Christmas is that special time of year when we laugh with the people we love. We get toys for the kids and big toys for the grown-up kids! LOL! We also eat things that we MUST have. My favorite essential Christmas Cuisine includes Chocolate Brownies with Walnuts or Pecans. Decorating the tree and the house is fun until you must take it all down and store it sometime in early January.
Sunday, December 1, 2024 - First day for all Vagabonds near and far to see and hear The 2024 Top 25 Favorite Christmas Song Countdown with some special tracks for the discerning listener. This is the twelfth year of this trip through the world of music of every genre imaginable. I hope you find something to enjoy. So here we go - MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Here are a couple of videos to get all the readers of this world-famous Travel Blog in the mood for the upcoming Christmas Top 25.
First Up - One of the most popular female comics performing today gives some thoughts on how to make sure Christmas works for the kids - Leanne Morgan on Christmas.
Enjoy this unpretentious scene in a great film, Angels Sing, starring Harry Connick Junior as Michael the History Professor, with a song that shows the beauty of Christmas. This scene featuresLyle Lovettand Kat Edmonsonsinging a masterful low-key version of Christmas Time is Here bringing love and joy to Michael and his family.
Starting December 1 - The Top 25 Christmas Songs of 2024!
TOMORROW IS THE BIG DAY - ALL NOMADS LOVE THANKSGIVING - WHETHER YOU'RE AT HOME, AT GRANDMA'S HOUSE OR A FRIEND'S PLACE - THANKSGIVING IS A SPECIAL TIME FOR FAMILY, KIDS, FRIENDS AND MAYBE A LITTLE EXTRA FOOD!
I love everything about Thanksgiving - the food, the fun, the laughter and the football, even if your team isn't playing or your team is not any good like the 2024 version of the Garnet & GoldSeminoles representing Florida State University. I have such fond memories of all the people I have been blessed to see and enjoy on Thanksgiving - family, friends and relatives as well as new people I have met. This grand American Holiday was made official by a proclamation of President Abraham Lincoln in the midst of the Civil War in 1863 to observe this day of Thanksgiving every November.
Enjoy some thoughts, humor and music as you celebrate this blessed day with the people you love.
First up - Enjoy the greatest late night talk show host of all time Johny Carson as he has an interesting discussion with the one and only Director of The Tonight Show Orchestra Doc Severinson on the highs and lows of Thanksgiving - 1979!
Enjoy some letters from kids presented by Comedian and Television Host Steve Harvey.
From one of the hottest comics performing today on Thanksgiving - Nate Bargatze!
Random musings from some famous thinkers, writers and humorists!
Today, on our special American Holiday Thanksgiving, enjoy some funny thoughts from one of America's greatest comics - Jim Gaffigan!
From 1992 - Saturday Night Live was still pretty funny back then. This video features Adam Sandler & Kevin Nealon performing a comical number celebrating Thanksgiving as they sing about how much Sandler likes to eat turkey while throwing in a few words that rhyme!
WHAT DOES TRAVEL REALLY MEAN TO A WANDERING NOMAD?
That was my first thought when I wrote the first post on this travel blog - March 5, 2011 - Stop the World, I do NOT want to get off!I decided to go where I had never gone before - the blogosphere. The real idea behind this blog is still actually twofold: 1) We have enjoyed a fair amount of travel and shared those experiences as Wandering Vagabonds and 2) Here's what makes this blog different - Some people think where they stay when they travel isn't important as long as it's clean, has a good bed, good water pressure and a decent price. If you subscribe to that philosophy, then this blog is probably not for you. I believe that where you stay, the uniqueness of a place and the quality of the environment can actually change your mindset, even your reality of a country, its people and its culture. And I am not just talking about 300 count Egyptian cotton bedsheets! I am talking about places that have a unique architectural and even artistic quality that makes traveling transcend the idea of a vacation.
So - here I am still writing
about experiences to help all Nomads plan their travel to interesting places without breaking the bank. I must stress the importance of travel with people that you really like and love. I have always travelled with my wife and best friend, Susie, who loves experiencing interesting things and interacting with people. She also accepts the sometimes weirdness of travel with an architect. She just smiles quietly, understands me and accepts my obsession with things most people couldn't care less about. BTW - Castello di Tornano pictured above in the romantic wine country of Tuscany is under $200 a night in early spring or Fall.
Our first trip to Italy was in 2005. I was completely smitten at the tender young age of 56! LOL! I fell in love with its people, its food, its architecture, old and new, its art and its culture. When I saw the 17-foot-high Statue of David by Michaelangelo in the Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence / Firenze, I realized the world can teach us plenty about the beauty of life.
From the five villages of Cinque Terre in the North to the romance of Central Tuscany to the hills and history of Umbria to the ancient architecture of Italy's largest city Rome, this ancient yet modern country is a place for all Vagabonds to see and feel.
Next week, we'll discuss some more specific places and "To Do Things" in the country that invented the Calendar as well as many other things we use and enjoy today.
Travel Quote of the Day:
To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries - Aldous Huxley
From the daughter of the great sitar player Ravi Shakarand winner of multiple Grammies and other awards is a song perfect for thinking about and enjoying wandering with the one you love - Norah Jones performs Come Away With Me.
There are some places - hotels & restaurants - that must be applauded when you travel. I write this blog to further the cause of excellent travel that does not require a second mortgage. Then, there are those places on the other side of town, or down the street that make such an impact that they must be praised in the manner of "We're Not Worthy!" from the film Wayne'sWorld. Places that just knock your socks off. Here, in God's Country, the venerable mid-sized university town of Tallahassee, Florida, there are so many restaurants from cheap and delicious to amazingly delicious and worth every penny.
If you are a Tallahassean, you should go out to eat with friends and family. I promise you will not regret it. All you have to do is take a seat and eat great food. You can also order great food for pickup and/or delivery. The list of restaurants on today's post are listed only if we have actually enjoyed the food from each restaurant.
CHEAP & GOOD
Best place for delicious sandwiches, salads and soups. Reasonable prices with excellent service will ensure great food from their diverse menu with locations on Monroe Street, Capital Circle SE and Market Street. Just order Online and pick it up or eat in - HOPKINSEATERY.
We have pizza at least once a week. The pizza from this place never fails to make you feel good. With a great menu with every topping you can imagine, this place will fill you up and make you smile. Order Online and pick it up or have it delivered -BRICKARD PIZZERIA.
When you want a great breakfast, the best place to go is Uptown Cafe on Miccosukee Road. IMHO - This restaurant has the best omelet I have ever tasted. They also have a diverse menu for brunch or lunch. You can pick up or eat in. I recommend eating in. It has a nice environment and great service - UPTOWN CAFE.
If you're after some simply prepared tasty seafood, then head to The Wharf with two locations in our Capital City on Bannerman Road and Lagniappe Way just off Mahan (US 90). They have a diverse menu of seafood, salads and other delights. They even have Shrimp & Grits! Both locations have Pickup and Door Dash Delivery. You can order Online or at their place - WHARF CASUAL SEAFOOD.
GREAT FOOD WORTH EVERY PENNY!
First on this list is a very small, intimate Bistro on Miccosukee Road. Their menu includes an array of Italian, Seafood, Chicken, Filet Mignon and choices that will satisfy the most demanding pallet. They also have delicious Appetizers. This is a place for the perfect romantic dinner for two. Their wine offerings are excellent and diverse as well. Their dessertS include Tiramisu, Creme Brulee and a few other desirable choices. Great service with delicious food - MIMI'S TABLE BISTRO & WINE BAR.
For over 25 years, this funky restaurant has been serving great food. It has been listed as one of Florida's Top 400 Restaurants by Florida Trend Magazine. Even the New York Times calls it "A great little restaurant". As their web site says - "We serve Amazing Meals Funky and Eclectic". The menu has it all - great Seafood, Linguini, Shrimp, Italian Pasta and on and on. Great wine and deserts will compliment your choice of lunch or dinner. As they love to say - "Eat, Drink & Talk Loud, You're Among Friends". Great philosophy - KOOL BEANZ CAFE.
This innovative eatery has a Five Star rating on Trip Advisor. Small Plates, Salads, Large Plates, Wine and Desserts - All Good. This small, intimate place has great service and amazing food that includes, IMHO, the best Shrimp & Grits I have ever tasted. Located on East Lafayette Street about a mile from downtown I highly recommend reservations. They are always busy. It's not cheap but you will nor regret a single penny you spend for food this great - LUCILLA.
"Everything you see, I owe to pasta" - Sophia Loren. 'Nuff said. Pasta will accept virtually anything to make it taste great. Red sauce, white sauce, shrimp, sausage - it really doesn't matter. Great Italian food is the culinary equivalent of a beautiful woman like Sophia! LOL!! The first place I go to for great Italian is on the corner of North Monroe and East 5th Avenue. Bubble Bread, Lasagna, Shrimp Scampi are just a few examples of a long diverse list of great Italian dishes they serve - Enjoy - BELLA BELLA.
Another Italian Restaurant that all fans of great Italian must enjoy is located just inside the entrance to Killearn Lakes. Providing the "fine dining experience" for lovers of great Italian food from pizza to pasta it's all great. They offer indoor seating or alfresco dining on their patio. So, take your significant other and enjoy some great Italian food - Z BARDHI's ITALIAN CUISINE.
That's it for this week. Next week - more thoughts on cuisine in our fair city.
Like all people, I have a list of things I regret not doing. I never went to the next level as a pianist. I did win a Talent Show in the 9th grade playing The Boogie Woogie Blues with a good friend, a drummer, Jack Hayward. We blew the roof off the place. It was the most thrilling 5-10 minutes of my life. There are a million reasons I quit playing far beyond this erudite article on regrets. I also never learned to dance. When I see a Reel on Facebook showing some modern insane dancer, I tell myself "I wish I could do that". Today's videos show the best of the best from performers who followed their dreams.
I must say, however, I checked the most important boxes - I married the most amazing woman who loves music like me, and I have two kids that have never disappointed their parents as kids or adults, and they love great music old and new. I joke all the time - In my next life I want to be a rock star. There's just something extraordinary about singing to a crowd, large or small, that is in rhythm with what you are singing, playing or dancing.
So, today's post features the best dancers past and present.
First up - Very Old meets Very New - A roster of some of the greatest dancers in history in rhythm with a multi award winningtune, released in 2014, written by British Record Producer Mark Ronson and featuring Bruno Mars delivering the funk in this great tune -UPTOWNFUNK.
If you like pop and if you like jazz - this one's for you
This guy impresses as the current old school/new school singer that combines pop with jazz. He started out as a Wedding Singer. Like they say - things are different now. He has won five Grammies and a slew of other awards. This tune has great singing and some insane dancing by a crew of red clad dancers -MichaelBubléperforming HIGHER!
Here's one of the greatest doing his thing - 1962
I saw this great dancer, actor, singer, performer on Broadway in 1964 in the hit GOLDEN BOY with my family. It was an eye opener indeed for a Southern boy from tiny Tallahassee at the age of 15 enjoying a great performance in the Big City on The Great White Way. Enjoy some of the most amazing dancing you will ever see as Sammy taps his way into the hearts of Italians during a tour of Italy - Sammy Davis Jr. Tap Dancing - Italy 1962.
THE KING OF POP - A talented unique artist
I never had the pleasure of seeing this amazing talent live. This phenomenal pop star, winner of fifteen Grammies, redefined Pop Music every time he recorded or stepped on a stage. Here is a short clip showing moves like no other. IMHO - One of the coolest videos ever performed and recorded - Michael Jackson - Live in Bucharest 1992 - SMOOTH CRIMINAL!
Another Singular Talent - IN THE RAIN
This singer, actor, dancer, choreographer, performer danced, choreographed and directed over forty films from 1942 to 1997. He was old school perfect with smooth moves like no other. Here is a nice clip as he performs the title song - GENE KELLY - SINGIN' IN THE RAIN 1952.
They say she's the greatest Female Dancer in Hollywood History
This video shows us how it was done when art and emotion combined to show us the beauty of the human spirit through dance. This talented hoofer does it right with some of the greatest dancers in history. CYD CHARISSE - THE BEST FEMALE DANCER IN HOLLYWOOD HISTORY!
Another Great One from 1951
This clip is one of the most creative dance numbers ever performed. I was a mere two years old when this was recorded! But - my parents made sure I listened and watched this kind of music and dance growing up. I still have my very own WHITE CHRISTMAS album by the great Bing Crosby given to me when I was around ten! Anyway, here is the great Fred Astaire who won too many awards in film to count. From the movie Royal Wedding Astaire does some crazy dance steps with an unusual partner - FRED ASTAIRE - DANCING WITH A HAT RACK - 1951!
And Last But Not Least - THE KING
I think most Nomads can agree that ELVIS was, indeed, the King of Rock & Roll. Most of his movies never made it to the Oscar nominating list. However, one movie has one of his greatest tunes with some serious dancing. Released in 1957, this tune is one of the greatest rock and roll songs ever recorded. It quickly became No. 1. Elvis sold over a billion records. Not too bad for a boy from Tupelo. I never got to see this artist that changed modern music like no one else. This great video has had 264,742,896 views as of December 2007 - ELVIS, THE KING OF ROCK & ROLL - JAILHOUSE ROCK!
ELVIS THE MOVIE - 2022
And just to show that great dancing is still with us, enjoy the first concert scene from the 2022 movie ELVIS. Like his band mates said - They wanna' see you wiggle! Starring Australian actor Austin Butler as Elvis and Tom Hanks as Colonel Tom Parker, the popular film won multiple awards. This scene captures the essence of Elvis from the fifties and the dancing ain't bad either - ELVIS - FIRST CONCERT SCENE!
