Change is good sometimes

 

Listening to this cd. This one is great and worthy of a vinyl release. Had a very close friend tell me I lost my passion and how I felt, and what I need to defend and speak up for. Said I’m too nice. Here’s what I got. I love my friends. Especially when they check on me and my well being. I know we all have bad days. I was pretty passionate for awhile about starting a band. I asked some friends that had bands and I was older than them and pretty embarrassed to play guitar in front of anyone. My first attempt was in junior high. We had two practices in my parents garage. One guy went on to a long career managing some famous bands. I took guitar lessons and mostly learned basics from that time. I did not play much for a long time but I loved learning about music gear and loved rock and roll. 

The next attempt years later I met some friends at their house and they were good musicians. They sort of threw me in the deep end and hollered at me to just keep playing. I get what they were trying to teach me but this was too intense for me. 

Third try…made some friends with and had coffee a few times with those young guys I told you about.

This was different. These guys had a studio with a huge fender amp. I had got myself a really good Gibson and a fender telecaster. These guys were not only good but gentle with me and said just let them know what I wanted to play and everyone makes clams (bad notes) at first and just keep going. We recorded them too to good equipment. They knew how to record. I’m not sure if they made the recording sound better later or not. I got to use both of my good guitars as we did two songs. One I wrote about being large like Godzilla …how it feels to be my size. The other was a big star/teenage fan club attempt. Both were instrumentals. I was so heavy at the time and it was summer in a hot studio. I almost had a coronary. I kept going and we finished both songs. I was going to add vocals later but that was too much for me.

I was not confident about my playing but it was one of the best things I ever tried. Before I did all this I went back to taking lessons again too. It gave me much needed discipline and a routine. My friends were concerned about how bad my health was and said they wanted to help me. We went on some walks together around town. 

I was very passionate about this band thing but I was already an artist. I started drawing dozens of band logos for this band, my friends got busy and did not have time for it and suggested I find other people to play with. I’m grateful they gave me that opportunity. 

After all of this I realized I enjoyed playing guitar by myself alone or playing for my dog who loves the sound of Spanish acoustic guitar. It took about 20 years to realize art is what I do. I play guitar now and then. Most of my friends have moved on and don’t have time to get together. It’s part of life. Change can be good. You don’t always win. 

I’m still passionate about art and music and I have a better respect for both. I have to pat myself on the back for overcoming my fear and trying more than once and in the end feeling good that I made the effort. 

You can hear these songs on my website. That’s me on guitar as Godzilla. The song is called Monster X takes Tokyo. I love it. I’m proud of it. I love my friends for believing in me.

Painting is fun. Guitars are fun. I love to listen to music and make art. Simple as that. My wife has be very patient with me and all my dreaming and gives me encouragement to keep trying things. She listens to my wild rants and reads my journaling and lets me be myself. She is the biggest part of my life. We have been through many changes. The current path so far has been healing and my health is improving. Somedays I am amazed how much more my love grows for her and how much she does for me. I am fortunate and grateful to have her and my dog here with me each day as well as the friends I have and family. I’m kind of hurt by what my friend said to me today in a text, but we aren’t all the same and we might think we know people sometimes when we might not. 

 

I like to laugh. I’m kind of sensitive. I try to learn from things. Most people might think I’m a nice guy. I don’t like to swear, I don’t drink anymore. This is me. I yam what I yam. Hope you all have the kind of day you want from life today. I’m going to get a fresh cup of coffee and dig though my collection to see what I got still or what I might have forgot about. Happy trails, god bless you and enjoy! Adios for now, Scoocher

Looking for me? Here I am!

 

Well I was on my last social media account I had left today. (Is this blog social media? I’m not counting my blog or website) so I’m trying to delete a few photos and it took awhile. After a long time deleting the site kicks me off. When I went back everything I was getting rid of was back again. I thought it over. My good friends and family all send messages to my phone. I had a lot of followers but almost never any feedback from anyone. I hoped to get people to my website by posting ads there telling people I had new things going on my website. I’m not even sure if it helped any. I had almost 800 followers. Is that good? I don’t even know. I deleted the whole thing. Some people I will miss seeing posts from and much of my former local goings on I will no longer know about most likely. I’m having to let go of it. Real communication is being lost. I’m trying to find out how to keep myself healthy. I have family close by. My true friends still contact me often and check on me and I try every week to remember to contact my loved ones. I still hug my family. I’m trying not to live in fear. Like the serenity prayer. (You know how that goes right? It’s good to know. Search it on the interwebs.) I have been working on my praying. I wonder if I’m doing it right at times. It has worked for me. I’m managing my anxieties and depression and that helps get rid of fear. I think I’m losing weight just by the little bit I have been doing like drinking lots of water in the day. Trying to move around when I can. I’m not on a diet and I cancelled my double u double u account (you know that famous one that is now an app) most hospitals will steer you towards surgery or their program which is deigned to get your information (apps) or keep you returning and constantly paying them (through their classes). There is no easy way than just eating less, drinking water and exercise. To really do that you must be healthy mentally first. This does not get discussed in diet class meetings. I have a real hard time keeping weight off because I’m a stress eater. I often tell myself I am hungry when I’m really not. I often can’t tell the difference between hunger and being thirsty. It took me a long time to give up artificial sweeteners totally. Well…that’s just part of it. I’m getting older. I have had some health issues that seem to be improving and some I’m not sure. I’m getting a check up soon. I pray that I’m getting better. My family is here for me. My wife has helped me tremendously and gone above and beyond to help me get better. I’m so grateful to have her and my dog by my side. My dog helps me too. He greets me every morning and he tries to get me to play fetch with him and he does not like me on my phone too long. He knows when I’m sad and when he sees that he often gives me kisses or has me pet him. I’m playing my records now and then. CDS sometimes too. Even dvds once in awhile. I have a bunch of old media. Trying to enjoy what I already have. I never really played video games. I’m wanting to paint but I have been going through my art I kept after we moved and I have lived with most of it so long so I’m trying to put up the ones I love most or find out which ones I still don’t mind looking at every day. I’m ready to have a different relationship with painting. I did not become a well know painter (or well known artist either really…) that’s probably a good thing. I look at my past work and much of it makes me proud. How much I grew as I went along. There is a lot of my youth in it. I remember how at times I thought I was making important art. Like I was going to inspire people to paint and draw. I was like that a long time. Like my big break was almost here. Things happen in my life and now I have changed good or bad. Change happens. I had a good time developing my style and learning techniques and I’m still very inspired and eager to paint but in order for it to be fun for me it has to change because it’s real now. I know when I make bad art. I know what makes it bad. It’s not necessarily accuracy. It’s what’s felt when I look at it when it’s done. Sometimes I stare at my finished work for a long time. I have learned to let my art go. I’m not really keeping track of where I ends up anymore. I thought one day I would have a nice coffee table book of my art. Pretty sure that’s not happening. I had some really successful art shows. I sold a bunch of paintings over the years. Most of my life has been art jobs of some kind. I have been very lucky. Art success for me now will be if I am happy to make it. It took a lot to get me to where I am today. I’m making good choices. I’m beginning to find joy more often every day. I’m trying to find laughter and at times I do. I’m working on myself because it’s up to me how my future goes. I can change myself if I try everyday. The world is changing fast and I’m learning so much about it and so much is beyond control. If you read all this I’m grateful. If you would like to leave a comment feel free or email me if you like at popkustomshoppe@gmail.com. 

Happy trails to you. Until the next post, Adios! -Scoocher

Scoocher’s Creation Cave March 2022

 

Hope you are all doing well and spending time with the ones you love. I have been organizing the cave and getting it ready for display shelves. I kinda got the dvd section done and cds will be next…after that the records or vinyls as the kids are calling them. I purged a lot to charity. Not even sure what I kept really. Finding things from years ago. Finding old photos. I thought I might be more sentimental about my past but I really am glad where I’m at today. My collection is like a breadcrumb trail on a long path. Small things to remember but a reminder I can’t go back and the photos remind me it wasn’t always as fun as I remembered things. I’m glad to be able to sort through my clutter and get it under control. I’m still fine tuning it all. I got a painting done for my uncle that I had not been able to get to and I’m still dreaming often of what to create next. I found a small print shop in town and I’m going to look into maybe getting a comic book I did long ago printed. Maybe even offset printed. Always wanted to get an offset comic done.

I have an idea for a new comic and I have a few journal notes down for it. I may get serious on that book soon. Also maybe start a mural in the cave. All in good time. Stay tuned!

the latest 2022

 

SO HERE'S THE STORY WITH THE NEW "SCOOCHER ART.COM" THING. IT'S A COMBINATION OF MY FIRST AND LAST NAMES BUT ALSO A NEW START. YOU CAN STILL GET HERE FROM THE OLD POPKUSTOMSHOPPE.COM ETC... THINGS HAVE CHANGED FOR ME AND MY FAMILY AS THIS HAPPENS IN LIFE AT TIMES. MY WIFE AND HER SIDE OF THE FAMILY HAD TALKED ABOUT LEAVING THE PLACE WE ALL GREW UP AND LIVED OUR WHOLE LIVES IN, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. WE ALL TALKED ABOUT IT AND THE TIME FINALLY CAME TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. WE WENT THROUGH A LOT TO GET PACKED UP AND I WAS WORRIED ABOUT TRAVELING AS MY HEALTH WAS NOT GREAT AT THE TIME (IT'S IMPROVING NOW). I HAD TO LEAVE IT MOSTLY IN THE HANDS OF MY FAMILY AND MOST OF ALL TO MY WIFE. MY BROTHER IN LAW WAS A HUGE PART IN PLANNING OUR TRAVEL. OUR NEPHEW AND HIS WIFE WERE THE ONES THAT HAD TRAVELED ACROSS AMERICA TO FIND OUR NEW PLACE AND FOUND JOBS AND SETTLED HERE FIRST AND WE ALL FOLLOWED AS SOON AS WE COULD.

IT WAS A LOT OF CHANGE. I PURGED A LOT OF THINGS I HELD ONTO FOR YEARS. LOOKED AT MYSELF AND MY LIFE AND WHERE IT WAS. WHEN WE FINALLY GOT OUR THINGS OUT OF OUR OLD HOUSE I WAS SUPRISED AT HOW SMALL OUR PLACE WAS AND HOW MUCH I HAD FILLED IT WITH MY THINGS NOT LEAVING MUCH ROOM FOR MY WIFE. WE WERE ABLE TO FIND A MUCH BETTER HOME WITH MORE ROOM THAT WAS IN MUCH BETTER CONDITION THAN OUR OLD HOME. IT IS MUCH NEWER TOO. WE FEEL VERY BLESSED TO HAVE IT ALL WORK OUT,

I WAS VERY WORRIED ABOUT OUR DOG AND HOW HE WOULD DO ON THE ROAD TRAVELLING BUT IT WAS AMAZING HOW MUCH HE LOVED IT. MOSLTY HE LOVED TO SLEEP TO THE HUM OF THE CAR GOING DOWN THE ROAD. SEEING PEOPLE IN AMERICA WAS VERY DIFFERENT AND SEEING HOW DIFFERENT LIFE WAS OUTSIDE OF CALIFORNIA WAS VERY AMAZING AND SEEING HOW BEAUTIFL AMERICA IS ON THE ROAD. 

MY FAVORITE THING HERE IS THE FRESH AIR. MY HEALTH INSTANTLY BEGAN IMPROVOING IN BODY AND MIND. MY WIFE AND DOG STARTED GOING ON WALKS HERE RIGHT AWAY. LOTS OF THEM. THEY BOTH LOST WIEGHT AND HE HAS ENERGY LIKE HE DID AS A PUPPY. WE ARE ALL WORKING ON OUR HEALTH. WE LOVE IT HERE. WE ABSOULTLY MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE.

I HAVE BEEN UNPACKING AND FINDING LOTS OF THINGS I HAD FORGOTTEN ABOUT AND HAD BEEN LOST. I'M WORKING ON GETTING FITTER SO I CAN SORT THROUGH IT ALL EASIER... MY MOBILITY IS BAD. I'M KIND OF RE-CONNECTING WITH A LOT OF THINGS I LOVED BEFORE WITH NEW EYES. I FEEL LIKE I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH SO MUCH. MOST IMPORTANTLY I BECAME AWARE OF HOW LUCKY I WAS TO HAVE MY FAMILY SUPPORT AND LOVE AND THAT I WAS NOT BY MYSELF. I TEND TO ISOLATE MY SELF IN MY OWN WORLD A LOT. I'M TRYING NOW TO GET BACK INTO THE WORLD. I HAVE A WAYS TO GO YET BUT I'M MAKING LITTLE STEPS AND BREATHING IN THIS GOOD CLEAN AIR AND TRYING EVERYDAY TO KEEPING MOVING A LITTLE BIT MORE AND SAYING A LOT OF PRAYERS AND ASKING FOR HELP. TRYING TO EAT HEALTY.

I HAVE MANY ART IDEAS I AM WRITING DOWN THAT I WANT TO GET DONE. MOSTLY I AM WORKING ON MY SELF SO I CAN  GET TO IT. I'M SMELLING THE ROSES AT THE MOMENT. FINDING GRATITUDE FOR THE BLESSINGS I HAVE RECIEVED. THANKFUL FOR THE SACRIFICES OTHERS HAVE MADE FOR ME AND PRAYING NOT TO TAKE MY LIFE FOR GRANTED. EXCEPTING THAT IT'S OKAY TO EXCEPT OTHERS LOVE AND REALISE THAT I HAVE LOTS OF LOVE TO GIVE. I AM TRYING TO GET RIGHT SPIRITULLY SO I CAN GET RIGHT HEALTH WISE SO CAN CAN HELP THOSE THAT HAVE HELPED ME ALL THESE YEARS. I FEEL LIKE I HAVE LOST WIEGHT. I HAVE NOT WIEGHED IN AT ALL. JUST TELLING MYSELF TO CHOOSE WHAT IS BEST FOR ME. I FEEL BETTER THE MORE I MAKE THE EFFORT AND MAKE GOOD CHOICES. IF I DO MAKE A BAD CHOICE I FORGIVE MYSELF AND TRY TO REMEMBER IT FOR THE NEXT TIME.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ MORE ABOUT MY DAY TO DAY JOURNALING PLEASE CHECK OUT MY BLOG. THERE IS A LINK IN THE NAVIGTION HERE AND A BLOG AD BELOW THAT YOU CAN CLICK TO GET THERE. THE COMMENTS ON MY BLOG ARE ON IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE A COMMENT OR YOU CAN ALWAYS EMAIL ME HERE: POPKUSTOMSHOPPE@GMAIL.COM. I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU AND WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE OF ON MY WEBSITE.

ABOUT MY SITE... I AM STAYING AWAY FROM MOST SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS. I ONLY GO THERE NOW TO LET YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON HERE. I WOULD RATHER SHARE THINGS HERE MORE CONSISTANTLY. NOW YOU KNOW WHERE TO FIND ME. I WILL BE UPDATING MY PORTFOLIO PAGE HERE (MAYBE I SHOULD CALL IT MY ART PAGE?). I HAVE A LOT TO SHARE WITH YOU HERE BUT I AM STILL UNPACKING AND SORTING TO GET TO THE IMPORTANT AND MOST INSPIRING THINGS. MAYBE MORE YOU TUBE PAINT PROGRESS VIDEOS? I HAVE A LOT OF MY COLLECTION SORTED ALREADY TO SHARE AND SOME TO SELL ON MY SHOP PAGE SOON. (AD LINK TO SHOP PAGE IS ABOVE).GOING THROUGH THINGS TODAY AT THIS MOMENT GETTING READY, SO STAY TUNED! BE GOOD TO EACH OTHER. GET PREPARED. SHARE WHEN YOU CAN... ESPECAILLY LOVE. TAKE CARE AND HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU, SCOOCHER

I keep saying “I need a new start…” well, that finally happened...

 

That’s my new logo and new moniker “Scoocher” which is a combination of my two names. It was also a nickname my family and friends called me. (Lots of variations of it like “Scooter” and “Scooch”….) I was never really into one name monikers like “Fonzie” but since our family and I have gone through so much these past couple of years a change was needed.

2022 was ready or not when my wife and her family (all my in-laws) left Southern California. Our nephew and his wife found work and moved to where we all wound up.

My health was and still is kind of shaky right now but improving. My wife had to do all the driving and the majority of packing everything to get us here. I never knew how much more my love for her would grow so much during this time. She never once complained and she took such good care of myself and our dog along the way.

It’s good to be here with our whole family. My Mom, Stepdad and Sister are still in California but I write them often to let them know how we are. I’m eating better food and making better choices in order to improve my current health. Going to the doctor for a check up soon.

Going through all my clutter and I am separating what I will keep and what I will sell. Lots of toys and action figures will go on sale in my online shop soon. Lots of He Man, ninja turtles, Star Wars figures, hot wheels, marvel figures and lots more. I just have way too much of it I collected at flea markets over the years. What I keep will get displayed in my new studio media room. I’m thinking of a name for that space like “Scoocher’s Creative Cave”…I’m planning to paint a mural in there eventually when I get time. I may look into getting a spot at the local antique mall as soon as I get bit all sorted. Could be fun. 

I’m planning new videos for you tube and for my main website scoocherart.com (or popkustomshoppe.com). You probably found my blog from there I’m guessing. I will be adding lots more images to my portfolio page there so you can see more of my art. I also added an “Uncle Bill” page there. I have been making paintings for him the last few years. He loves old movies and cartoons like me and we both enjoy making up fun ideas for the old characters. I check in with him often to catch up and get the next painting assignment. He alway remembered my birthday growing up and often gave me the best presents like Kiss albums, mad magazine books, subscriptions to comic books, how to draw marvel comics book etc… he always and still does believe in me. I love him very much.

My online shop is retuning very soon with lots of new things. It’s taking time to get things sorted for sale right now and I have to figure out a good home mailing system too. I’m working on it. I appreciate your patience. If there is something already posted for sale on the site and you want it sooner just buy it and I will get it mailed to you. Popkustomshoppestore.com (that’s my online shop, click it to go there…)

Thank you for reading my blog, going to my website and shopping at my online shop. Much more is on the way this year. I am more dedicated than ever to bring you new art and content this year. I hope you all are healthy and happy and on a good path with life.

Stay tuned and god bless you all, Scoocher

Happy 2022!

 We moved our fortress of solitude to a place we had never even been to. We moved with our whole family. We left behind California where we had all lived the majority of our lives (for me I lived my entire life there until now).

My new studio has a view of the park next door and many families of deer wander our street during the day. It is cold now (winter) and has dropped under 20 degrees at night. 

The summer will be hot and humid most likely but I’m told not that much different that Southern California. The air is very very clean here and I feel like I’m getting more oxygen in my body. 

We have been having homemade chicken soup and crockpot chili. The local market has super fresh just made flour and corn tortillas that are wonderful. 

We are still in boxes. Much of my studio is taking shape. The space is much larger. I’m trying not to crowd it up too much like the old place so I can work in there comfortably.

I changed up my website and my art moniker is now “scoocher” (scoocher art.com) which is a combination of both of my names and it was a nickname as a kid. I’m told because I scooched in my crib a lot.

I’m planning on making new stickers to go with orders. Popkustomshoppestore.com will have much of my collection on sale soon. I will be adding lot bundles of compact discs, vintage vinyl records, and vintage loved toys in addition to the hand made art my site is known for.

Let me know what you would like…vintage goods, fine art, new greeting cards or new comic books? Affordable hand painted plaques? I’d love to hear what you are looking for. You can email scoocher here

Popkustomshoppe@gmail.com

I hope to also make new YouTube videos. Maybe vinyl community videos? Art progress videos? Let me know what you think.

Best wishes to you all for a great new year. Your continued support is everything to me. I will do my best to make great art for you this year.

God bless you all, happy trails! Love, Scoocher

Destroyer 45th super deluxe box set 2021 November

 

Finally got my box set from Cram-a-thon. I did not want to buy from them but they did provide a digital free copy (even though it’s not the full version it’s the 2 disc one). I had originally ordered from KOL but if you like me were reading the Kiss faq boards I had to cancel then order on cram a thon. Is this how it’s going to go now? Large companies buying everything as a monopoly and make it impossible for the rest? Well, I still have my colored vinyl coming from kol. Maybe arriving today. On to the review…

So far I have only heard the two disc condensed version. I really like it. The new 2021 songs sound noticeably better than destroyer resurrected to me. All the added extra noise fills like the car engine revving and especially Peter Criss’s drums sound more up front and clear. The demos and extra songs sound like the best quality available was used and maybe cleaned up. 

Many people have complained about the live disc being the stoned in Paris bootleg that has been around since the 70’s. Fortunately for me I never had this one or heard it so I’m happy with it. Many have said there may be better versions than what’s included here. 

The packaging is the main thing that got me. This is how it was in the 70’s when you got kiss army kit or opened up a new kiss album and discovered all the extras inside like a box of Cracker Jack. It’s exciting all the contents within. Not going to spoil it here, but I plan on saving my experience of reading the book and newspaper for a rainy day. This reminds me so much of being a kid. When I used to ride my bike on new magazine Tuesday to lucky’s supermarket to hopefully get a new kiss magazine. (Lots of other kids often got to them first). This box is like a scrapbook full of 1976.

Destroyer was not my favorite kiss album. In fact, I did not like it at first at all. I went to my friend Duanes house after school to listen to his copy on one of those stereo councils that had light up disco speakers you got from Sears when it first came out. Later on I borrowed a friends copy and played it until it grew on me. Years later I would find a copy in my dads beach apartment that some past tenant left behind in a cupboard with alive. I still have those two.

I remember trying to stay up late for the Paul Lynde Halloween special but fell asleep. My dad told me I missed my band the next day. There are great photos here from the show even a poster too. My uncle Jeff said to me he wanted to take me to the Anaheim show in 76 but I was too young. I was too young in 77 too for the forum show. My dad finally took me in 79 to the Anaheim convention center show. I remember watching Cal Jam 2 on tv with my dad. He was never a rock and roll guy. He liked the Eagles and country and yacht rock soft tunes. Thank you dad. It meant a lot to me.

I was a big time fan of the early first three records. Destroyer was very different. It’s too dark for me at times. Gene talking about being a god and saying “you’d sell me your soul” well, no Gene. Bob Ezrin changed the band into a machine. Lots of studio magic on it. None of the live energy of the alive album. His thing is big concept albums and this is one of them. Maybe not quite a full concept but the songs are like stories. 

The biggest thing about destroyer is the cover art by Ken Kelly. His most iconic painting. There are a few different versions of his paintings included in the book. This cover art made Kiss what they are today. I have stared at it for years now. It got painted on the sides of custom vans back then. Even as a model kit too. I had a tan iron on shirt my uncle bill gave me for Christmas in 76 with that image with groovy flame style boarder. 

Was 200 too much? The printing was done in the USA which is really cool. Maybe that costs more. The foil poster and box must not have been cheap either. If the vinyl was included it may have cost much more. I think this was the right price for what you get. I have been disappointed in Kiss before but this was how it should be done. My hope is to one day get a box set with the debut album demos and wicked Lester  album and demos officially.  

As I said, I will savor this set over time. I do get Kiss burnout now and then and have to listen to different music but I usually come back to them later on. It’s been some time since I played destroyer so I will be spinning this for awhile. 

It’s only entertainment and now and then it helps me escape for a little bit. I’m grateful for my wife and family who listen to my Kiss rants and tolerate my fandom. 

If you don’t feel good, there’s a way you could, don’t sit there broken hearted…call all your friends in the neighborhood and get your party started!

This box should come with paper birthday plates and napkins.

Rock and Roll People! God Bless and Happy Trails!