Inspirations

In loving memory

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It’s with sadness that I write that Nichelle Nichols has passed away.

The Star Trek character of Officer Lt. Uhura was one that shaped my view of the world as a child in the 1960s. For me black women belonged as people of responsibility who made things work, all because of her. She was not only part of, but important . She was there in front of me every week in a show I idolized. I had no idea that women of color weren’t actually equal in any way at the time as I was too young. Therefore her character shaped this young white boy’s view of the world toward equality and acceptance. For that I am grateful.

For many people, especially those of color, she was an inspiration at a time of oppression and segregation.

I had the honor of meeting her in person at Comic Con in 2018.

Nichelle Nichols and Fearsome at San Diego Comic Con (SDCC) July 21, 2018

In my hand is a toy called a Pop. It was of her as Uhura and she signed it. I treasure it and this photo today. As you can see we shared a moment of joy together. Her support staff was so taken with her obsession with Fearsome they even took photos with their phones for themselves. We were all laughing as she tugged on him. Her presence uplifted me that day and I’ll never forget the moment. She was truly a beautiful woman with a beautiful soul.

Nichelle, thank you for shaping a generation toward betterment. You’ve left behind a legacy that will not be forgotten as you have given inspiration to millions.

Godspeed.

Uhura Pop

 

In Memory

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One of my inspirations passed away yesterday.

ZZ Top – Gimme All Your Lovin’ – Official Video – 1983

Dusty Hill the famously bearded bassist of ZZ Top passed away at 72 years of age 7/28/21.

ZZ Top formed as a group in 1969 with the current configuration of Billy Gibbons, Frank Beard (the non bearded drummer) and Dusty Hill performing together continuously since 1970. Here is a classic from 1971 that shows the raw talent and depth of this trio.

ZZ Top – Brown Sugar – 1971

The last recorded performance is this one from not quite two weeks ago.

ZZ Top – Gimme All Your Lovin’ – Live – 7/16/2021

Thank you Dusty for the incredible tunes and the Bearded inspiration. Godspeed.

How’s Fearsome?

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A treasured reader asked us through the comments the other day how we were doing post surgery. I appreciate his concern and appreciate even more his gentle nudge to open myself up and express myself more. I’m grateful to be part of a blogging community that is just that…community, a community that cares.

We are doing well. Fearsome survived uncut and unscathed. I got both scoped and cut.

The surgeon cut in order to open the top of the shoulder large enough to remove the rather large cyst that had developed on top of my right AC Joint. He then scoped into the AC joint and removed the end of my clavicle in order to clean out the arthritis that had caused the cyst to develop and then took a look at my bicep tendon as well as my rotator cuff. Both the rotator cuff and bicep tendon were in good shape so I got away with just a cyst removal and the clavicle clean up.

Pain has been tolerable and I am doing well as long as I don’t really do anything. So do nothing right now is the key I have discovered. Stitches come out this Thursday and I’ll be able to finally shower. Physical therapy will begin April 15th.

So during my do nothing time I sleep and I watch films. I also indulge in YouTube clips and just found this one. I’m not a religious man but I do enjoy a well performed gospel tune. Oh honey… is this performance fabulous. It’s truly a work of art that moved me to tears. I hope you enjoy it as well.

Leslie Jordan featuring Chris & Morgane Stapleton – Farther Along – 2021

Manila never disappoints

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I love when my day starts with a brand new Manila Luzon video and today was one of those fabulous days!

Manila Luzon – Inspire Me – 2021

I was kind of running late this morning, but when I saw this had just dropped into my YouTube feed I threw all caution to the wind and just clicked play. Manila didn’t let me down.

Fabulous fabulousness.

Proud Mary Keep on Rollin’

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President Biden has hit the road and he’s a rollin’.
Let’s keep the steam pumpin with not one, not two but three wonderful versions of a Fearsome favorite, Proud Mary.

Broken Peach – Proud Mary – 2017

Tina Turner – Proud Mary – 2009 (49 years after she first charted a tune in 1960 and 38 years after she & Ike made their cover of this tune famous, she is 70 years old in this performance.)

Creedence Clearwater Revival – Proud Mary – 1969

Keep on rollin’ Joe. You are doing a good man’s work and we support you.

Leaders

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We here at Fearsome Beard the blog thingy believe in recognizing and even promoting those who we feel are working not only to improve themselves but the world around them.

Yesterday we had the honor of witnessing a break out moment for a rising star of our future. We were so moved by Amanda Gordon that the moment we could find a clip of her poetry reading on YouTube we posted it. Today we learned more about her from Anderson Cooper. We hope to learn lots more about her in the future as we watch her rise into a leader. A leader worth listening to.

She gives us hope.

 

Inaugural Poet

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Amanda Gordon / Youth Poet Laureate 2017 – The Hill We Climb – Presidential Inaugural Reading January 20, 2021

Spellbindingly beautiful.
“For there is always light if only we are brave enough to see it, if only we are brave enough to be it.”

Happy Days Ahead

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I’ve been saving this famous clip of Judy & Barbra just for today.

Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand – Happy Days Are Here Again / Come On Get Happy – 1963

Congratulations President Biden and Vice President Harris. Thank you for your service to our country. The world breathes a sigh of relief.

Leaders

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Well it’s 2021. We are still here.
There is a light at the end of this here tunnel and on this here blog thingy we hope to inspire in the coming year. It is time we got back to our roots, took stock of what we have and commenced to grow into what we wish to become.

Fearsome is still growing, I desire to follow his lead.

John Lennon has always been a leader who inspires me, so I’m handing it to him to kick us off on this very New Year’s Day 2021.

John Lennon / The Plastic Ono Band – Instant Karma! ( We All Shine On ) – 1970