Monday, December 30, 2002

I need to post something. There i did.

I had a nice Christmas...hope you all did, too.

I really like Christmas time.

That is all
Peace.

Friday, December 20, 2002

Stump Speech of Sorts

I just read an editorial on msnbc.com about what democrats need to do to win the white house in 2004. I know...this is starting already. I agree with this article, mostly.

The thing I think the democrats must do is not, and has not been mentioned yet. Think about this for a minute...if you were talking to the average person on the street (not the activist or the union man), but the avreage joe or jane, and asked them what the difference between the 2 parties is...i don't think they could tell you. Maybe I am being arrogant me here (or aa know it all), but I believe that is true. Outside of the "big" issues...that I don't think are that big, not many people know the difference. The "big" issues are important, but it is the small things that make parties different.

Anyway, bnack to what needs to happen. The democrat party must sepearate itself from the center. There are enough progressives out there that i think this is a valuable and necessary move. You see, as I stated above, we need to disginuish the differences between the 2 parties.

Ok. I am rambling...I know what i want to say, but need to sit down and focus on it. I will be more cohearant later.
Peace

Thursday, December 19, 2002

Monday, December 16, 2002

More Santa News

Here is Santa's blog.

The Mis-Adventure of a LifeÖwell, a Weekend

Friday, 13 December, 2002 ñ 10:30 p.m.
I arrive at The Note in the Wicker Park neighbor hood of Chicago. The purpose for this journey is to partake in an evening of live music performed by 4 bands, all of whom are amazing. The bands were (in order of appearance): Pearly Sweets & The Platonics, The Detholz, 40 Piece Choir, and oh my god. I arrive in time to catch the last half of The Platonics set. I buy a $6 Fosters and begin to enjoy the evening.

Saturday, 14 December, 2002 ñ 2:02 a.m.
oh my god has finished their set, and the night was beautiful. All of a sudden, a DJ appears and begins to spin. I havenít partaken in an evening of dancing for a whileÖso it begins.

Saturday, 14 December, 2002 ñ 4:07 a.m.
With pain shooting through my body, I make the walk back to my car and drive home.

Saturday, 14 December, 2002 ñ 12:30 p.m.
I arise and shower, for the next 24 hours I will be on the road (2 gigs in Flint, MI) with oh my god.

Saturday, 14 December, 2002 ñ 1:30 ñ 2:00 p.m.
I arrive at Iguanaís house and we pack the van. From there we go and pick up Jason. Billy and Brandon will be going up to Flint separately.

Saturday, 14 December, 2002 ñ 5:30 p.m. (Eastern Time)
We stop at the Trans-America Truck Stop about 20 miles inside Michigan. Jason and I meander our way inside to the BK and order food while Iguana fills the van. Jason buys 2 of the Simpsonís talking watches. Out of nowhere Iguana arrives in the restaurant on the phone and eyes blazing.

ìMy backpack is NOT in the van.î (IG)
ìWhat? I though I saw Brandon carry it out last night.î (Jason)
ìI looked and it is not there. I canít do the show without it. It has my Leslie cable and piano moduleî (I)
ìShit.î(J)
ìI think it is still at the club.î(I)
ìCall Fabian, maybe he can get in.î (J)
ìI called Nord and he is trying to get a hold of Fabian.î(I)
ìShould we head back and see if the club is open?î (J)

Saturday, 14 December, 2002 ñ 2:30 p.m.
Head back to Chicago. 88 miles away. 90 minutes.

ìWe canít do this. It will add 166 miles and 3 hours to the trip. No way.î (I)
ìWhat should we do?î(J)
ìFuck. Maybe we Ö they have a piano at the Local right?î (I)
ìI think so.î
(phone rings)
ì(I is on the phone) Damn it. Ok. What do you think we should do?.... Ok. Can you give Alexia a call and seeÖno. Nevermind. If somebody can get in and drive the 4 Ω hours to Flint maybe we can make it. But they would need to leave by 6 Chicago time. Ok. Give me a call.î
ìWhatís up?î (J)
ìThe club doesnít open until 8. We are screwed. I guess we could just head to Flint and try something.î

Saturday, 14 December, 2002 ñ 2:45 p.m.
Head back to Flint.

Saturday, 14 December, 2002 ñ 5:00 p.m.
Outside Kalamazoo, MI. We pull over to a gas station because Iguanaís phone is beginning to die (the poor guy had been on it almost constatnly since the discovery). The purpose of this stop is 2 fold.
1. To try to find a car charger to the phone
2. Nord gave Iguana the number of a guy in Detroit who might be able to help.

Iguana calls the guy in Detroit and is then given the number to a guy who actually lives and work in Flint. A few tense minutes laterÖThe guy thinks he can help.

Saturday, 14 December, 2002 ñ 8:30 p.m.
We arrive in Flint. Stop by a convenient store and pick up sandwiches and drinks.

Saturday, 14 December, 2002 ñ 8:45 p.m.
We arrive and load into The Flint Local 432, and all ages venue (a very cool placeÖwish we had one when I was growing up.)

Saturday, 14 December, 2002 ñ 9:15 p.m.
Matt shows up and has the 2 necessary cords. Sweet Lord, weís gonna have us a show!!!!

Saturday, 14 December, 2002, 10:30 p.m.
oh my god rocks the house for the next hour and a half.

Sunday, 15 December, 2002 ñ 12:00 a.m.
Strike the rigÖmove every thing literally next door to Kellyís Pub.

Sunday, 15 December, 2002 ñ 12:20 a.m.
oh my god does the 2nd show for the night.

Sunday, 15 December, 2002 ñ 1:45 a.m.
Strike the rig and load the van.

Sunday, 15 December, 2002 ñ 2:30 a.m.
Arrive at Wadeís house. Party. Sleep soon takes over the room.

Sunday, 15 December, 2002 ñ 8:30 a.m.
Iguanaís alarm clock goes off. He looks at meÖI look at him. Pushes a button.

Sunday, 15 December, 2002 ñ 11:00 a.m.
On the road again. This time Billy is with us.

Sunday, 15 December, 2002 ñ 2:30 (Central Time)
Back at Iguanaís place. Unload the van and head home.

The tale of the show that almost wasnít

Peace

Friday, December 13, 2002

Piece of Shit?...oooo Shocking

Cliff has a question on his blog about Art and the Avant Garde, in which he questions ìDo we really need more art whose sole purpose is to "shock"? Whose truth is that "life is ugly," or that "religion is oppression"? It's all so hip, trendy and cool. Which means it's all so bourgeois.î

I struggle with the question of what is the purpose of art on a daily basis.

ìDo we really need more art whose sole purpose is to ëshockí?îówell, yes and noÖhow is that for being vague. I believe the purpose of art is to cause controversy and ìshockîÖto make the outside observe stand back and take a look at a different point of view. Art should be a refection of what the particular Artist sees, and thus, creating a mirror of their world. What they see is not necessarily what the average person would see. The debate comes about over what is perceived and what is meant. That is the fun of Art. It is the Artist whose truth is saying ìlife is uglyî, or that ìreligion is oppression.î

The problem with art is that what was once considered ground breaking because of its shock value has since become so commonplace and ìacceptedîÖcommercialized. Why did the Artist spread feces on the Madonna? I am not sure, and I would have thought that since there was all the controversy over that particular piece that he would have come forward to give his insight, but no. Now, I do not think an Artist has to explain a thing, but on the other hand it rubs me the wrong way.

(You see, I deal with this issue when I talk to my mom about the shows I am producing or performing in. She asks if there is swearing, and of course yes there isÖand usually violence, drug use, smoking (everything she does not approve of). She asks if I have forgotten how I was raised, and no I have not. But, it is my job to reflect the world as it is and these things are a part of it, if I offend someoneÖgoodÖwhy are they offended? What is it that gives them an uneasy feeling? Maybe it is because they are force to see something for the fist time and now have to deal with the reality that maybe, just maybe, things are not as they seem, and their little bubble has burst. My hope is that when this happens they may actually act upon what disturbs them and do a positive thing.)

Back to the point. I think the ìshock valueî of art has since lost most of its meaning because of the discussion about these shocking pieces has changed from trying to digest meaning to complaing about the media of the piece. So, since and Artist can get press by putting a Cross in jar of piss and thus it is talked about and everyone wants to see it it becomes hip and cool to do that. And in agreement with Cliff bourgeois.

Ah, the tumultuous part of living in this post-modern ageÖthat is a whole ënother discussion for another time.

Good Lord that is a long and rambling blogÖand it makes complete sense to me.

Peace

Wednesday, December 11, 2002

Tuesday, December 10, 2002

Map to Santa's New Digs

A couple of posting ago I showed how Santa left the North Pole to move to Colorado, well here is a link to a map of where he now lives. Very close to Aspen.

Hmmmm

Peace

Monday, December 09, 2002

2 of my favorite things

Baz Luhrman and La Boheme. Yippee!!!!

Friday, December 06, 2002

Santa Moved

According to FedEx, Santa is in Colorado?

2:55 on Friday

Goodness Gracious...I had some left over Pad Thai for lunch...not so sure that was a good idea.

Thursday, December 05, 2002

Request

I just found out from my brother that a girl I used to babysit, in fact the first person, ended her life yesterday. This is not the way I would like to start off my day. Bad news. Please keep Sarah's family in prayer and thoughts.

When something like this happens...God, I haven't seen her in years...but I am just numb and nauseaus. Man, I don't know what else to say...It hurts. I don't know the circumstances but that does not matter, I just pray that her spirit is well and that her family will be ok.

Oh God of healing and Peace.
Comfort those who are need at this time.
Be with those who are suffering
Let us not forget You in our grief
Be the Center of our lives
And Bless us
Oh merciful God

Peace

Wednesday, December 04, 2002

Hoppy Skippy, Hoppy Skippy tru d woodsk

Cliff and Anna are having a baby...Cliff and Anna are having a baby. Huzzah!!!!

Monday, December 02, 2002

Walk On!

Yesterday was World AIDS Day. I can not believe I forgot about it. Prayers and love to those suffering.

Peace

First Things First

The Good Guys are getting some main stream attention (from the front page of msnbc.com .

My Turkey Day

Thanksgiving was a good time. nothing like 5 guys trying to cook turkeyday meal...looked like the 3 stooges at times. but it turned out well, and fun.

the cast of characters was:

Mike -- the oldest son
John (mike's real life brother) -- the musician...wooden spoons..enough said
Jason -- the perpetual napper...
Chris -- the perpetual pooper ... although his biscuts turned out well...hmmmm?
Me -- the lost boy... not really but we havent had one of those yet
Terry (Mikes mom) -- the retired VA nurse...and turkey guru (and home made irish cream...mmm)
Jimmy ( Mikes dad) -- 11 months until he retires (Viet Nam Vet/Postal Worker) and that is not a joke...perpetual story teller...a good ole boy from the south side of chicago in the 50/60's ...have a feeling he mad LeRoy Brown look like a saint in the day,

Now if that does not seem like the cast from a shakpearean comedy...it isnt. More like the love child of the Marx Brothers and the 3 Stooges.

HMMM... I see $$$ in this

Peace