Saturday Overnight Open Thread (7/27/24)

The doctor turns to him and says, “Sir, do you have any idea how many politicians it takes to get an ounce of brain?" (H/T Hrothgar)

I've never heard of the following restaurant let alone eat at one. I have no idea if they are top 10 material or not.

Del Taco has been named by USA TODAY as America's No. 1 fast food restaurant, ending Chick-fil-A's nearly decade run as the top chain.

The Mexican restaurant chain was selected by readers as the nation's best, followed by KFC and Chick-fil-A.

"This popular taco stop, which serves all kinds of satisfying Mexican fare including burritos, quesadillas, and nachos, also offers burgers and fries. In addition, Del Taco has a dedicated breakfast menu, as well as a vegan and vegetarian menu," USA TODAY wrote.

Del Taco, which is based in California. is reported to have 594 total locations in just 18 U.S. states. USA TODAY's full list of America's top 10 best fast food restaurants is included below:

I suppose if QDPSteve were lurking he would know.

There are plenty of things to do in North Dakota. North Dakotans disagree with me.

A new map offers an intriguing glimpse into the beer-loving culture that thrives in throughout America, showcasing a significant variance in consumption from state to state.

John Mayall was a great musician. And many of his band mates went onto bigger stardom such as Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page. RIP John Mayall.

I received the following note earlier this week.

MH,

John Mayall has passed. The NY Times wrote a lovely obit about Mr. Mayall.

He truly was a Blues and Rock and Roll titan.

I first encountered him through the Bluesbreakers with Clapton album. My friends and I literally wore out few copies of it while learning the music. It was life changing and became a musical anchor point over the decades.

Many years later, when I was living in downtown Seattle in a small studio apartment, I would often walk to Jazz Alley to hear many memorable musicians such Chick Corea, Dr. John, Christian McBride, and of course, Mr. Mayall. It was a lovely venue, two tiers, all seats up close or on top of the bands. The audiences were all smart, civil, and knew their stuff - the exact opposite of drunk shitheads that go to clubs and arenas and spend their entire time watching the show through their cell phones.

Mr. Mayall came through every June or July for 4 nights, 2 show each night, and I made it a point to hit a show a day, sometimes both. Over the years I lived there and before I moved to New Mexico, I must have seen him 20 times. The bands were always tight as hell and during each set there would be moments of stunning greatness where everything fell apart, got loose, stopped being music, and become pure sound energy that reached right into you – Mayall got that out his bands, it was stunning.

The Jazz Alley merch table was located right where patrons would enter the main floor. Each night before the show, there would be Mr. Mayall at the merch table, his mind a million miles away with his eyes blank, until somebody would come up, far fewer that you would expect, and he would then instantly spring to life. He would personally sell them a CD, autograph it, have a few nice words, take a pic with the fan and as soon as they left, he would revert to that other state. I came to love watching that part of the show and sometimes I would hang back in the shadows soaking in those moments.

I only approached him one time at the merch table, and it was to thank him for that album, how I wore out a few copies as a youth, how it completely changed how I thought about blues and rock and roll, and that I still pull it out with some regularity. Instead of snapping to life as I have explained he sort of pulled back, slightly shocked, slightly not sure what to do, he then said, “you don’t want a picture with me?” I replied, “Mr. Mayall, not needed, I am just happy to have had this moment to share with you how much I have appreciated your work over the decades, and that I get to come to Jazz Alley every night you are in Seattle.” He didn’t directly reply, instead he looked down for a moment in thought, paused for a few seconds, and then his head came up and uttered, to me, the ever-immortal words, “It did have some energy, didn’t it?” I agreed, shook his hand and found my seat.

About mid-way through that set, he stopped to discuss that next song was one he hadn’t played for a live audience for decades and that he hoped we wouldn’t mind listening to something that old. He then counted off, 1, 2, 3, 4 and the band launched into a blistering extended version of “All Your Love” from that album. It was then my turn came to be shocked and not sure what to do; I do recall having a few tears right there on the main floor at Jazz Alley, a couple tables back from the band. That is the only time he ever called a tune off that album in all the shows I got attend. It was a moment.

Great live performance can be like that.
Regards,

Altaria Pilgram, formerly known as the artist, Lost in Space.

Before saving his next basement, he became tonight's: Genius Award Winner.

‘He was struggling’: Firefighter crashes fire engine, admits to drinking 18 beers before shift

PETERSBURG, Va. (WWBT/Gray News) - A Virginia firefighter is on administrative leave following a crash involving a fire engine he was driving and a parked car.

The reported collision occurred Tuesday afternoon when a fire engine being driven by 34-year-old Petersburg firefighter Aaron Michael Hinspater crashed into a parked car near the intersection of Sycamore and Bank Streets

Tonight's ONT has been brought to you by Creative Graffiti.

Notice: Posted with permission by the Ace Media Empire & AceCorp, LLC. A surprise inspection was held by upper management. Do not, I repeat do not say the following, "Ok, I'll be peace and you can be quiet."

posted by Misanthropic Humanitarian at 10:02 PM

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