It’s another XRT 4-D Flashback Weekend beginning this Friday as we explore the 70′s in all their lurid glory. Nothing but vinyl, cassettes, reel to reel and the occasional 8-track back then. Here’s how it changed back in the 80′s:The Dawn Of Digital Music

(Photo credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP/GettyImages)

It was the first time a President of the United States has made such a declaration, but it came only after a long and twisty path marked with detours, reversals, and numerous obstacles. Although it seems clear that some day it will be the law of the land, there is still a long way to go. Whatever your particular views on gay marriage might be, you must admit that those couples on the way to the altar look very happy indeed.Read More From Frank E. Lee

(Photo by: Zack Nechvatal)

Marilyn Monroe is an American icon to this day and was a total natural on the silver screen. (She was especially good in Misfits.) She looked best in flesh and blood and worst in whatever composite material her hideous statue in Pioneer Court was made of. Although many had hoped that a bolt of lightning would animate it and force a military confrontation high atop NBC Tower, it was disassembled earlier this week by work crews who can now tell an interesting story to their grandchildren. (The old coot’s going on about that enormous actress again, run!) And remember, Marilyn was the second giant piece of crap in the Court after the gargantuan American Gothic couple that preceded her. (Yea, that’s just the painting, let’s walk down the street to see the really cool “sculpture”!)  Isn’t the normal size Jack Brickhouse enough? Are there no zoning laws? Will there be more titans of kitsch to come? Here’s some suggestions:5 Replacements For The Giant Marilyn

It was a beautiful rainy day, perfect for a private tour at the Art Institute (our beloved sponsor!) The occasion was the forthcoming exhibition of one of the world’s most famous and influential artists, Roy Lichtenstein. (His work also sells for many multiples of millions, if I might be permitted the observation of a peasant.)Lichtenstein Exhibit At Chicago Art Institute

The culture of Mexico is ancient and rich and varied. I got a little taste of it living in the twin border cities of El Paso and Juarez back in the late seventies. Moles are probably the crowning glory of Mexican cuisine, but they have a million ingredients and take all day to make. I’ve made a simple one and ruined a couple of complex versions. (Throwing away a big pot of food after working at for many hours is very hard to do.) This recipe for a green salsa is almost as good and a lot simpler, although you do have to pay attention because you’re playing with fire. It’s inspired by Rick Bayless, Julios restaurant in El Paso/Juarez and my own hungry mind. You’ll need:Salsa Verde Recipe

Superhero teams like the Justice League, the Legion, X-Men and the Avengers (now a major motion picture) have been popular for years, but the group concept detracts from the individual characters. The more prominent members are diminished and secondary characters are brought to the forefront. This can be effective, but often requires the strengths and personalities of the individuals to become attenuated to ensure cooperation and fairness and to make the story work. That being said, it can be nice to have numbers on your side.

Here’s some call to action music to get started:10 Teamwork Tunes

(Photo by: Zack Nechvatal)

It’s the first day of the month that means come get me or we’re coming for you or we’re smack dab in the middle of spring here in the Northern Hemisphere. Here’s some merry tunes for the Maypole dance:7 May Classics

With the first ever XRT  4-D Flashback Weekend: The 1980s coming up this Friday, let’s prep with some appropriate reading material. Start with these classics of future history:9 80′s Sci-Fi Classics

Had a great time in the chronosphere taking everyone back to 1970. No one was hurt (although a couple of my raps caused me inner pain), got to play lots of Beatles (together and separate) and even Gram Parsons’ version of the ‘good guys’ “Wild Horses.” Wendy is back this week with 1989, part of the XRT 4-D Flashback Weekend: The 1980s. Here’s the list for 1970:View This Weekend’s Playlist

Every day is Earth Day (although Aquaman and Prince Namor might disagree), but it’s formally celebrated this weekend. Fall in love with your Mother all over again by cranking these terra firma tunes:10 Earth Day Songs

Record Store Day is one of the best new holidays (total receipts now surpass Arbor Day!) and we celebrate it again this weekend. It recalls a time when you had to go to an actual commercial building to buy recorded music usually with paper money and that was your only choice. As a music hungry lad, here’s where I would go to stock up:4 Great Record Stores

While you’re doing the miserable math of the dismal science in the harsh glow of a computer monitor, here’s some numbers for the 99 percent:5 Taxing Tunes

Everybody complains about paying taxes especially when they fund lavish parties that we weren’t invited to or bridges to nowhere that our company was outbid on. But a free society is not cheap. Here’s some quality civic investments:6 Good Tax Investments