Foo Fighters new music. “Your Favorite Toy” Listen to the new song below – Lyric Video.

New Album>

So not just a new song but a new album coming April 24, 2026.

As a long time Foo Fighters fan, I am of course looking forward to the rest of the album. There was already one of the new songs that got play a few weeks ago called “Asking For a Friend” which is very much a rocking Foo Fighters song.

Wolfgang Van Halen, son of Eddie Van Halen, created his own band in 2021 called Mammoth WVH. Fast forward to earlier this year, Wolfie worked though legal things, existing names, etc and the band is now called Mammoth, which was what Van Halen the band called themselves in the years before their first album in 1978.

There are two previous albums: Mammoth and Mammoth II. Both albums rock. You should go listen. As for the third album, it is alas not called Mammoth III. And for what we know, “The End” doesn’t mean this is their final album. At least it’s not been answered in any of the interviews Wolfie has done.

Track Listing

1. “One Of A Kind”
2. “The End”
3. “Same Old Song”
4. “The Spell”
5. “I Really Wanna”
6. “Happy”
7. “Better Off”
8. “Something New”
9. “Selfish”
10. “All In Good Time”

Wolfie Shreds

Ten songs and they all have some notes and tones that signal inspiration from Wolfie’s dad. I really like this new album. And after about a dozen listens from start to finish, it has grown on me. So far, “Better Off” is my favorite song on the album. With “I Really Wanna” coming in a close second.

I’ve seen Mammoth live twice now and Woldie and the band mates he has on stage all know how to rock.

For my 8th time in Cabo since 2013, this is also my first time here going solo. It’s was 2 years ago I was here with my now ex-wife as we made one last attempt to decide if we could try to stay together. Alas, it was not to be and we both got on the same page and decided we needed to make the separation permanent. We legally divorced in July 2024.

I find myself now single for 28 months now. I have traveled solo many times over the last 30 years. Some of it for work back in 1990’s. Some of it personal like my trips to Portugal in July 2022 and three trips this year to Las Vegas in April, Raleigh NC and Phoenix AZ in May.

The sunrise this morning was amazing

So what are my plans this trip? Morning walks on the beach. Walks to a few local stores for food and bottled waters and a few walks to the marina to grab a meal here and there. My current unemployment status for just over one year weighs heavy on me. This trip was paid for months ago when I thought I would be gainfully employed by now. I will post more details in another blog post some time here soon. For now, I enjoy the sunrises and hanging by the pool here at Playa Grande resort.

The weather forecast for the week is perfect for this warm weather fan

As for the weather this week, it’s perfect for me. I will enjoy this time as I have the previous 7 times I have been here. It’s one of my favorite places this planet.

Sugar is back. The Bob Mould band that took the early 90’s and brought us the brilliant album “Copper Blue”

They are doing two live shows: New York and the UK. Can’t say I will be attending either of those two shows – even though given time and money, I would totally go.

Give the new single a listen – I posted the YouTube video above. I really like it and feel this is a great time to bring back Sugar. Would love to see them do a complete new album. We shall see.

And yes, that’s my Back To The Future t-shirt.

The 2025 cup

The cup is a 7.11 oz size

Tiff and papa
The mostly yearly event. Yes, there were some years we were not together for this Free Slurpee Day

Another year, another 7-Eleven Day

Grab a cup and fill it up.

We shall see you all next year.

Forty years ago, in a movie theater in Richland, WA, I was about to find out that my name was the lead character in a time travel movie.

It’s amazing to me that this movie – which ended up being one of the greatest movie trilogies of all time – has not only stood the test of time but has also given me the nickname “McFly” when I meet new people in my life. For example, when I meet new people and tell them my name, I always follow up with “Think McFly, Think”

It’s a time travel story that is so fun to watch and regardless how many times I watch it, it is just as exciting as the first time I saw it in the theater 40 years ago.

I own 3 copies of it – including all 3 on Laserdisc and two Blu-ray copies. I have seen all 3 movies at least 200 times over the last 40 years.

So it is with the most celebrated time to say happy 40th to the Back To Future movie.

This was my second and third time seeing Metallica. First time was in November 2018. As with other bands I’ve seen this year, James, Kirk, Rob and Lars are better years later. Much better. And they were great almost 7 years ago.

Night 1 Setlist

1. Creeping Death
2. Harvester of Sorrow
3. Holier Than Thou
4. King Nothing
5. 72 Seasons
6. If Darkness Had a Son
7. The Day That Never Comes
8. Cyanide
9. Orion
10. Nothing Else Matters
11. Sad but True
12. Battery
13. Fuel
14. Seek & Destroy
15. Master of Puppets

Night 2 Setlist

1. Whiplash
2. For Whom the Bell Tolls
3. Ride the Lightning
4. The Memory Remains
5. Lux Æterna
6. Too Far Gone?
7. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
8. Wherever I May Roam
9. The Call of Ktulu
10. The Unforgiven
11. Whiskey in the Jar
12. Blackened
13. Moth Into Flame
14. One
15. Enter Sandman

32 songs Two Nights

As you can see from the above set lists, there are no repeats on either night. This was very well done and a great mix of old and new songs. These two night gigs are becoming more common with bands like Metallica and Pearl Jam.

And for the die hard fans, here is the full set for Night 2. Normally I hate when people film more than just a part of the song, but I will make an exception this time.

Pantera Full Set

This was also my first time seeing Pantera, with Zakk Wylde on guitar and Charlie Benante, standing in for the late Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul, respectfully.

I found this fan-shot full set from Pantera on Sunda June 29, 2025. They were very close compared to where I was in the upper bowl area. The audio is not all that good and the video is erratic but gives you an idea of the band performing.

Road Trip

Myself and 4 friends did the Denver road trip

So this trip started getting planned late 2024. There was just two of us at first then we had 3 others that joined. And we made the 4 day trip happen – 9+ hour drive from Salt Lake City to Denver on Friday the 27th and back on Monday the 30th. Being the first time all of us traveled together, we all got along very well. Which means there could be future road trips.

I have been Type 2 diabetic since 2010 when I started taking metFormin. I took that for about 5 years before I was put on Glimepiride and then 2 years later, I started taking Pioglitazone. They all worked to some degree, except for the metFormin which ended up being more of a placebo. I went to my doctor and he kept pushing more pills on me.

I asked him if I could go on Ozempic as I had heard it worked for others. He kept telling me how expensive it was. Finally, I told him prescribe it and we will see what insurance covers. This was in July 2023. Turns out it was only $25 a pen and my prescription was for 3 at a time.

Each pen holds 4 doses of .25mg or 4 doses of .50mg. I started doing the simple math and realized that if I did 4 doses at .25mg that each pen still had 2 doses at .50mg. So once I started taking the once a week shot – I picked my day as Tuesday – that I could get 6 weeks out of each pen. So for 4 weeks, I would take .25mb each time and then for 2 weeks, I would take .50mg.

Giving Yourself a Shot

So how do you administer the shot. It’s a small needle and you dial up the correct dose – .25mg or .50mg – and then you stick the needle into the fatty part of your belly and hold the button down at the top part of the pen until it stops. I hate needles and shots, but I was comfortable enough to do this once a week.

Results

So what were the results? Within 3 weeks, my numbers were under 130mg/dL for the first time in years. They had been over 200mg/dL even with proper exercise and diet. I rarely drink sodas or eat fried foods. I had already started reducing the amount of metForim I was taking in April 2022, which started at 2000mg a day – 4 500mg pills. Eventually, I stopped taking metFormin completely in July 2024.

I went to see Pearl Jam – my 4th time seeing them live since 1995. It had been over 10 years since I last them at Austin City Limits in October 2014. And in that time, I feel they are so much better than they were in 2014. And they were great then. After 34 years together, they just keep going and getting better live.

Ticket

My commemorative physical ticket – I also had a digital ticket to get into the show

The photo of the physical ticket was part of the ticket I bought through the Pearl Jam Ten Club. I used the digital ticket on my phone to get into the concert as this physical ticket was mailed to me after the actual concert date.

Setlist

1. Release
2. Present Tense
3. Given to Fly
4. Mind Your Manners
5. Scared of Fear
6. Corduroy
7. Dark Matter
8. Daughter
9. Even Flow
10. Light Years
11. Wreckage
12. Jeremy
13. Hold On (tour debut; first time since 2018)
14. Do the Evolution
15. Upper Hand
16. Severed Hand
17. Porch

ENCORE

18. Just Breathe (Eddie, Josh Klinghoffer & Boom Gaspar)
19. Smile
20. Satan’s Bed
21. Unthought Known
22. Alive
23. Baba O’Riley (The Who cover)
24. Indifference

First 6 Songs from Raleigh NC Night 1

This was the night I went to – Sunday May 11th – Mother’s Day. They did two nights in each city on this 5th leg of the Dark Matter tour – with the exception of the New Orleans Jazz Festival. The set lists were different each night, with songs like “Even Flow” and “Alive” being played both nights.

I have clips of songs that I recorded on my iPhone that I’ve not uploaded anywhere.

One Of The Best Concerts I’ve Been To – Ever

Most of you know that I go to a lot of concerts. I did 19 in 2022, 21 in 2023 and 25 in 2024. As of this blog post, I have been to 9 this year.

Pearl Jam was one of the best I have been to in the last 10 years. Easily in the top 5 of concerts since I started going in 1982. It was the setting, the set list and how well the band played. Eddie is amazing live and interacts with the crowd. Mike shreds on guitar and has been one of my all time favorite guitarists. And the rest of the band: Stone, Matt and Jeff along with touring keyboardist Boom Gaspar and touring guitarist Josh Klinghoffer keep up the pace and play so well together. It was a magical experience and one that I am glad I made happen.

I’ve mentioned in a previous post that I tried to make a show happen in 2024, but both time and money prevented that. So when they announced this 5th leg in 2025, I was all “I have to go to a show”. And I picked Raleigh NC for several reasons. One, I had never been to that city before. Two, I figured once I got my name in the lottery for tickets on the Ten Club and was only getting one ticket, that I would have a good chance. And I did. My seat was first row upper bowl on the right side of the venue.

location of my seat

If you want to see other footage of the 2025 shows, there is a lot on YouTube. Worth your while to see some fan footage.

Until they tour again – most likely in 2027 – this was a show to remember.

For anyone who knew of Pee-Wee Herman and watched his on screen movies and and TV shows, this is a documentary you must watch. It’s available now on HBO Max.

My first time watching Paul Reubens character was in the 1985 movie “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” but it started sooner than that for Paul.

Parts 1 and 2

In the 1970’s, Paul joined the comedy group The Groundlings where he carved out his comedy skills. One of those skills was the Pee-Wee Herman character. There was a stage show that he had multiple people participate in. And this is where the documentary goes into great detail. He honed his character and skills and turned into a comedy legend without even knowing it.

Paul went through ups and downs until he was able to get with Tim Burton who agreed to direct the movie “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” which ended up being a fan loved movie. The details and behind the scenes this documentary covers is great. I was so entertained by watching both parts. And yes, this covers the adult theater arrest and all of the downfall Paul went through.

The other details most fans are not aware of is the original Pee-Wee Herman show from 1980-1981, which also includes his audition for Saturday Night Live. There is also coverage of his many visits to the Late Night With David Letterman show.

Paul and the movie director Matt Wolf narrate both parts. Lots of details are revealed about Paul’s late in life battle with cancer. And yes there are many parts covering the TV show Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, which I loved watching every Saturday morning as it aired on CBS fro 1986 to 1990. It also delves into his friendship and ending of the friendship with Phil Hartman, who played Captain Carl on the TV show.

So I just touched on some of the subjects. Go watch this wonderful and very well done documentary. You won’t regret it.

Why did you start blogging in the first place?

I started in 2002. I wanted to post my thoughts on various subjects and other things in my life. I started with Blogspot before moving to WordPress for my ChillyWilly.org blog. I deleted the Blogspot blog after I moved all of my posts to the WordPress site.

What platform are you using to manage your blog and why did you choose it?

All WordPress for my 4 blogs. I chose it cause it’s the standard and used by many and easy to find support for when I run into issues.

I consider this my main blog, which was started on April 1, 2008. The other blogs are Adult Beverages, Chillywilly.org and Scooter Sunday. They need attention.

Have you blogged on other platforms before?

Just Blogspot. I still have an older BLogspot blog that I’ve not touched in 10 years.

How do you write your posts? For example, in a local editing tool, or in a panel/dashboard that’s part of your blog?

The WordPress editor inside the admin page is what I start and finish my posts in. So pretty much raw HTML and copy and paste from BBEdit and sometimes Microsoft Word if I need better spell check and grammar.

When do you feel most inspired to write?

Pretty much anytime, but given my sporadic posting, distractions prevent the post from being posted sooner. I do write down ideas for posts in my Apple Notes app.

Do you publish immediately after writing, or do you let it simmer a bit as a draft?

About half of my posts are posted right away. If I am working on a post that needs more work like photos or other links, then those take more time. Sometimes a lot more time.

What are you generally interested in writing about?

Pretty much any subject, but most of my posts are about music.

Who are you writing for?

Mostly me, but I hope others who read my posts will reply and interact here and there.

What’s your favorite post on your blog?

This one when I dressed up as Marty McFly for Halloween in 2012.

Any future plans for your blog? Maybe a redesign, a move to another platform, or adding a new feature?

Yes. I need to get HTTPS added. I have put it off way too long.

Who else do you want to tag?

Given the core three of us that regularly interact with each other, I will tag Kevin Spencer.

Alright. Let’s update you all where I am at in life 31 weeks out of work and other life adventures.

Given the photo I posted, I was at Universal Studios Florida for 5 days with a friend. Her name is Cyndi. We dated last year, but after evaluating where we were at after a few dates, we decided that we would remain friends. So a few weeks ago, she reached out to me and told me that she wanted to to go Universal Studios and I was the only one she wanted to go with. She paid for most of the trip. And we learned we travel well being our first trip together. And we had a lot of fun. Nothing happened other than fun. Most of my friends are female. So this wasn’t awkward in anyway. Just two friends enjoying a vacation together.

Speaking of dating, I am not dating anyone at this time. Heidi, who I dated for 3 months ended things in March. We are still friends, but I really connected so very well with her and it was hard to end our dating times. I will go into more details in a future post including photos with her and other friends.

Work wise, I an still looking for a job. It’s frustrating. But it what it is. I am still getting unemployment till the first week of July. I have enough money to get me to the middle of October. Once I run out of unemployment, I will go get a job anywhere if I haven’t already found one before then. At this point, I am concerned, but not stressed. I know that sounds on a level of “Where are you?” place in life. But I am dealing with this the best I can.

Still living in my apartment. Been here almost 11 months. When I travel, I have my daughter or my ex-wife watch Forrest. She gets wet food in the morning and I have an autofeeder for her hard food.

It’s been sporadic, but I do plan to blog more. I have several posts that I have been working on – mostly music themed.

Basically, this is where I am at in life.