Simple.

So many things leave my busy mind wondering what could be done to improve them, smooth an edge, sharpen a corner, a little tweak that might go a long way. But I’m on about the other side of that coin right now, the sigh of pleasure and slightly up-turned corners of your mouth when something is exactly right. For me it’s great when you not only rely upon the simple correctness of an object but you continually appreciate it as it stays with you. That’s the high-water mark for everything that leaves my foundry. Not that it’s always hit, but after all these years it still catches me by surprise how much pleasure the simple things bring me. I’ll paraphrase a man much smarter than I who said anything worth doing is worth doing like a professional.

So it looks like we’ve done right by the sort of guy who likes to do things the way we do. I’ve always thought you do it right or not at all, whatever you’re doing.  And wherever you can, help out and create a good effect. Living like this we make a lot of great friends along the way, and at the end of the day I think that’s the whole point. We’re pretty lucky over here. George, we can’t thank you enough, this is very cool! Come Monday we’re gonna be feeding a lot of friends and toasting you!

Our Armed Forces are comprised of some very specific and specifically proud groups. And they’ve got a lot to be proud of, membership in any branch puts you in an elite category. The rigors of qualification and acceptance are stiff and the standards high. I’m acknowledging this because it’s an easy error for those not in the know to mistake a USN Petty Officer First Class for a Sargent from the three stripes they share. And while no offense might be intended, I do believe service in our Armed Forces deserves a fair amount of respect. Just as no Ranger wants to be called a Marine, I’m going to tread lightly here and make this clear, I’m about to use the name Army Men very loosely and a bit of latitude would be appreciated. And remember, I’m a lover not a fighter, the artsy sort.

It’s with all the whimsey I can muster that I’d like to introduce these little Army Men. The green plastic variety that is. True to the original Vietnam era Louis Marx & Co. toys I grew up with, these almost faithful replicas are cast in solid sterling silver and finished by hand until they’ve earned their stripes so to speak. Don’t consider the price, the heft of the sterling silver or that I’ve lopped off their heads and replaced them with skulls, forget all that and I’d bet you couldn’t tell them apart from the originals. They’re that good. Toys, yes they are. Ages 80 and younger may now resume play.

You may have read about one of my favorite musical duos ever, hopefully you’ve given them a listen and feel the same. Killer Reece and Troublemaker tore up the Foundation Room at the House of Blues last night in HLYWD. The show was short and sweet, I could’ve done with a couple more songs but I was glad to get what tasty treats were offered. These guys are the real deal, and live they put up a raw display of the album’s clever lyrics and driving rhythmic beats. Paying respect my beloved city Los Angeles, the room was ablaze last night. I love these guys both and I’m telling you this right now, get their music and bump it in your car on 11. The beats and lyrics are so infectious you’ll take the long way home.