Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Just us!
We smiled at each other before heading to the gym for our twice-weekly workout, both pretending we were excited and not just fulfilling a court-ordered agreement with our waistlines.
When we arrived, there was a large media van parked in front of the gym, complete with a giant microphone, satellite dish, and television camera on top. Naturally, I became extremely curious—because nothing says “casual workout” like the possibility of being filmed sweating through a shirt I already regretted wearing.
Upon close inspection, they were unloading the newest piece of equipment at Peak Performance, The Rack. Antony is probably proud of his latest equipment. I tried to turn 180 degrees and return to the car, but Mary insisted.
The rack was a torture device used at the Tower of London, a royal palace that also served as a prison. Starting in the 15th century, the yeoman warders who worked at the tower used the rack to pull on ropes tied to a victim’s wrists and ankles. This machine stretched the body and dislocated the victim’s joints while making them lose a lot of weight.
Yeoman warders used the rack on people suspected of treason and religious heresy to try to get them to confess and give up the names of other “conspirators.” One famous victim was the English writer and Protestant preacher Anne Askew. In 1546, yeoman warders tortured her on the rack and asked her to name Protestant sympathizers. After she refused, officials burned her at the stake. Because the torture made her unable to walk, they had to carry her to her execution.
OUCH!! Antony’s latest addition to the Peak Performance equipment inventory!
Fortunately, the movers did NOT get the new equipment installed before we departed.
We left the gym feeling strong, sweaty, and mildly heroic—then marched straight to The Nail Salon because Miss Mary’s toes had apparently filed a formal complaint and demanded professional attention.
Upon returning home, Mary fixed lunch, and we watched the last two episodes of “Yellowstone”. Seeing the end mean, we can not watch the new spinoff called “Dutton Ranch.”
We did a quick survey of the front yard to establish our plan of attack for Sunday!
Sprinklers, check!
The good doctor checked the new potted plants and climbing roses.
Roses, check!
In the mid-afternoon, we began to get ready for the Paul Simon concert at Campus Jax. It was quite a show with his music beats making our feet tap right along.
- Paul Simon was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1941, but grew up in Queens, New York.
- He and Art Garfunkel first performed together as teenagers under the name Tom & Jerry.
- heir early single “Hey Schoolgirl” was a modest hit in 1957.
- “The Sound of Silence” originally flopped, but became a hit after a producer added electric instruments without Simon’s knowledge.
- Paul Simon wrote much of “Homeward Bound” while waiting at a railway station in England.
- The album Graceland was inspired by South African music and became one of his biggest solo successes.
- Graceland won the Grammy for Album of the Year in 1987.
- Paul Simon has won multiple Grammy Awards, both solo and with Simon & Garfunkel.
- He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice: once with Simon & Garfunkel and once as a solo artist.
- His song “Mrs. Robinson” became famous through the film The Graduate.
- Paul Simon is known for blending folk, rock, gospel, reggae, African rhythms, and world music.
- He wrote “Bridge over Troubled Water,” though Art Garfunkel sang the famous lead vocal.
- Simon & Garfunkel’s breakup became official after the release of Bridge over Troubled Water in 1970.
- Paul Simon’s solo hits include “Kodachrome,” “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,” “You Can Call Me Al,” and “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard.”
- Chevy Chase appeared in the famous music video for “You Can Call Me Al.”
We enjoyed a wonderful dinner before the show with Jim & Vicky and Sandee & Larry!
Good times with good friends.
We headed home around 10:00 pm and immediately crashed, as tomorrow will be a long day since we are going to the Regean Library in Simi Valley to see the 250th Anniversary of our country’s founding.
