Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Bat Shit Crazy


Stay home, everyone!


It's Everything but Party (in Person) Time


ICYMI: Kathy Valentine will celebrate the release of "All I Ever Wanted: A Rock 'n' Roll Memoir' today at 7 p.m. Central time. Details HERE.

Tennis Tuesday


Cameron Henricy Trigolos has quite the spread. More of the 19-year-old Spaniard HERE.

Song of the Day: 'I Love Rock 'n' Roll' by the Arrows


By now you probably heard that the guy co-who wrote and led the band that originally recorded "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" died over the weekend from complications of Covid-19. I'd always known Joan Jett's signature hit was a cover. But it wasn't until reading Alan Merrill's New York Times obituary did I learn so many other fascinating tidbits, including that the song was actually the B-side of "Broken Down Heart," which was the flop followup to the band's biggest hit, 1974's “Touch Too Much.” (The Arrows had some traction in the U.K. but not much here.)

The song eventually caught the ear of the freed Runaway, who recorded it for the first album with her band the Blackhearts, releasing it in 1981. It held the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for seven weeks the following year, and -- with a few tweaks to place the song from a woman’s point of view -- launched Jett’s career as a tough-talking rock star. (Jett would eschew the gender-reassignment for her "Crimson and Clover" followup.)

“I can still remember watching the Arrows on TV in London and being blown away by the song that screamed hit to me,” Jett recalled in a Facebook post on Sunday.

In a 2009 interview with the website Songfacts, Merrill described “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll” as a “knee-jerk response” to the 1974 Rolling Stones song “It’s Only Rock ’n Roll (But I Like It),” and to Mick Jagger’s elite social circle.

“I almost felt like ‘It’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll’ was an apology to those jet-set princes and princesses that he was hanging around with -- the aristocracy, you know,” Mr. Merrill said. “That was my interpretation as a young man: OK, I love rock ’n’ roll.”

And we loved this gem you gave us, Mr. Merrill. RIP.

Page 1 Roundup (03/31)









































Hot Cat of the Day: Spokescat for the world issues statement

Morning Wood


Did someone say BICEPS

Monday, March 30, 2020

Red Alert


Well, this sure is haunting -- although I must say despite the Empire State Building's being visible from my corner, I have not seen this in person. So many sweet friends, readers and family members have been reaching out knowing that Damian and I are living in the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, yet truthfully it's mostly things like this that really remind me. Why, you ask? I have been following the governor's orders to stay at home unless absolutely necessary so have only been outside twice in the past few weeks on late-night runs to the market. Because I'm a night owl, I rarely see that many people when shopping anyway -- so it works out nicely that social distancing is sort of baked in. The times I allow myself to look at the news I see nothing but the grim reality of it all, so think I will stick with my "business as usual (as possible)" model for now. It's keeping me sane ... for now. Stay safe (at home), everyone. xo


"A medical war zone." Read HERE.

The Other Epidemic Sweeping the U.S.: Stupidity


A pal shared these photos with the caption: Brilliant New Yorkers gathering to watch the hospital ship dock. You've got to be f--king kidding me!


To which I replied; All aboard!


Think I'm kidding? Then read THIS.


In related news ...


Mug Shot Monday


This is wrong on many levels -- not even counting social-distancing guidelines.

The Miami Herald reports:
Rene Pedrosa, a former TV personality and trusted aide to Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, was jailed after police said he lured a 16-year-old boy to City Hall, groped him and later sent the teen a dick pic on his cellphone. Pedrosa was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on charges of battery and transmitting pornography to a minor. Earlier, Pedrosa, 48, resigned amid the probe, telling his boss, Suarez, that he was being investigated for some type of “personal misconduct,” the mayor said.
Read more HERE.

Weekend Tennis Roundup

The ATP shows us how social distancing is done ...


If Liam Broady isn't being paid for this, he's being robbed




Is there any chance Neal Skupski and his Real Housewife haven't contracted the coronavirus? 




I liked the sound of his working out ...


How shocking is this -- it still snows somewhere????


Until I saw this





Tommy Haas couldn't keep it inside ...




I'm more interested in Marcelo Arevalo Gonzalez than his birthday-boy friend!
  

I have a photo of Cameron Henricy that's so hot it's an upcoming Tennis Tuesday


I don't like what Damir did to his hair -- but I do like his ASS WORKOUT.


Did Damir do this to you, Guido Pella?


I recommend saving this and viewing it horizontally ...


Benjamin Lock gives Aziz Dougaz the best bday present ever


Diego is giving his insurance broker something to think about!









Dear friends, this is a video from the press conference my wife @jelenadjokovicndf and I hosted this afternoon to announce that we donated 1 million euros through our @novakfoundation to Serbia for the purchase of medical equipment and supplies. We have spent the past several weeks gathering every piece of necessary information on COVID-19 in order to make this informed decision on how my family could make the biggest and best impact on our country. People from the Republic of China have given us tremendous help and support, we cannot thank them enough. I keep receiving calls from all over the world and people want to help but don’t know where or how. We have decided to open an emergency account through Novak Djokovic Foundation where our family money will go and I’m directing any other person that wishes to help to donate there. All the money will go towards the purchase of respirators, medical equipment, and any required supplies like masks. I am fully aware of how much this crisis has impacted everyone on all fronts.. I am touched by the generosity that keeps pouring from across the globe with the intention to give back and help in Serbia. I am very proud to be an athlete in these times, among many greats who have come forward to bring people together at a time when we are apart - to bring hope, community, and inspire others in the same way to use our platforms for good. This is what life is all about - giving. For more information, please visit @novakfoundation and novakdjokovicfoundation.org. Our team is here to help. Stay positive, we will get through this together 🙏🏼❤️. Much love to all, Novak
A post shared by Novak Djokovic (@djokernole) on

Bravo, Mr. and Mrs. Djokovic


Homophobe Chris Worman is at it again.


Cuteness overload!


Answer: Tommy


Stefanos gets artsy ... 


Jan-Michael Gambill found a place to hide out

BTW: Did Borna Coric just out himself with a list of NETFLIX FAVORITES
  



Stan Wawrinka couldn't properly celebrate his birthday, but I like Grigor's request from him!

Song of the Day: 'Camouflage' by Kathy Valentine


Go-Go's bassist Kathy Valentine's long-awaited memoir, "All I Ever Wanted," finally comes out this week, and I sure feel for my pal as it has to be hard to not be able to promote it the way she wanted to with live events and face-to-face conversations. Still, she's getting some incredible press -- I've read it and it's a real page-turner! -- and not just for the book. The quixotic accompanying soundtrack is out now, too.


Listen to the soundtrack on Spotify HERE.


Listen to Kathy on "WTF With Marco Maron" HERE

Page 1 Roundup (03/30)












The Washington Post: Social-distancing guidance remain in place until end of April

Trump takes immediate step to try to curb new inspector general’s autonomy, as battle over stimulus oversight begins

Andrew Cuomo during the Covid-19 crisis is the same as ever, with one big difference: People like him


The New York Times: Medical expert who corrects Trump is now a target of the far right

Liberty University brings back its students, and coronavirus fears, too

Coronavirus slowdown in Seattle suggests restrictions are working

Trish Regan's parents are going to be the most popular people in the retirement community now that their daughter was fired from Fox for being too nutty!


The Wall Street Journal: After three coronavirus stimulus packages, Congress is already prepping phase four

Coronavirus means everyone wants jigsaw puzzles. Good luck buying one.

Coronavirus sparks a global gold rush



Hot Cat of the Day: I think I just found my dream hitting partner!