Because you need some added direction in your hectic life, it's time for another ASK MrScorpio...

[MrScorpio]

In these uncertain times, a sure tested voice of reason and common sense is required to help make sense of an ostensibly senseless world. That is why I'm taking this time out to help those of you who wish to partake on this exercise and in these times of need to lend my unique perspective and even impart an encouraging word or two. It's the least of what I can do for all of you who have, in turn, given me so much enrichment to my own life.

So, please, take some time out from your busy day, and allow me help resolve a troubling matter for you, lend some advice, assess an incident or just partake of some playful banter. This is all about you and for you, of course.

As always, you may or may not approve of the answers that I give you, but I do promise to answer you in an honest and straight-forward way.

So, I welcome you all to this moment of awe and wonder… Welcome to Ask MrScorpio!

The curtain rises, the house lights brighten, the players are entering the scene, let the magic begin.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

1. Mr. Scorpio, how many degrees of separation are between you and Ceila Cruz?

...after all, you know everyone...

[MrScorpio]

3. Well, one time I met Tito Puente in 1984 in Austin, TX when he came to play on 6th Street

And as you know, Tito was a frequent collaborator with Celia Cruz...



But hey... Why should I leave it there?

This is Tito with Carlos Santana:



And Santana jammed with Roy Ayers in 1977, as per his own website:

http://www.santana.com/Carlos-Jamming-With-Players/A/

And last but not least, here I am with Roy Ayers himself:



There you go!

[Scuba]

2. Memphis Slim or Pinetop Perkins?

[MrScorpio]

4. Well when it comes to Blues giants...

I'll just say whatever strikes your mood at the time.

There's no justice in choosing one over the other.

[Scuba]

6. You are very wise!

[Sanity Claws]

5. What do I get for her?

We have a Secret Santa in our office and I'm supposed to get a gift for a young woman who just started. I don't know her and asked others in the office if they had suggestions. They really don't know her either so no good suggestions came from that.
So, Mr. Scorpio, what do you in your infinite wisdom, suggest that I get this young woman?

Edited to add: The limit is $15.00

[MrScorpio]

7. Thanks for adding the limit price because that would have been my first question...

Do-it-yourself gift basket:

Fill it with things like teas, pancake mix, syrups, jam or honey, maybe some bath soaps, sponges or oils.

Basically, everything you need is at the local drugstore or grocery story.

[Sanity Claws]

8. That's very sensible

The only problem is that she has to bring it home on the subway so it can't be too big or heavy.
I'll check out whether she's drinking tea or coffee today.

Thank you, Wise One.

[callous taoboy]

9. Dear Mr. S.

I am hosting Christmas this year and am in a panic because I cannot find my Burl Ives Christmas album. I would just order the CD but my dad will FREAK OUT if he doesn't hear all of the hisses and pops from the old album.

[MrScorpio]

13. Check your PM

[callous taoboy]

17. You are both busy and noble. Thanks!

[Brigid]

10. Dear Mr. Scorpio:

Are the Blues Brothers a true blues band?

[MrScorpio]

14. Ha, ha, ha, ha… Ha, ha, ha!!!!

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!



Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!




Uh… No.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

21. Backing like that could make anybody sound good.

Even Ackroyd and Belushi.

I'm waiting for Blues Brothers 2 to come onto DishTV because it has Steve Winwood in it and he is one of my idols.

[hibbing]

11. Dear MrScorpio

Should I cut my sandwich in half horizontally, or diagonally?

Peace

[MrScorpio]

15. Slice it in the direction from which you will derive the most taste deliciousness

Just make sure to use a sharp knife, rather than a butter knife. Dull butter knives will dull the flavor.

[olddots]

12. Dead Mr. Scorpio

Were Buddy Powell and Richard Tee the best piano players in galactic history ?

[MrScorpio]

16. We all have our favorites…

If you want to go with Powell and Tee, they're obviously the best in your galaxy.

But there other stars in the vast universe, here are a couple of mine: Hazel Scott and Joe Sample…

[Manifestor_of_Light]

20. What, no Art Tatum???

I heard he was the best piano player of the 20th century. Besides, he hung out with Vladimir Horowitz and Arthur Rubinstein (giants in the classical piano world) and swapped licks.

[MrScorpio]

22. Too many to count

With all this greatness in the world, "the best" is so subjective.

[First Speaker]

18. Dear Mr Scorpio--Mays or Mantle?

Mantle was clearly the superior offensive player--his 1956, 1957 and 1961 seasons were almost Ruthian. Willie never had a single season to match them. But Willie was also clearly the superior fielder. As for speed--Willie stole more bases, Mantle hit into fewer double plays, and it was generally conceded before he hurt his knees that Mantle was the fastest player in baseball. Mantle did a little better in MVP voting, but Willie had tougher competition in the National League. While they were active, Willie was generally regarded as the better of the two, but Mantle's stock has risen with the study of advanced metrics. At the time, I loved Willie and--ahem--didn't love Mickey. And you absolutely have to choose between them--no "ties" are permitted in this particular contest. Your thoughts?

[MrScorpio]

19. Aren't they BOTH in the Hall of Fame?

If they were both good enough to share space there, they're both good enough to share a space in any fan's heart. There's no "I" in "team," and none in "baseball" either.

Appreciate them both for what they each individually gave to America's Pastime, and questions like that would lose their importance.

Besides, you're measuring each by who you "love" and who you don't, so your mind is already made up. Which means that you gaging each of their stats is merely a distraction from admitting what you already feel in your heart.

[irisblue]

23. dear Mr Scorpio

I am having trouble meeting other women who are liberal/progressive Democrats for friendship maybe more later. I have joined a few on line groups, being careful to describe my self as liberal progressive woman seeking same, putting up honest pictures, I've gone to some demonstrations, smiled at people, invited some for coffee..."Sure let me get Debbie" not effective. I have to stay in this state till workers compensation rebuilds my damaged knee, so moving right now isn't an option. I don't think I'm giving off a desperation aura, but my closest friends live 2 states over so they can't give me feedback. Help any advice?

[MrScorpio]

24. Where are you? That would help nt

[irisblue]

25. Columbus Ohio

and till this workers comp thing gets fixed, I gotta stay here. ( this states WC program is really messed up) I'm sure the brace strapped over my jeans isn't much help either, so I bought some small battery operated holiday lights to go for a twinkle affect.

[MrScorpio]

26. College town, both good and bad...

Good, because college towns usually have a lot of things to do, bad because most of the people doing it are either too young or too drunk to be of any use.

This is a tough call. It's always hard for me to advise on single's life, because I haven't been single for almost 25 years.

I just checked Yelp for the lesbian bar scene in Columbus, and it's pretty freaking bare. Not sure if you want to do that.

How does a cooking class sound? You've got me a little stumped. Other than hanging out with friends of friends, I'm not sure how to meet people. In my day, that thing just sort of happened, or it didn't.

[UglyGreed]

27. Mr Scorpio, I've always wondered if

there is any animal on this earth that couldn't care less than the Honey Badger???

[MrScorpio]

28. Sharky the Pit Bull

[UglyGreed]

35. Well bless my soul

my torment has ended!!! Thank you dear sir thank you!!!

[steve2470]

29. most fun big city you were ever in (leaving out Detroit :) )

I know you live near Detroit, which is an obvious fave. Happy Holidays, MrScorpio!

[MrScorpio]

30. OH, yeah!

That would be the DC spring and summer festivals. Great music and Food. Taste of DC is great one. That place is like my second home.

The second place would be visiting the tops of the WTC and the Empire State Building, plus hanging out at Liberty Island back in the 80's and 90's.

DC and NYC, great times were had.

[riderinthestorm]

31. Wild teenager applied for a waitressing job at Twin Peaks today

Last edited Thu Dec 18, 2014, 09:06 PM - Edit history (1)

Here's the website:

http://www.twinpeaksrestaurant.com/

Its basically a Hooters.

As her feminist-kick-ass-empowering mom, I'm having trouble being supportive of this. Her "interview" consists of simply putting on the outfit and getting her picture taken.



I was pretty much struck speechless when she told me where she was going as she sailed out the door (I was choking on my coffee at her announcement which is why she timed it right as she was leaving I'm sure). I only managed to gasp out that she'd never get the job as she's never waitressed, which is when she airily told me that experience doesn't matter along with the brief description of how the "interview" was structured.

Any suggestions on what I say to her when she gets the job?

Shit. Editing to add she got the job (she just texted me). Of course she got the job dammit. She looks just like the long haired blonde on the damn website.

Did I mention they PAY the "interviewees" $100 to "interview"???!

I'm going to get a drink. I may be too drunk to respond to your good advice when you get back to me. For the moment I'm ignoring her text message.

[MrScorpio]

33. Far be it from me to give parenting advice, as I've never been a parent

But the only thing I would say as a human being is that we all make bad choices from time to time... And that's the greatest thing ever.

Times like those become learning experiences and it gives opportunities to those who care about us to express the unconditional love that they have for us when we need it.

She's going to need someone in her corner, I'm quite sure that when the time arrives when she realizes her mistake, if it is one, you'll be there. If she's happy, be happy with her and try not to judge.

When the time is right, she'll know that you were there.

[rurallib]

32. What Christmas movies have the Scorpio seal of approval

or recommendation?

[MrScorpio]

34. Any movie that you can play a drinking game while watching

I suggest that you stock up on the holiday cheer and watch as many as possible.

[Major Nikon]

36. Are Billy Joe and Bobbie Sue still on the run?

[MrScorpio]

38. Of course, they are...

Hence why jumping off bridges became such a popular pastime.

[steve2470]

37. Is Detroit really coming back, or is teh librul media lying to us AGIN ?!one

Seriously, how are things doing ?

[MrScorpio]

39. Detroit's never going to be the same that it used to be...

If and when it does come back (and I have no idea when), it's going to look like a completely different city.

Unfortunately, Detroit is a microcosm of America's overall problem with wealth inequality and white flight. The solution to the city's problem would be investing in a robust working and middle class. However, the city is nothing more than a testing ground for billionaires and their self-interested hare-brained schemes. The City's politicians, with little clout themselves, have no say in how these billionaires are working to turn Detroit into their personal playgrounds.

If I could describe what's going on here, I would say that Detroit is in the midst of life imitating art right now. It's a ROBOCOP scenario, without a flashy Alex Murphy cyborg shooting up the place and telling people to "Have a nice day."

As long as wealth inequality remains a persistent problem in this country, Detroit with remain its largest sacrifice zone. Sorry to say that, but I don't see any immediate improvements in our future.