This year for the 2023 A-Z Blog Challenge, I’m going to begin by listing a song or musical subject, and then see how fast and how far I can completely blow up my own “stream of consciousness,” and head “off the reservation,” by linking every real, and “Zulu Delta-imagined” fact, piece of music trivia, or not so apparent connection to what is racing around my head to that song in an “unstructured, graffiti-like” format. Complete and utter nonsense! Turn it up and turn it on, but as Van “The Man” Morrison said…….”It’s already turned on!”

The Icelandic Band “Of Monsters and Men” released the song “Little Talks” in 2011.

That makes the song at least 11 years old. It sometimes seems like a “new” song to me (maybe, considering how far back some of the songs in this blog series go).

Iceland is a cool place; no pun intended. There are cool cities, and cool nature places, and cool music.

It’s was also considered the epicenter of the 2008 Global Financial Crisis when 3 of the major privately-owned commercial banks failed. There is a great documentary about the housing crisis called “Inside Job” narrated by Matt Damon. Brilliant, “sadly funny” and so true!

The artist “Bjork” is one of the most well-known musicians from Iceland. “Of Monsters and Men” are every-bit as popular.

Bjork had one of her “biggest hits,” with a song called “It’s Oh So Quiet.” The song was included for the movie soundtrack “Nick and Jane.” It is the only VHS Tape I have saved and keep telling myself I’m going to have it transferred to CD….and even that’s outdated. 

The movie has David Johansen in it. Johansen was a founder of the “legendary” rock band, The New York Dolls. Besides being an actor, his “alter-ego” was the swinging performer and recording artist, “Buster Pointdexter.”

Iceland produces a large part of their energy needs from Geothermal. Iceland has a place called The Blue Lagoon. It is a large Geothermal Bath and Spa Location. Some travel “experts” may “slag” The Blue Lagoon for being “too touristy.” 

Don’t Listen! If you have the chance to go….GO!!! No, it’s not a random pool out in the middle of some volcanic ash field, but it was still fun, and “cool,” and warm, and worth the trip.

At the time, Icelandic Air has some great fares from the U.S. to Europe. They also had a promotion that would allow you to connect your flight in Iceland and stay overnight at no additional cost. 

This would allow you to visit Iceland to check out Reykjavik, relax in the Blue Lagoon, and check out the Chinese Food restaurants; which I did all three.

My ski buddy John at the Blue Lagoon.

In 2013, Ben Stiller starred in the movie “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.” The movie has a chaotic start, with chaotic characters, and a chaotic plot, (sound familiar?), but for me and many others I know, the movie turned out brilliant, with awesome, and unique characters.

I got to see this film on the “big screen” twice, and it was even greater the second time. 

From my trip to Iceland.

The scenery; especially from Iceland is incredible, and worth “the ticket.”

“Of Monsters and Men” provided a song to the soundtrack; “Dirty Paws.”

20th Century Fox hired filmmaker Casey Neistat to make a promotional video for the movie based on the theme of “live your dreams”, but Neistat suggested instead to spend the budget on bringing disaster relief to the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan. Fox agreed and gave him a budget of $25,000.

For Casey…..he deserves his own blog in the future!