Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

A New Year's Toast

As is our custom, we offer up a music video each New Year's Eve. For the most part, these posts shudder at how inhuman humanity is becoming.

It started in 2006 with an exceptionally powerful song by the forgotten Living Loud. In 2008, the late Jimi Jamison moved us with "Can't Look Away." In 2011, it was Michael Jackson's "Earth Song." In 2016, we questioned how our government had become a monster with a song from 1969 (some things were clearly prophesied). The following year, we suggested that we might / should be on the "Edge of a Revolution."

Of course, that just didn't happen.

In 2017, Jackson Browne asked us all, "How Long." At the close of 2019, Martin Sexton begged us to join "One Voice Together." Of course, 2020 was a shit show of a completely different proportion, and we closed with a reworking of "Auld Lang Syne" from Yam Haus and Jaybird Studios.

This year however, we're of a different mind.

On this final Music Friday of 2021, just "Raise Your Glass."

And all the best for a powerfully enriching New Year, y'all. And be loud.

A NYE Like No Other

Followers of this blog know that Terri and I love our New Year's Eves to be hot and sweaty on a rolling dance floor. But for another New Year's Eve...we'll be passing on our passion because of the plague.

But this year, there's something to actually look forward to for us that are electing to stay in. As we shared with you previously, the 50th edition of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve will have its first countdown at 11E/8P live from San Juan, Puerto Rico...not too shabby a way to celebrate the city's 500th birthday. And, quite a coup for the team at Discover Puerto Rico.

Which is why I had to laugh when CNN announced earlier this month that they, too, would be counting down from Old San Juan tomorrow night.

Hey, you gotta love a two-fer, eh?

Should be fun...and we can't wait to see Puerto Rico on the world stage with these two international broadcasts.

I Believe

Yeah...it rained most of yesterday, as Greg Lake once sang.

"I wish you a hopeful Christmas
I wish you a brave new year
All anguish, pain and sadness
Leave your heart and let your road be clear."

 

I'll Be Home Tonight

For road warriors like me, this John Legend track couldn't be more appropriate as a pre-Christmas Music Friday find.

While I made it back to the compound last weekend, it's always our collective fear, n'est-ce pas?

Home for the holidays...and it feels so good.

Merry Happy to you all.

Lemme Get This Straight

You know that commercial where a band of young adults are being targeted by a stereotypical killer...and they ultimately hide in a shed filled with chain saws? And the killer subtly shakes his head in disbelief?

Yeah, that's how I felt during the first days of Omicron...when officials said that closing borders was a bad idea because it would hurt South Africa's economy. 22 days later, Omicron has been detected in every State in the nation.

And now, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has announced that the City will require patrons of indoor dining, fitness and entertainment to provide proof of vaccination for entrance. Starting January 3rd.

Huh?

If there's a need to require such a measure...why wait two weeks? Because it will harm business and piss off voters if you impede their holiday celebrations? If so, this isn't about public health, is it? Because, if it was, you wouldn't wait two weeks.

I've arrived at a point where I simply don't give a shit anymore. In the beginning, I believed lockdowns were important because of the misinformation that was coming out of Washington. Hey, some people are easily swayed and local government needed to protect the mentally vulnerable.

But coming up on two years, everyone knows what's up and we've all made our choice. Those who have avoided the vaccine (outside of medical reasons) have their reasons and can be counted as people who care about themselves and their politics more than their fellow citizens. Those on the other side know to take precautions when they are warranted.

So...enough of the lockdowns. We're all adults and have made our decisions accordingly, however reckless some among us may be.

And with that...Happy Holidays to you all. And here's hoping we all make it to 2023.

It's Still a Wonderful Life

This week, 75 years ago, the classic Holiday movie "It's a Wonderful Life" was released...to a fairly ambivalent reception at the box office.

Thanks to cable television, it found new life and became one of the most loved Christmas movies of all time after it was put into the public domain, which allowed it to be broadcast without licensing or royalty fees. So much so that a flick one could watch virtually every day of the season on a myriad of channels is now regulated, with NBC having exclusive rights to show it...which they do only on a handful of occasions to drive viewership.

In a world in which so many classic movies get a refresh, that there hasn't been a faithful retooling of this movie simply says this is one that got it so right that there is no need to go there.

Happy Holidays...and ring a bell so an angel can score their wings.

The Official Home of Santa

In America, it's kinda hard to argue with the Indiana town called Santa Claus as the home of the big guy.

But, on the world stage, it's Rovaniemi, Finland...the Official Hometown of Santa Claus. 

Essentially leveled by the Germans in World War II, the city was rebuilt in the shape of a reindeer's head with the city's roads forming antlers and the sports stadium as the reindeer's eye. So...it's little surprise that the community doubled down by developing Santa Claus Village and SantaPark Arctic World.

Enjoy the immersion its DMO does on its website.

On my bucket list. And Merry Christmas.

That Simple Touch

To say that I was ready to come come last Friday would be like saying water is wet. Don't get me wrong, the work was thoroughly engaging and the people I met were fabulous (the ultimate perk of this gig). But with only 2 days home since the first of the month? Yeah, I never looked forward more to a flight home.

But, as I made my way down the aisle of the plane, I spied a 3x5 card on my seat. 

Great, I thought...the last passenger peed on the seat or the seat is broken. That card was going to redirect me to another seat, likely worse than I had selected for the four hour flight. My spirits plummeted.

Until I reached the seat...and I find this handwritten card (click image to enlarge) that says "Thank you for choosing us during this holiday season. We hope you enjoy your flight to Atlanta!"

Delta? This is why you are our preferred carrier. Your people are the best.

Happy Holidays to you all...and thanks for taking such good care of us 365.

Michael Nesmith

To honor a true musical talent that left terra firma far too soon AND stick with the Holiday motif of December Music Fridays can be a challenge. So it was with Michael Nesmith, who passed over the weekend, just weeks after completing a leg of the Monkees Farewell Tour with Mickey Dolenz. But, Mike gives us the chance to celebrate his craft as well as share a Holiday tune.

For those too young to remember, the Monkees were an artificially created band designed to capitalize on the video successes of the Beatles on American TV in the '60s. The only problem was that the four actors chosen to become the Monkees actually had musical chops...none more so than Mike, who had already written songs like "Different Drum" (ultimately a breakout hit for Linda Ronstadt) and "Mary Mary." And Michael rebelled against the prefab format dictated by show producer Don Kirshner...ultimately wresting control of the band to its members.

While the Monkees benefited from some of the best songwriters in LA...it was always Michael's songs to which I most gravitated. "The Girl I Knew Somewhere" and "You Just May Be the One." were faves.

And then, there's this. A track from a live Christmas show in which the Monkees sang an a cappella version of the classic 15th century Spanish tune, "Riu Riu Chiu."

I have no memory of this track...but am so glad I went into the Wayback Machine to find it.

And look at all that tinsel.

Godspeed Michael. Give that heavenly house band some sass.

 

Discover the Originals

For some strange reason, Hyundai seems to name a lot of their vehicles after American destinations. But, who knew (except Swedes) that IKEA names hundreds of their products after small Swedish towns and lakes?

Visit Sweden has recently dropped a sensational video encouraging us all to "Discover the Originals."

Brilliant.