burgers in my air fryer. The default temp is 360 or something like that and I set it for 18 minutes instead of 20 or 21 this go round.

Our fryer has a copper pan to cook them in and I line that with foil and make a boat to catch the grease. Makes for easy clean up most times but it spilled out this time and I’ll have to scrub out the pan. Dang!

Most burgers I put on a big handful of bread and butter pickles but I have done that on my last two so I wanted to taste the turkey more this time. 20 minutes gets it a sort of char which is good for bbq sauce ones but it does dry it out.

Take in mind this is frozen to pan so I don’t defrost before cooking. 18 minutes gets a good char like without even a midway flip. I was working on a project while it cooked so I let it sit in the pan about 11 minutes after it beeped, but that actually helped… the juices stayed in and added more flavor.

For condiments I went with our local fast food chain spicy ketchup which is total Texas. Some miracle whip on the opposite bun and melted Swiss on each bun.

Mmmmmm good!

Winner turkey dinner! 

Bon appetite until next burger, Happy Trails -Scoocher

Scoocher’s Marbled Supreme Sandwich

 I have been trying to give up sugar completely. I do get cravings so I switched to more healthy choices. We get these little single scoop ice cream cup deals here at our market which are super premium flavors so they are working great for us.

Sometimes the sugar in ice cream makes me sugar crash even a little bit of it. So I started to switch to organic local honey instead which is very good for you. 

I should use wheat bread toast for this recipe but I found my favorite is a super fresh baked marbled rye bread we get. Makes all the difference. 

So toast your bread and pour on a good spoon on each slice of toast. Make sure to spread it out to the edges so it gets in the nooks and crannies. The toasted bread combined with the honey makes a kind of honeycomb affect after the next step.

Over the honey spread a really good amount of creamy or crunchy peanut butter. I thought I had a peanut allergy but I was eating processed peanut butter before and the local peanut butter does not give me stomach pains like the major brand processed one did so, that is why I recommend the best peanut butter you can find. I had switched to sunflower butter for a long time which I still love too, but good peanut butter works best here.

You can put peanut butter on each upward facing side of toast (two slices) or peanut butter on one and cream cheese on the other. I have a recipe for a quick pre made “princess spread” (well that’s my name for it) you can mix this ahead of time to save time. I will save that for last…

So next, if you are like me and don’t always want to eat prunes for fiber or drink smooth move tea every day you will want to heap a huge amount of raisins on one peanut buttered honey side. 

Now jam those sides together and smoosh it good. Cut it down the middle and almost forgot… use a paper plate in case of drips so no clean up.

I find this helps sweet cravings and I did give up all soda and just drink water or sparkling water with a hint of orange or berry but this sandwich deserves a good hot cup of coffee on the side. Enjoy in good health!

Princess Spread: we get an 8oz container of whipped cream cheese usually. When it’s about half gone I pour in a good amount of room temperature organic honey and room temperature smooth peanut butter. About 4 good tablespoons of each of these. Mix them all up in the cream cheese container and let set in the fridge until you need it later on.

If you don’t have whipped let the regular get soft enough to mix in the honey and peanut butter.

You can add pretzels to your Marbled Supreme as well.

For the Ultimate Marbled Supreme sprinkle on chocolate Jimmie’s or chocolate chips.

This recipe brought to you by ScoocherArt.Com

Good Morning and Happy Trails to you, -Scoocher

Fine Tuning Today

Playing this old cd today. Restringing my old guitar. Had to dig out the pliers and figure out what kind of strings were on the dag gone thing in the first place. Took notes for future reference. Checked where to get strings here in town and had a great talk with the local guitar shop owner. 

I have quite a bit more exploration to get to but the brakes are on at the moment. Got a really good start on new paint work.

Journaling notes. Thank the lord I am here and have a full cup of coffee and my family here. 

Hope y’all are doing well, Scoocher

Pumpkin Spice Bread

I love pumpkin spice. Love this time of year. I love pumpkin spice tea, coffee, bread, pie, ice cream… Love It! When it gets colder out it’s great with coffee. Not much of a pumpkin carver but I love them around this season. Even love the scented candles.

Happy Trails, Scoocher

Healthy Eating? I’m improving….

Trying to make better choices about what I am putting in my body. Sometimes I’m just not into salad or vegetables. Brian Wilson wrote a good tune about eating your vegetables. I heard The Beach Boys in fitness class this week. Had not thought about them for awhile. I really loved The Descendents version of their song “Wendy” growing up. They had a radio hit with it too. Kind of gave pop punk music its start. Anyway, back to the salad… nobody wants to talk about that do they? Cabbage red and plain regular, pepitas and sunflower seeds in the bonus pouch, some Asian dressing made of peanut butter and soy sauce maybe? With some kind of brown sugar? The best part is these little crispy sugar bit wontons of some kind. I know it’s probably high in sugar but it’s a good salad if your not into salad.

Add in some boneless skinless cooked chicken and it’s almost like good for you. Add some dried fruit or raisins and you got it tasting just right. We get these little single scoop ice cream cups which are great but I’m trying to pace them. Sometimes I make peanut butter on toast with raisins and honey. I’m finding honey does not crash me and a little goes a long way.

Raisins and prunes keep the chutes in tune. I also have smooth move tea if that’s necessary. 

Pretty great week. Got some paintings did. Did some studying. Trying to limit my phone time. I have some things I’m working up to getting out and trying. Hope you all are ready for this beautiful day. The sun is rising through my window now and I’m going to check on how that coffee maker is brewing the morning roast.

Thanks for reading. God Bless You- Scoocher

 

Woke up again in the middle of the night

 

New design I made this week. I do like it. Trying to be humorous and not self loathing. I often lack self confidence.

Sometimes I get an inflated ego. What a roller coaster.

Going to be present for today and do my best. I have a few projects I have started art wise. Not sure if I will share it online. Maybe just focus on smaller steps and be humble in today. I have been doing some studying. I have thought about journaling instead of blogging which may be better for awhile for me.

Time to try and get back to sleep. Thank You for reading.

God Bless You and take care.

Up late and trying to get back to sleep

 

Cookies and Milk? Have not had these yet. Have not bought them either. I’m told they are good and tempting. They look like Pecan Sandies type of thing… I like homemade oatmeal cookies. Some say a guy my size should not be eating cookies. That’s probably true. I had a Pecan Sandies phase back when I was a bachelor at my bachelor pad. About that time I had a thing for baloney and cheese on Wonder Bread and Velveeta Shells and Cheese or Kraft Deluxe… packaging influenced a lot of my choices then. The colors on the box were mostly the same. 

I tried retail therapy later on. Now and then this would hold back food cravings. It can get out of control too. I do like to eat. Never been big on exercise unless it was fun. Not a fan of competition sports personally. I did enjoy sitting in the stands with a Dodger Dog and a two bagger peanut pack way back when. Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, Don Drysdale Brady Bunch Episode. I played a few sports growing up too.

I have my green bike waiting in the garage. Looks sad. Got it a few years back when I did this liquid diet thing my doctors suggested for me. Did that one about three times. Lost all the wait most every time too. Got all kinds of compliments after I took off the weight. My mom still has the picture of me from back then hanging up at her house. That one and my wedding one from my second time on the shake diet.

So the third and last time I did this shake diet I bought a new bike to ride which after awhile became a coat rack. We had some class discussion on reasons we eat. I have had a therapist so I thought “hey this will help” I soon figured out we all have different reasons for over eating and some of us had much bigger things happening. I figured out that this shake thing was made by a big company and was designed to get you coming back and going at it over and over.

I’m still too big to ride my bike now. We have really beautiful paths here. Sometimes I think I might get there. Sometimes I think I can. 

I wonder what tomorrow will bring? Today was a challenge.

I’m trying fitness now. Don’t care if mom puts up a new picture of me but I would like to ride down that path one day.

Maybe walk it. I will never forget anyone that helped me with  physical fitness. Especially if the help was given with love. 

I had a challenging day a got news a relative had to have a surgery today. I knew it was not just me today. I said some prayers for them and I’m trying to remember people besides me might be dealing with worse things than not wanting to exercise. 

I’m grateful to have people helping me and I do try to give back when I can. 

I have work to do in the morning so good night and thank you for reading. God Bless You All. -Scoocher

Nostalgic window shopping

 Looked at my phone way too long today. Did some searching for things I don’t need and will be worthless and mostly forgotten. All things must pass, right? Good name for a gastronomic science book. 

I have some painting to get to. Got one idea I want to paint for myself but it might have to wait in line. I have been updating my website graphics for each section and making some ads for…. “Now accepting commissions!” Almost holiday season and if your thinking about me making something now is the time. The weather is still good so I can get it to the post office for you. Winter could be rough this year for that later. So there you go….

Feeling good health wise. Staying on top of things and making good choices. I’m not perfect and I’m human. Funny when I get nostalgic now it’s nothing at all like I remembered and what I do remember now I know why it went that way… if that makes sense.

I have some things getting made for my online shop for the holiday season too. You know, the old Thanksgiving and Christmas time. Turkey legs, that sweet simple Paul McCartney song again, egg nog and Yule logs, relatives…

They need some art this year. Some real art. I’m not sure what an NFT is. I don’t make those. I paint on cheap canvas or canvas boards. Real acrylic paint. Real pencil sketched. It’s going to look like I did it. Plenty of samples of my art on my website with links to my online store with other gifts if you want already made art and things. 

It’s supporting small business. Your support is very much appreciated by our family. You can find my website here:

www.scoocherart.com

Here are some things from my window shopping on this rainy day…

Gabrick Sweet Heat Sauce Review

 

I was really hoping this would win as my favorite and it almost beat The Jank for me…but the Jank is so thick and almost too sweet and I just never had a sauce like that one is but this Gabrick Sweet Heat takes second. 

At the pop open it was not as thick as I anticipated but tasted really fresh and the pepper was like ground black pepper but noticeably fresher. The heat kicked but not hard and the afterburn was pretty mellow but there that’s saying a lot. Very good tasting sauce and I love sweet so I saved this one for last to try. 

I was so impressed with the taste I assumed without reading all the ingredients were all fresh and natural. They are but there is corn syrup instead of cane sugar and that’s fine and all but I’m not supposed to have corn syrup so for that reason only this came in second. The flavor is right on. The heat is good level and the after burn is enjoyable. All good!

Really love this one a lot but I will still look for brown sugar or cane sugar for the sweet because my body processes it better.

I can put lots of this on and even make a dip pool and flood it on without it getting too hot or outshining the meat flavor.

It’s very close to the best and maybe in time this might be my regular jar of sauce.

Went double Swiss cheese this time. The Swiss melts thicker than easy melt and our market’s Swiss is really good and fresh with smaller holes. Good stuff. Dave’s buns again. Whole wheat.

Ran out of bread and butter pickles earlier this week. Almost added some onion but that’s better for a ketchup mustard burger. Turkey burgers again too this time in the air fryer metal bowl with a layer of tin foil first for east clean up.

Stay frosty and see you next sauce! God Bless You All-

Scoocher 

Pop Culture Remebered

 

Fantastic Plastic!

 

 Saw Big Bad Toy Store had a good deal on some Star Trek Mego figures last week. My brother in law likes to do that “live long and prosper” deal to me all the time and ol’ Spock is sending it my way here.

Had to get Kirk too as he was on sale. Sad that we lost Uhura recently. May need to get her figure later on. 

I had a soldier ape when I was young and I definitely remember Corny. Maybe a friend had that. Don’t ever remember a Zira but this one is just awesome! So glad to get these figures. Takes me back for sure.

Also got a Funko Pop. I’m not much for collecting those myself but I do have The Golden Girls and Bob Ross I still need to unpack from our move someplace.

I picked up “Chubbs” from the movie Happy Gilmore. My nephews call me that sometimes and we all love that movie. My dad was a big golfer as was my old therapist. I had an old die cast car my dad got me for my Luke Skywalker figure as a kid but he never fit and the scale was off.

I was looking at that car and realized a funko pop would fit perfect. So Chubbs is now it’s driver. Might need a passenger too. Maybe a Rodney Dangerfield Al Czhervic Pop from caddy shack?

Anyhow, it kept my mind off food and helped me focus on going to my fitness class. I’m grateful and blessed to be on a good path.

Hope y’all are getting after some goodness.

Happy Trails and God Bless You All- Scoocher 

Grilling Time Today

 Got these sirloin beauties grilled up. It had been a minute since I had a grill so I was hoping for fully cooked mostly.

Went about 4 minutes a side with a bit of extra time to be sure it was done. Gave them plenty of rest time. about 350 on the heat gauge. Turned out just perfect medium.

Very long time away from the barbecue but it was really, really good. Had bread and butter pickles with mine and my wife had the grilled hatch chilies. We also had a salad too which was a Thai salad. Super good but who wants to see salad?

Had a nice orange sparkling water which is my absolute favorite one. Really beautiful day today.

Lots of prep to get the grill set up and smoking but so glad I got it going.

Hope you all had as good a day today.

APTTMH, Thank You for Reading- Scoocher

Absolutely Wild Sauce, Round Two

For this round of Absolutely Wild Barbecue Sauce we got the usual Dave’s whole wheat buns ( I make two burgers because no fries added) got the same hatch chili turkey burgers from frozen… air fryer 20 minutes. Remember to line your fryer bowl with tin foil for easy clean up.

I think that’s a nice Havarti I got working today. Defrost your buns in the nuke for 30 seconds to get them to pull apart after being frozen. Take yer cheese and rip it in smaller bits to fit each bun half.

Nuke another 30 or so seconds to get that cheese to sweat but not melt. Too much nuke and you’ll wreck yer buns.

They will get like wet cardboard.

After I get ‘em fried up and put together I cut them into mini sliders because I made a full pool for this sauce this time.

The sauce has been chilling out in the fridge and if that heat is going to pop it needs to chill a week or so.

That’s the Wild Sauce their on the right. Y’all got to try that hot sauce there too. Our family loves that one!

So. I put on a good beard bib and dipped them in the pool.

I was thinking…this is more of a zip. Not heat…I kept at it a big amount on each bite. Towards the middle the roof of my mouth woke up. Kept going…I’m not going to let any sauce go to waste. 

At the end my mouth was a bit upset and almost at that point where it gets just too swollen and too tender but it was nice and kicked just right. 

After I was done that pepper wanted to hang out longer. My eyes just about teared and I said, Woah! a few times but you want that.

Kinda reminds me of a Chris and Pitts but not as much ketchup and processed taste. Not very sweet at all.

Nice flavor and fresh after a week of chilling.

My grill is waiting still… my wife wants me to get it going soon and I want to see how these turkey burgers do on the grill. We got some good beef patties defrosting for tomorrow so looks promising for that soon.

Thanks for stopping by. Let me know if you have a good sauce for me to try.

Thank You and God Bless You All and Your Families,

-Scoocher 

My favorite rock group…

 

It’s almost over. Might not end just yet or ever for the rock group Kiss, but I’m going to move on after being a fan for what seems like 100,000 years. The reunion was a dream come true to see them two different nights at the L.A.Forum in 1996. The excitement of standing in line to get a wrist band to get a spot in line to buy tickets at the now online Tower Records in store ticket booth was something I will remember and one of the longest waits in line in my life but what a day to be alive that was. Tupac now gone with the incredible news at that award show. I’ll never forget that. He shocked the people.

Then was the Farewell in 2000. Ace famously almost missed my show in Devore which was one long drive for me in the dark on my own to get to with only a Thomas guide map. I thought it was much closer than it turned out to be. Missed Skid Row but no Gill (singer Sebastian Bach starred as Gill on Gilmore Girls later. My wife and I just loved that show).

Listened to Ted Nugent in line at the merch stand and watched people getting their faces airbrushed with makeup like the band. They had some kind of wetsuit material template and just like that you got the demon face deal on.

It was like watching the Lone Ranger put on his mask or meeting the great OZ.

A chopper overhead flew in the real spaceman but the current spaceman was prepped and ready. This was the famous laser pointer show. Paul Stanley warned us all not to go to rock shows put on by your neighbor in a tshirt and jeans. This was not getting what you paid for he said something like that. Also he described his love of Lazer pointers to the fan with one and where he might keep it after use. Lucky for me I got one last goodbye that night with my favorite band. The parking lot was on a big grass hill. Very sketchy crowd. One big dude decide to check out my tour book I bought. He insisted. I ran down the hill to my car with my precious souvenir fast as my feet allowed and drove home in my all too tiny super sweet T top roofed Nissan Pulsar. Spaceman silver with burgundy interior. I had to duck my head down to drive it like I did every morning down the 710 freeway to beautiful Vernon CA to work. Just up the street from old farmer John’s place and the sweet smell of the burn off waste getting processed. Again, it was a great time to be alive. I think I put piece of confetti in my Fonzie jacket pocket which might still be there.

We will most possibly never get a new Kiss Record with all new songs ever again. Fake Frehley as Tommy is called says he may just make wine. Sounds like a nice ride into the sunset to me. Catman Two as they sometimes call Eric Singer seems ready to take a “pawse” lately too. Both are just sensational players who are so good they make it look easy to just step in the costume and do the job and I respect that they both do just that almost too perfect. I always paid such attention to the costumes and makeup. In the 70’s it could get sloppy here and their but if it ever got too perfect it usually meant a change of some kind on the way.

It looks better than ever currently. 

Everything will end one day in some way or another. I’m an Ace and Peter kind of fan. I loved Eric Carr and his thunder drums. Paul Stanley the best ever frontman and fellow painter, kept his story of being bullied for most of the journey.

I never new the whole time about his struggle. It explained a lot about what kept him going all along.

Gene the demon? Or Gene the business man? Comic book and film nerd? What a bass player! Ever notice as he’s doing all that slap stick he’s right there in the pocket groove on bass even now. His love for his mom is really who he is in reality.

Vinnie who? I got that pink promo 45 single still someplace and I bought it because it made me laugh out loud in truth. I know he has real fans and many. I’m not really that into his songs he wrote either truthfully. They seem kind of doomy and more understandingly metal. Fair enough. The Tupperware thing tho. Ya know? He had his big moment this year. Undeniably epic but not my style. 

Bruce Kulick and His brother Bob. A great human above everything else. Still as good as ever. Still holds it down today. His band of any will be the new emperors to the black diamond crown. I love his wife Lisa. She and Bruce are a good team. Rest In Peace Bob Kulick. I don’t need to know what happened. Just seemed like such a loss of a guy who seemed to enjoy life. Too young. Eric Carr was too young too. Always looked like those rain puddles in that video were a river of tears of some kind.

I got my Kiss lunchbox signed by Ace in person at amoeba records. Still on my shelf now. Never met Peter but my friend got his autograph for me when he came into the pharmacy she worked at. Still have it in a frame with my Paul autograph our stewardess neighbor got me as a kid on American Airlines stationery. I think they both have my name and rock and roll! On them. Got Peter’s two pennies in change too with it. My friend my have just created the Pete one and gave me two pennies, probably never know for sure. Looks really correct. If it is fake all this time…it’s always something they did for me to show they cared. Not sure where she is now but hopefully the stars are overhead.

Stood in a tradeshow line at a show my work sent me to where Gene was singing his first book which was brand new.

We all waited for his girls to get off his lap in line. Took a long time. I was very tired when it was my turn but I brought my book up like a baby seal greeting a poacher with a wood club. I was almost drooling uncontrollably with fanboy weirdness. I think I said “I have been a fan for so long now.” And no fooling he signed my book and mouthed the words without actually speaking “thank you”. I shoved my book signed in black maker on the dark cover art and later when my boss asked to see it the sweat off my back through my backpack had smeared it all. If I was not humiliated enough my boss laughed and grinned for the rest of my days at that job and never let me forget that book which I probably still have but I’m not going to go looking for it.

They still owe fans money for the Dubai thing today too.

I’m going to remember the journey. Almost forgot Mark St.John like I think we are supposed to…he was there and on the cover of animalized and posters. He counted. I heard part of his story and it’s sad how he passed. Too bad he did not find a sober life. He added some sparkle to their image at the time and had that hair look of the moment which is what I figure he was there for. Rest In Peace Mark St.John.

As for Ace Frehley…my dad wanted to be my hero when I was a young Kiss fan. He saw his poster on my bedroom door with the smoking guitar. (Wonder if that’s why I tried smoking later on?)  dad smoked too. He said to me “you know those guys are my age. What if that was me up there as your hero? I told him he was my hero and he said “yeah, sure..”. So Ace is still going today and I still enjoy his music and he still says another record might happen. I explained to my dad that day he was like his Elvis and John Wayne.

I got one of those tell all books about Ace. Might not read it.

Why should I? Ever hear too much about Curt Cobain? Its entertainment and show biz. Like wrestling and politics. 

Still, might be better than reading about a Kardashian.

If a read it after all hopefully I’m not going to judge some guy in a space suit for taking my allowance all these years.

I got to take some of the blame here. You think they will ever sell an actual smoking guitar someday or saxaphone necklace with a kiss logo on it? The question is: would you Dubai it?

Goodbye is only for now rock soldiers of the Kiss Army.

We are all worth far more than a deuce.

Let’s rock and roll some night and partly every day.

Christeen is now 60.

My old wooden platforms turned to memory foam.

The flaming youth have a rotten tooth and lost their spark.

I got some new shoes. Not dragon platforms. Not actually good looking. Gray. No heel because my swollen foot barely fits and they are extra wide. But they have good cushion. Gets me shuffling. I like them. I could actually use a Kiss metal rocker(ing) chair right now the most for my porch. Call Doc Magee somebody.

I still have Kiss Records on the way soon.

Once a hooligan now a fool again.

Am I ever going to stop?

Thanks, Scoocher

‘Nuther Sauce Review

 

This time we got two different kind from my two nephews who are brothers. Younger brother joining in with this Marie Sharp’s Green Habnêro Hot Sauce. He’s a talented artist and just got a great new job and we are all very proud of him. Was a very cool surprise that he sent this over for me with my wife when she got home after a visit with him. He said it’s his favorite and I was eager to get it on a chip. 

For lunch my wife made cheese chips with guacamole so she put a generous amount on her dish. I tried a bit on a chip but did not get enough on the first time to really taste it good so I got another chip and put on a good amount.

When I read the bottle I thought this was going to be extra hot an my nephew might be trying to punish me for something.

It was great! Good heat but not so much that’s all to the taste. I forgot how good green hot sauce is and this was so good. Great green chili flavor and not overly salty. Thought about possibly tomorrows breakfast being some eggs topped with easy melt and this here hot sauce. Thank you younger nephew. Loved this very much. Your older brother would love this.

Speaking of him…he and his wife got me a mess of barbecue sauces to try for my birthday this year. This is the third bottle.

It’s Called Absolutely Wild Barbecue Sauce. Today I was having a bowl of leftover Chili Mac for lunch and this was the next sauce to pop open and what in Texas does not work well with barbecue sauce….it’s one of the first things you get when you get here. Probably goes good on ice cream.

Mixed in this one but not too well to leave some basic chili Mac flavor spots in the bowl. Put two slices of easy melt on top stuck it back in the nuke to melt it on top but did not mix it in. Saved that cheese for last forkful. Did not think this had heat but as you know, I just opened this one and heat takes time after the pop to make its announcement most times. As I was working on it my nose started running. So there you go. Some kick like the cowboy riding the horse on the bottle.

We still got chicken legs to grill up later so I may update this one. I got to get that grill going soon. I keep on talking about it. I’ll make that happen.

Older Nephew writes his own music and records it on his computer. I have things to learn from him still. He’s strong like a bull and very caring and loving. 

Love these guys so much! So lucky to have them here.

They have never left me anytime I can ever remember without giving me a hug. Can you imagine that? I’m so grateful for them. God Bless You Boys!

Thanks for reading… updates on the way soon.

Gotta hook up the propane tank. Buon Appetito!

-Uncle Scoocher 

Texas Bluebonnets

 

Just thinking to myself…have I actually seen with my own eyes a wild growing Texas Bluebonnets  Flower? Pretty sure I have seen photos of them and they are know to be where I am but have I noticed them if I saw them? Did my wife already point them out to me and I was too busy day dreaming to hear her? I gotta ask her to point them out next time we are roaming our neighborhood.

Watched Steve Carlson’s YouTubes show today and he made me laugh out loud. He was at his park having fun playing a game called frisbee golf with very expensive records from how it looked. Got me thinking it has been awhile since I played guitar. Even longer since I have played my Mexican Made Genuine Fender Telecaster. So today I’d like to talk about my Tele.

It was a really big deal for me to get an actual Fender Telecaster with a real Fender logo on the headstock. I went on a sad rainy day years ago on my birthday to trade in some Guitars at Norm’s Rare Guitars. I had almost no money in my pocket and a couple of guitars to trade. One that I had was mint and now kind of rare and vintage but not that valuable just yet. I went in and talked to the staff and they were not really interested in my trade offerings but then Norm himself walked in. 

I told him my sad story that day and bad news I got that day that my sister was not well. (Happy to say she is doing just fine now today). I was sacred and in this moment in time I was losing faith and holding on to my hopes. I told him, this guitar I have with me is mint but if I play it, it will lose it’s value. I’m looking for something I can play.

I wanted a Genuine Fender Telecaster. I had a few Squiers which I still have and love but I was searching for the one this time. Searching for one that had mojo. He stayed with me most of the day and showed me a Mexican Made model that was in my price range. It was an FSR which I think means “Fender Special Release”. You knew that by the oval sticker on the back headstock. 

I played the American made in USA and it was very nice. You could notice the quality as Norm pointed out. If I had to wait and save and get it later it would have been worth it for sure, but it was too much guitar for me. I would have left it in the case like the trade in guitar.

I wanted to start a band and record a song too. It needed to sound good. I was looking specifically for Pete Townsend, Waylon Jennings and Chrissy Hynde. Let’s not forget Joe Strummer and D.Boon.

It needed to have rocket sauce as well as twangle jangle. She was perfect. I named her after my sister. Went back to taking lessons (this was what you call mid life for me).

Talked to some friends who knew how to get it done and we recorded two songs. It took time. My friends almost literally help me keep standing and going and never let me stop. Could not have got there alone. 

Forward to today. I had let myself slide for awhile. Got unhealthy with my weight again which led to all those things doctor warn chunky dudes about. Knees go. Joints freeze up. Aches, all that kind of action was beginning. 

Last time I said was last time so this time I just finally said to myself, “get a good doctor and pay attention”. Just did what he suggested. When he told me his recommendation worked for his wife that gave me so much hope. God Bless My Doctor!

Sometime this month I was putting together my new art room studio and took out my guitars. Got some wall hangers for them and eventually got back to this guitar I named after my sister. It was just as it was when I got it. I decided it was time for a name change and a new pickguard identity. I did all that but hung it back up and did not really even play it.

After getting a good laugh and seeing Steve’s video today I took it off the wall. Checked out my cable chords I had left. One is cloth wrapped and looks cool but plugged it in and noting. I had my Fender Princeton plugged in (for you guitar fanatics it’s solid state not luxury tube amp, but I’m still dreaming about one someday).

I love this amp. I got it from the paper want ads went to a dudes house and bought it for I think 100 bucks. Always wanted a Princeton since I started when I was about 13 years old. Still love my amp.

Plugged in the more standard traditional heavy duty regular cable I had and went to town. Was good to feel the satin neck finish and tickle the fret board. Bend some notes. Muffle some picking, adjust some amp settings, dial the tone knobs.

I played some sloppy jarrbled patterns and tried some chord progressions. Tried remembering some old songs I would warm up with. Played some Nausea by the Band X. Some Germs Shutdown (is that song originally by the band F-Word? I saw Rik L. Rik before at “Fender’s” club in Long Beach way back. This is turning into a Fender promo now…)

The body is ash. Which is has a transparent wood finish that is super glossy and bright. The neck is more satin which feels really nice and it’s thinner so it easy for me to play. The frets are polished nice and no sharp points on them to slow me down. The strings really ring out on it. Plugged in makes gives it the groove and I love just hearing the amp hiss.

Am I the only one that thinks too much about wasting electricity when my amp is on? I kind of feel like when it’s on the meter is running so start after it.

My guitar strap I got in San Pedro at a music store called Alva’s Music. I’m wondering how Art who worked there now is doing. He used to work on my guitar projects I brought in at times. I have a few of those still and one day I will talk about them too.

My strap is by a company called Souldier. It’s kind of rainbow colored psychedelic flower shapes. They make straps out of old repurposed car seatbelt materials I think they are a small USA business still. They had lots to choose from at Alva’s. Those old seat belts bring me back to the 70’s. The top is kind of yarn stitch cottony soft fabric so you can easily stick on button badges. Left mine blank for now. Hey, just remembered I got an Amoeba records die cast pin I could stick on there today….

I ordered a hat from Norms online recently and got that this week in the mail. Got it to wear to my fitness class to keep my hair back. It had stickers and a pick included so I got picking. Norm himself is recovering from a health issue now and is doing great. A reminder to me to not let fun get away from me so much.

So, today right now… for those about to rock…

Salude! -Scoocher 

Message in a Bottle, whoa oh…

 Not just a terrible song by Sting and pals (I remember going to see a local cover band when that song was in heavy rotation and they changed the lyrics to a dirty version about massaging something. Made me laugh for years. Sting would not have been amused at all.)

My point is… I’m thinking this blogging is a message in a bottle in a way. I send out the posts and someday someone will reply. I truthfully like just journaling. Seems to help me.

No pressure and not asking for comments from anyone.

Grateful anyone reads them. It’s really just for me getting over my insecurities and I’m better at organizing my thoughts through writing them down. Sometimes finding the words takes time for me. I really should be putting this on paper not a blog.

I was ready to make videos to share and I just don’t feel comfortable trying to be a good host of some kind. I may want to try that again later. I set up my iPad and tried out making some videos but truthfully they were bad. The kids call that cringy now.(formerly embarrassing) I’m also telling this so you know why I did not join the vinyl community post people like I said I would. The kids call that being transparent. (Formerly being honest)

Anyhoo….(now know as “that being said….”) my dad always said I do everything the hard way. He’s right because most everything worth doing in life is hard. There is value to hard work. Not that I claim to be a hard worker. Just the opposite. I find things I enjoy doing. I try things. I found I always loved drawing as a kid. I still love it. I have drawn when I didn’t feel like it. I have been the most lucky to have been for the most part able to draw what I liked or most times loved. 

They say do what you love for living and you will never work a day in your life. Well, Paul Stanley said that and it’s true, but please don’t go electing him or anyone from the Rock Band Kiss President. While we are talking Paul Stanley…I like that he paints too for enjoyment and relaxation, but I do at times wonder if the maid paints ones he signs now and then.

Jeff Koons built his art career this way. Other celebrities are possibly trying out this too. (Watching you Gene, you as well Mr.Depp) still…is it wrong? No law saying you can’t sign someone else’s painting you had them make and take credit if you did it legal and paid them. That’s capitalism. Freedom too.

Just my observation. Not a mad rant. I’m grateful for people like my brother in law who fought to protect our freedom here. Him and every American Soldier who has protected our rights. I Thank God we still have some rights left here.

I’m not an expert on politics. I’m trying to find truths like everyone. Mostly I’m trying to improve myself. I’m learning now and then from mistakes I make. Trying to be a better listener and realize real change takes time.

Kind of just wanted to put down some “random” (those kids again) thoughts. Thanks for reading and you know the other thing they say “probably delete this later” (some kind of one of those letter things for that like LOL which means Look Out Louie or maybe Laugh out loud.

Now I think I’m supposed to say “but I digress…”

I’ll be here all week…tip your waitress. Thank You and Good Day…

-Scoocher

I said “Good Day Sir!”

-Wilder as Wonka

Oh Yeah, got some new patches to send out with my shoppe orders. Full transparency FYI… I love them!

Support small business (like my shoppe store) much appreciated yatta yatta mundatta….

Oh Kids, FYI Sting was a popular musician from the 1980’s who made us all too aware of tantric intercourse and he is rumored to be a legendary expert. His real name is Gordon, not sure if he’s ever been considered a fisherman or if he even likes fish sticks. Seriously, he probably does have a sense of humor. That’s all for today…