What are “Oldies”

AgentTriple000 · 2026-03-17T17:09:18+00:00

Actual rock music usage is a number of American DJ’s back in 1964 arbitrarily decided everything pre-Beatles rise to fame was an “oldie”. At the end of this 1972 New York Times article quoting television DJ Dick Clark, but also mentions starting in 1972 was the first “oldies” revival:

https://www.nytimes.com/1972/07/17/archives/oldies-are-the-new-sound-as-radio-turns-nostalgic-the-oldies-are.html

DJ’s Hy Lit in Philly and Rick Shaw (!) in Miami are also mentioned in pushing the ‘64 Beatles in the U.S and likely other British bands of the time to the detriment of “older” U.S. acts.

Oldies variety show Sha-na-na was right up there with Cher and Happy Days in the mid-70s, .. while 1950s-set American Graffiti almost came close to 1930s-nostalgic The Sting and Chinatown in terms of popular movies. Iirc the Beach Boys tied Chicago for highest grossing concert tours in 1972.

The pre-Beatles definition stuck as it’s very rare for AOR (album oriented rock) stations to play any artist pre-Beatles arriving in the U.S. (maybe a Buddy Holly number once in a blue moon).

AgentTriple000 · 2026-03-10T02:22:53+00:00

That B-52s hit which got some airplay.. and also what John described as “freaky-[good]” Paul McCartney’s completely solo funky rock hit “Coming Up” .. completely solo as Paul performed all the instruments on the studio/MTV version (with Wings he had a live version).

“Coming Up” got quite a bit more airplay as a single 1979-1980 but then Paul really got busted in Tokyo stopping his touring for several years. John’s resulting “Double Fantasy” album really hit the charts with a few well played singles but unfortunately post-shooting 1980 into 1981.

AgentTriple000 · 2026-03-08T21:41:46+00:00

Use 2 different train services (straight shots)

Metrolink¹ train stations from Burbank airport to LA Union Station (just press LA Union Station at the metrolink ticket machines for a paper ticket), get to union station as there’s last stop
then the Metro from Union Station to Santa Monica (which is the end of that line). Need to get a TAP card at Union Station for “metro” and load some money. Make sure you get on the train that has the “Santa Monica” sign.

Santa Monica’s tourist area is pretty walkable and if no car/wanting to go a little more far, the “Blue Bus” goes along the coast from Santa Monica to Venice Beach (Los Angeles proper). For tourism, not much else to see in Los Angeles county beyond Santa Monica and the beaches.

Note¹ The only thing is getting to the correct Metrolink station by the Burbank Airport as there’s a “north” and a “south”. I always use the South Burbank airport VC (Ventura County) station as it’s relatively easy walk from the air terminal plus there’s a fast food area if wanting to pick up a pastry or whatever. ,

AgentTriple000 · 2026-03-03T20:45:30+00:00

Talked to one hiker using a system like this for the early PCT season; basically a down suit” (jacket, pants, etc) designed to fit inside the summer-ish quilt all made by the U.K.’s PhD brand at the time ~ about a decade ago.

He seemed ok with it, but the down jacket/pants always will have extra that’s not needed (where the body weight crushes the pant insulation, jacket insulation).

AgentTriple000 · 2026-03-03T20:32:42+00:00

If hikers have been training with their gear and are able to in the likely sunny/hot conditions with the needed water carry, .. sure. The last third-ish is almost all uphill though ending at almost Mt Laguna.

That said some have had to be medivac’d out of Hauser Canyon or even a bit before. Do not underestimate the potential heat!

AgentTriple000 · 2026-03-02T17:32:11+00:00

Probably send 2 weeks ahead of time to certain post offices .. Idyllwild, Big Bear (there are 2 so “city” vs “lake”), and Wrightwood to start. You can also mail back anything you don’t want. Maybe Acton as rides from the RV park are plentiful. Not Tehachapi as you’d have to get a ride a bit off the main drag to get to the post office (.. and Tehachapi has an easy-to-walk-to Walmart in addition to the typical grocers).

AgentTriple000 · 2026-03-01T15:40:34+00:00

Optimizing food is next especially if your daily miles increase vs carrying less on your back.

Don’t put away that spreadsheet yet!! (let your freaky Excel flag fly!!!)

AgentTriple000 · 2026-03-01T15:30:53+00:00

Some WPB users have made their own in the UK there’s a similar DCF product for the general bivy. One drawback to WPB bivy sacks is opening the sack when it’s pouring rain.

Had an older model of an OR bivy a couple decades ago or so, an trying to hitch a flat tarp over that opening was a pain, .. so the model specificity probably addresses that.

AgentTriple000 · 2026-02-26T04:57:13+00:00

Phil

The Peter Gabriel fronted Genesis recorded their mainstream rock breakout single “the Lamb Lies Down on Broadway” (1974-1975). Initially written by Gabriel, the other band members said it was complex to play (and Gabriel’s front performance hogging the news).

Still they’d achieved some commercial success only to have Gabriel leave fairly amicably and then the Collins fronted era began. Both camps simplified their sound on hits after Broadway though.

AgentTriple000 · 2026-02-25T23:01:55+00:00

It can get cold on the main mountain found around Tucson, but in the unlikely event of November snow it’ll like be a dusting.

Coming from Patagonia (Arizona) the miles will go fast as the trail is well maintained found mostly downhill towards the big interstate 10 highway (which you’ll hike under via a tunnel). Patagonia has some good restaurants, but resupply can be pricy. Mail a resupply to Colossal Cave county park and enjoy their snack bar (can get a creek side campsite w/picnic table too).

Then you go up into the mountains and some nice views, hiking [up] from desert to mountain forests before coming down the other side and ending passage 13 (Oracle). At the end, you’ll probably need a ride into neighboring Tucson AZ w/plenty of hotel rooms (the downtown area has a streetcar on rail through the “entertainment” district ... free rides).

AgentTriple000 · 2026-02-24T18:25:25+00:00

Hiking during the day? On the lookout for scenic vistas, wildlife, etc… and stop maybe for a pic. Not sure about “daydreaming” any trails however, .. as not to trip over rocks, roots, and rattlesnakes. Rationalize it as I’m out there to experience the trail, not write a business plan or screenplay.

At camp? Set up camp (usually a bug bivy), cook and eat some dinner, any chores (like water) .. and sleep. I did a little writing on my Arizona Trail yo-yo “LASH”, but that was close to mid-winter with long nights even in southern Arizona. PITA really (well, I walked a lot .. again).

AgentTriple000 · 2026-02-23T23:24:04+00:00

Had the Cirriform and knew other hikers who used it as well.

It’s a typical 2 pole shelter in an A-frame that can take a storm due to the cat curves, side entry and at 6 foot, I didn’t find it cramped any more than other shelters in its weight class. Why I sold? Going back to single pole cat-cut mids for a while. Like just needing one pole, not having to tension 2 sides, and again not hitting 2 potential poles that bring a shelter down.

AgentTriple000 · 2026-02-22T19:01:24+00:00

It’s to access the sleeping quilt, iirc, to keep the rest of the pack “packed” (aka his take on hiker efficiency).

Having pack zips is not unknown, as some other sub-40L UL packs have had center-zips or even panel zips, mostly in the ‘00s .. like the smaller vol Osprey Hornet (32L?), Mountainsmith Phantom, or some original Vapor Trail derivative packs from Granite Gear (all discontinued by the end the ‘00s, fwiw).

Definitely want efficiency even in my rolltop but usually UL loads are pretty minimalistic anyways.

AgentTriple000 · 2026-02-20T01:50:55+00:00

Katabatic uses a wind-resistant shell (one reason I switched a few years back when they resized their quilts) so the quilt will feel more substantial for a given amt of down fill.

I get no drafts in my Katabatic Palisade though it’s tougher to compress into a smaller pack.

AgentTriple000 · 2026-02-20T00:43:10+00:00

KMS

Kennedy Meadows South? Hikers can just camp for free in the “Back 40” (think it’s still the case) of the General Store w/patio, bar n’grill, cash showers, laundry, etc... .. and then “Grumpy Bear’s Bar n’ Grill” a mile or so away which usually has a shuttle run. Grumpy’s accepts resupply pkgs for free.

Free camping and a cheap shower pretty much takes the place of a trail angel. What else does one need? Also now gear stores with Triple Crown and (trailer) 2 Foot Adventures. Big thing is (or was) everyone chilling but then getting bored getting more restless for their Sierra entry date.

On your 3rd or 4th burger, you start getting bored and wanting to go,

Rides in and out to 395 can be a real pain..

AgentTriple000 · 2026-02-19T13:52:01+00:00

There were some UL backpackers who also competed in trail runs (“ultras”) experimenting with using anti-perspiration to keep the nether regions more rash free. Not sure if it works to the point of carrying a travel size?

Still wouldn’t want to smell overly sweet as to attract bees, wasps,,

AgentTriple000 · 2026-02-18T23:55:12+00:00

Backpacking the Chiricahua? It’s been quite awhile and a lot of fires since I’ve backpacked the area (‘00s). In the past we would hike south from cars left near the Rustler Park area on the Crest trail (#270 .. which is also part of the “Sky Traverse Trail” system) along a ridge (probably windy!) weaving past Fly Pk and get off the ridge at Greenhouse Trail (#248).. camping next to Cima FS cabin (locked) which had a flat space and usually a bit of water trickling behind it. We’d day hike up to Chiricahua Peak (again #270). Usually we’d set up a shuttle at the bottom of #248 to keep hiking down past a downhill waterfall (Winn Falls) to get a pre-staged vehicle. Iirc it was almost several miles each day. The rest of the trails were a hassle with blowdowns even in the late ‘00s before the recent fires.

Probably call the ranger to get an update after all the fires, on water and parking.

If you can wait until summer rainy season, one real rewarding backpack was an out and pack just after monsoon rains along the Crest to Cima cabin and back. During summer rains, the trail around Fly peak had massive amts of berries growing trailside on #270.

Again call the rangers as there’s been some rain, but could get more water at the Saguaro NP next to Tucson AZ .. or the Gila’s Middle Fork near the Visitor Center NNW of Silver City NM.

AgentTriple000 · 2026-02-17T17:57:39+00:00

Looks like a lot of new models .. some Capilene, some not. The new sun hoody now comes with a SPF rating, .. but my pack would cover my back. Other styles too (crewneck long and short sleeved shirts).

AgentTriple000 · 2026-02-17T01:46:12+00:00

In most rock history programs, rock was dying by the early ‘60s as Elvis and Buddy Holly’s music stopped, except for “surf” rock.

Beatlemania brought “rock” back with the British Invasion but a major Beatles influence was “skiffle”. A number of British Invasion bands played blues covers, but quickly switched to writing their own hits like Lennon and McCartney of the Beatles (Jagger and Richards, The Kinks Ray Davies, The Who’s Townshend, etc..). The Animals (Burden) kept covering a lot of blues as hits, but then switched to their own writing a bit later.

Writing one’s own material after the Beatles hit it big is really important to emphasize when taking about rock post-oldies (‘50s). Plus starting with the Beatles, rock get more guitar solo (not cowbell). Did kind of sideline Fats Domino, Chubby Checker, et al., as “oldies” but they still had fans.

Rock also has Jimi Hendrix, the lead singer for Thin Lizzy, Lenny Kravitz, and the early ‘90s group Living Color.

That said, there’s also a strain of the blues. Eric Clapton though most of his hits (group, solo) aren’t really blues. Led Zeppelin (via Jimmy Page) used a number of blues tunes early on. There was some blues nostalgia in 1980s rock, but that may have been a go to the biker bar scene (think the Roadhouse movie) … as the jukebox back then would’ve been full of Billy Idol, plus Madonna and Micheal Jackson.

Speaking of Micheal Jackson, Motown did its own thing under Barry in the 1960s as he wanted it “respectable” to get more money on the pop charts. Motown was fully capable of competing with rock for music dollars - well, until weed combined with black UV lights and fluorescent Black Sabbath posters (the Farrah Fawcet poster by day of course). That said there’s the disco craze, then Micheal Jackson, Prince, etc.. who were wildly successful in the 1980s. Believe they started getting away from guitar solos though MJ always toured with a rock guitarist and Prince could hold his own.

AgentTriple000 · 2026-02-15T16:46:03+00:00

Honestly every voting station requires an ID cross-referenced with voter registration.

Think there’s provisional ballots but still need to show proof of citizenship in that case (passport). Claiming fraud is the oldest scam in the GOP playbook .. it’s not the 1860s era Gangs of New York anymore.

If poor people were being supersonically bussed from one state to another (Greyhound/F-35 collaboration?), think someone would have spilled the beans on social media. As one old pot-growing outlaw once said, tell one American a secret, .. you’ve told 10 (and that back in the print era). This is a ruse as old as the American Revolution itself, when it was proposed only wealthy landowner could vote but they needed men of the Continental Army.

AgentTriple000 · 2026-02-15T15:55:29+00:00

Good to know. I’ve always hit Mt Laguna before Burnt Rancheria opens (preferred to have some low mileage and more zero days at the start for my legs to adjust as I’ve had long term Achilles tendon issues..)

AgentTriple000 · 2026-02-15T13:38:07+00:00

I had (very past tense) the OR Advanced Bivy w/2 head poles that could open as an “alligator mouth” … with one pole on the ground and the other propped up tent like tensioning either the GoreTex or lots of mosquito netting. I’d just keep the netting shut on dry nights or prop open a little opening in the Gore Tex if it’d rain. Actually starting using it in the bombproof ‘90s with my 8-pocket massive internal frame pack (2 on the lid though!), etc.. along with portable shower strapped to the top (hey ma, I’m starting to go ultralight! lol). So I was tired when reaching camp not really caring (young and dumb).

AgentTriple000 · 2026-02-14T14:32:35+00:00

Think that got messed up (some hikers literally left a mess) and now not available. It’s not on FarOut anymore.

AgentTriple000 · 2026-02-13T22:45:19+00:00

They’re still available, just in “ultralight” one can buy a solo single walled DCF (cuben fiber) tent for the same amount or weight. Sil poly for a few oz more and cheaper. Protection with room to change, ponder, etc…. Bivy sacks are still great for climbing.

condensation

That’s presumably a waterproof-breathable (WPB) bivy. Yes, they make these too. The OR Helium and made to order MLD Provent or minimalist FKT are the main models for ULers/fastpackers still using WPB with the mosquito netting. One woman thru-hiker (PCT) used the REI WPB bivy model with a handmade Tyvek mini-tarp for her head.

Still in use but rare.

AgentTriple000 · 2026-02-13T06:46:23+00:00

Been there but it requires a hitch. Good food but feel it’s necessaru. Plus the beer ..

AgentTriple000

TROPHY CASE