Solidarity

Hello. Do not be alarmed, but I am not The Jefe. My name is Manuel Elisando. I am filling in for The Jefe while he is on strike. Many of you are wondering why it has been so long since he has posted on this blog. Apparently no one told The Jefe that the writers strike was only for TV and movie writers. The Jefe heard about the strike and did not want to cross the picket line and risk offending the union. He fails to realize he is not in the union nor is he even getting paid for writing this blog. I have been told, however, he still looks in his mailbox for the check after every blog entry.

It seems The Program was getting bored being idle and waiting for either the strike to end or The Jefe to realize he is an idiot so it took matters into its own hands. It found me at a Home Depot with some fellow compatriots looking for work. Since I speak English, am not unionized, and even the mere thought of collective bargaining is punishable by death where I come from, The Program decided I would be a great scab.

I do not know what else to say. I don't think I can muster the stomach to write the same type of sad "humor" that fills the previous blog entries. I also can't write about lame insights I had into the Daily Show or Colbert Report because they are all reruns due to the strike. I also have never met The Burger nor Gus. I guess all we can do is hope for the strike to come to an end. Soon. Please.

Sdtk: "Heck no, we won't go! Heck no, we won't go!...."

Nexus.

It happened last night. Possibly the greatest night of television ever. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The stars were aligning or something. So many things coming together. I think it's got to be some sort of sign. No, not of the Apocalypse. What's the opposite of "Apocalypse"? Well, whatever it is that's what happened last night. Get this:
1) The Season Premiere of The Simpsons guest starring Stephen Colbert. Brilliant. Two great tastes that taste great together.
2) The Season Premiere of Family Guy doing an animated version of Star Wars. I almost peed myself. 80% of it was animated shots directly from the movie with the same music cues and everything. It must have taken them forever. Self-effacing references everywhere. It was quite possibly the funniest thing I have ever seen.
3) Michaels, Madden, and the Cowboys winning on Sunday Night Football.

I almost have a hangover that night was so good.

Sdtk: My sigh of contentment.

Musings on Fascism

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in this blog entry are of a political nature and if the three of you don't like it, tough shit.

I was watching the Colbert Report the other night and his guest was a woman who wrote a book about the oncoming fascist regime in the US. In her book she lays out 10 steps every country that had a Fascist dictator went through leading up to the Fascist takeover. She explained some of them on air and said that the US was quickly progressing through the 10. They had to do with the culture of fear being bred by politicians, how they use this fear to extend executive power, and how by the time the populace realizes it a dictator has emerged and the people look the other way.

Now, I'm usually on the side of the Left-leaning guests on the show, but it seems to me she was going a little overboard. I understand her point and a lot of what she said makes sense, but fascism? I don't think any of the countries that have had Fascist states were built on as strong a foundation of democracy as ours is. Sure, we might be in a less democratic time in our history than others, but we have a long established tradition of it that helps to get through the rougher times. Fascism is like a modern monarchy. Take out the whole hereditary aspect, throw in some modern political lingo and what is essentially a king calls himself a "Dictator". The European and South American countries that had Fascist dictators had at one point been under the rule of kings. You could make individual cases for each, but I'm guessing they weren't democracies for 200+ years before falling into fascism.

Fear in this country IS very high and promoted to a needlessly high level by politicians who want to a)have more power and b)keep their power. They have extended their power into illegally keeping tabs on what people are doing. They have promoted the use of private militias like Blackwater (can you say "SS"?). They have done a lot of alarming things that do point down the road to fascism, but doesn't anyone remember our good friend Communism? Has it been so long we've forgotten the Cold War? You want to talk about your paranoia and government spying on its own people. Does the name Joe McCarthy ring any bells? Don't get me wrong, terrorism is a real dangerous threat to be taken very seriously, but don't think for a second they are more dangerous than the USSR was at the peak of the Cold War. Yes, Al Qaeda managed to do what the Russians never did, attack us on our own soil. That doesn't mean they couldn't have. The only thing that kept that from happening was that we knew where they lived and the cost of such an action would have meant an all out war most likely resulting in the destruction of Earth. I think any physical threat posed by terrorism pales in comparison to the literally planet ending threat of the Cold War.

During the many years of the Cold War, this country was gripped by fear. At some times worse than others. We had a serious domestic spying program. We had people in power who thought a world destroying conflict was right around the corner and had convinced large portions of the populace of it. Our whole foreign policy was geared towards fighting it. The good news is we got through it without devolving into fascism. We took some hits to our democracy and still stood. In many of the countries where fascism took root it was a direct result of anti-communist sentiment. We were almost pathologically anti-communist and still didn't go off the deep end. We had some fascist-like policies and practices, we still do, but still in the general framework of a democracy.

Please don't take this as praise for how we reacted to Communism or how we are reacting now to terrorism. I think we were and are far too heavy handed and are going against the spirit of reason and rule of law that this country was founded on. My point is that even if you, like me, think the Bush administration's handling of this current situation borders on criminal, it doesn't mean we're headed towards a fascist state. If we can get through the paranoia of the Cold War, I'm sure we can weather this with our democracy intact. That is, provided we pay attention...

...uh oh.

Sdtk.: Sting - "Russians" or anything by Rage Against the Machine

Bring. It. On.

The 2007/2008 NFL season starts tonight and I couldn't be more exited. I've got the DVR all warmed up for those Sunday afternoon games when I have to work at N&O's. I'm looking online for a crock pot-like item to make chili when the weather starts turning colder. On top of that my man, Mike Golic, has the Cowboys as his pick to go to the Superbowl this year. Will this be the year my allegiances are truly tested with a Cowboys/Patriots Superbowl? I have to admit, last year I was behind my man Satan Manning to get the ring (after all, he DID anchor my fantasy team all year long), but this year....Let's not get too far ahead. Bring on week one!

I'll also be giving updates on my weekly progress in my team football pool. I decided against fantasy football this year. I really don't like the way it emphasizes individuals over teams (how very socialist of me). I would be divided when the Cowboys would score: half was happy they scored, half would be upset because they scored with someone not on my fantasy team. That's just wrong in my book.

Sdtk: Pandora Radio: My own "Bonobo Radio"

Under The Boardwalk

Greetings, programs! I made it. I put in my time, I learned the songs, I played the gigs, and now I can relax...for a while. So, the past two weeks have been busier than most. The Grift and the Laura Thomas Band had a great round of shows last weekend. First was the penultimate gig at The Wife in Manchester, then a trip down to Boston to play at a club called the Lizard Lounge. It was a cool little club where our Midd fans showed up in droves. I got to see some people I haven't seen in a while including my good friend Feebee. That evening ended with the usual "scour the entire city of Boston for a parking spot for Vanna White and wind up at a hotel at 4AM". That was, however, easy compared to the next day's trip to NYC. It took us a mere 6 1/2 hours to get from Boston to NY. The worst part was there was no construction or bad accidents, just a serious number of cars on the road. We finally got to NY and by the grace of Jebus we found a parking spot right next to the club! We got there in plenty of time to hit up my favorite burrito spot, Chipotle. MMMMmmm...burritos. Oh yeah, the gig was good too. It was a good crowd for August in NYC and both bands rocked it. It was really fun to play some bass again. After 12 years of ownership, my bass also finally acquired a name: White Chocolate! (you have to say it with the exclamation mark). Notso and I got a good long laugh when I came up with that.

On the following Wednesday we played our final Perfect Wife show. It was a great show, monetarily the best Wed. night the bar has had there. Why would we stop playing there then? Well, the owner wants to focus more on the dinner side of things and as successful as Wed. nights have become, she wants to keep the late night music scene to only the weekends there. So, we decided it was best if we kept the late-night thing going, just somewhere else. We're moving down the road to the Manchester Bar and Grill. It's not as nice a space as The Wife and I'll miss their ever evolving dessert menu, but it's good to shake things up every once in a while. I'll keep you all up on how it's going there.

This weekend I had a show in the East Coast gambling mecca of Atlantic City. The show was at Harrah's Casino with a band called Keith Lewis and the Shift. I got the gig through my good friend Russ Lawton who plays drums in the group. They play a few days in a row at the casino every couple of months. On this occasion, their bass player couldn't make the Saturday show and as The Grift had the weekend off, I went down and filled in. It was one of the more big pimpin' gigs I've played. The stage had all it's own backline equipment, we had our own hotel rooms (the photo is the view from my window), and there was a cafeteria that is free to employees and open 24 hours. I tell you, there are few things better than getting done with a show, carrying only your bass off stage, dropping it off in your own room, and hitting up the caf at 2AM for post-gig donuts and ice cream. I was so excited with everything else, I forgot to gamble. The slot machines were so ever-present they seemed more part of the decor than something to be "played". There was also a huge pool area. That's the "Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome" looking structure in the photo. In the dome there is a pool and hot tub, but also you can rent these cabanas all around and there are a couple big bars as well. Late night they have patries there complete with rave lights and DJ's. Actually, the day after we left ?ustlove of The Roots was spinning there. The gig itself went really well. The guys in the band were super cool and great players. It's a special thing when you can play with people you've never met before, get along instantly, and really put on a good show.

I did get out to walk on the Boardwalk one day. It was nice. It reminded me of when my family used to come to Jersey in the summers to go to the beach. I had a hankering for some salt water taffy. People always say what a cesspool AC is, but it was ok. I'm sure there lots of parts that are not, but getting too and from the boardwalk area was fine. They could probably help themselves out by changing the name of the street the boardwalk is on though (see photo #2). I never saw AC in it's heyday (if it ever had one), but it still seemed a vibrant place to me. Then again, I live in VT.

So now we're just gearing up for a full Fall. A couple more weddings and prep schools shows will be starting up again. Til next time...


Sdtk: Springsteen's "Born to Run" album. (I listened to it twice in a row while driving through NJ)

Burn Out.

Whew! It's been a while since I posted last and I haven't even noticed the time go by. I have been slammed with all the things going on. We've played A LOT of shows recently of all kinds: weddings, bars, clubs, outdoor, big stage, small stage...which have been fun, but a little taxing on the body (you know, with all the late night hooker and blow parties we have). I've also been learning about 50 songs for a couple gigs I have coming up as a hired gun. It's fun to pick up the bass again, but still just piling on top of the general feeling I have of bread left in the toaster too long. I'm not complaining so much as venting. Releasing a little steam before I get back to work and learn some more tunes for the week's shows. They should be good one's though. We're playing with The Laura Thomas Band in VT, Boston, and NYC. Good times. Hopefully I'll get some pictures for my next post. Until then...

Sdtk: Common - "The People"

No Band Is An Island...

...unless that band's 6" stage is surrounded by 4" of water. You always hear about flash flood warnings, but who really pays attention? I will from now on. We were at a wedding in the Northeast Kingdom of VT this weekend when thunderstorms of biblical proportion took over. One minute I was dealing with a dripping tent, the next I was pulling anything off stage onto the stage to avoid it being completely submerged in water. There's really nothing you like to see more than your power strip completely underwater. Luckily we got everything out of the water safely, I think. We'll see the next time we plug it in.
So Pete and I are standing there on stage thinking hanging out in a pool of water during a thunderstorm is probably a bad idea. However, as you can see from the picture, the bar was also surrounded by the water, as was the dance floor and the food, so most everyone else was not taking the same precautions. That was until lightning struck somewhere close by and everyone in the water got shocked. Nothing severe, but enough to close down any hope of an impromptu pool party.
The rain eventually stopped and the water receded enough for us to pack away all of our nonessential gear. We ended up moving onto the porch, rocking out, and saving the day.

Sdtk: Michael Connelly - "Chasing the Dime" (as read by Alfred Molina)

Nerd Alert!

So my brother got me a Playstation game for my birthday. Thanks Jon for a very good and thoughtful gift. The catch is that it's not the latest 1st person shooter or "Run Over Pimps and Ho's in Tanks 3". It's not even as mild mannered as golf. Yes, it's a crossword puzzle game. While the rest of the world is using their Playstations to destroy Gozer and Zuul with Nuclear Accelerator Packs (anyone?), I am doing crossword puzzles. Now maybe you all can help me figure out which is more nerdy: the fact that my brother thought it would be an appropriate gift for me OR the jolt of excitement I felt when I unwrapped it.

Sdtk: "Cleanin' Up The Town" - The Bus Boys

July 21st, A Day That Will Live In Infamy

Hello again. It's been an event filled time here at The Program. On the 21st I turned the big 32! Now for some of you, that might not seem like that significant of a number, and in all honesty it's not. However, for those of us still indulging in our adolescent fantasy of rock stardom, 32 is pushing it. Really pushing it. Also on the 21st was our fifth Do the Deck in West Addison. It was a great day to be outside surrounded by friends and family, playing music, swimming, and eating cake (it was my birthday after all - not that I need an excuse to eat cake). The weather this year had to be the best yet. Sunny but not too hot and not raining for 8 hours straight.
I also received the new Harry Potter book on my birthday (thanks Jess!). I decided not to open it that day because I had so much to do. If I had started to read it right away, I would have spent all day inside missing my own party. As I know now having finished the 750 page book on Tuesday, it would have been worth it. I won't give anything away, I'm no spoiler, but I will say I liked it. Like the last 2 books it was slow at times, but finished strong.
Now on to an action packed August! Someone pass me my Geritol...

Sdtk: The ever-present construction noises of summer in VT. Are they repaving the whole freaking state?!?

The Force is strong in this one

In a move considered both wise and dangerous, The Jedi Council has decided to move up young Gus Leashwalker from the rank of Padawan to full fledged Jedi Knight. The Council bestowed this honor after Gus successfully completed the Jedi trials with exceptionally high marks. When asked for comment on how the trials were, Gus in one word replied, "Rough!"
"Some of his abilities", says Jedi Master Kyp Durron, "are off the charts. His use of Force Suggestion is unparalleled. Even on the strongest of minds he is able to exert his will. I mean, I've seen him get people to follow him around and pick up his own excrement for him, without even uttering a single word! I'm just glad he's on our side."
Here at The Program, we would like to offer our heartfelt congratulations to Gus. May the Force be with him.

Sdtk.: "The Throne Room Theme" - Star Wars Sdtk.

Back on the Map

Finally, after months of living in the 18th century, I finally have internet and cable hooked up in my apartment. Ahhhhhhhh... So hopefully this'll mean more posts, which should be easy considering I'll probably never leave my apartment now. The best part was I got to watch the Daily Show and Colbert. Thankfully they're still funny. I also got to catch up on all the things people have been sending me that I couldn't watch before. Like this podcast entry by my good friend Jer that features an appearance by yours truly:


Sdtk: "Roll With The Changes" - REO Speedwagon

DJ MFC in the Wild

Weddings, weddings, weddings! Tis the season. Last weekend was a big one. Clint and Rhonda tied the old knot here in VT. It was a great time. From the photographer (Ben), to the DJ (me) to the minister (Reddick Watson), everyone involved was a close friend of the couple. It was great to see almost all of my favorite people in one place. The ceremony was well done, the dinner was tasty, and the reception was an all night dance fest (thanks in part to yours truly on the 1's and 2's and in part to the never-ending dance machine that is Rhonda literally booing anyone who left early). It went exactly as hoped all the way around. The evening topped off with some well deserved fries and shakes in the parking lot at the 24 hour McD's. Who could ask for anything more.


With people still kicking around VT for the week, some of us decided to go camping. It might shock some of you that I know what camping is at all. I even know how to canoe (see picture). That's me not paddling when I should be. Someone's got to document the fact that I was there. No one would believe me otherwise. What you can't see in the photo is Gus lying down in the canoe. He was a champ. He had never been in a canoe and he couldn't have been better.

So vacation continues for another week here at The Program. Maybe this'll mean more posts, most likely it'll mean more Battlestar Galactica DVD rentals from the library. So say we all.

Sdtk: The sounds of the Pac-Man machine at Neil and Otto's. (I gotta get the internet hooked up in my apt.) Wakawakawakawakawakawaka....

I Miss Cable.

So, I don't have cable yet in my new apartment. I've really been jonesing for some Daily Show action. In the interim, I've been reading news magazines. That's correct, I've stooped so low as to read. I mean, it's not even like Harry Potter magazines where the pictures move a little.

The good news is that I ran into this article by my favorite regular Daily Show guest and all around smart guy, Fareed Zakaria. I HIGHLY recommend reading it. Do it.

North Of The Border

So, what have I been doing lately, you ask? Well, last weekend I went to Montreal for Clint's bachelor party. I'm not going to go into much detail about that. All 4 of you who read my blog can contact me individually for details, but I don't want to send up too many Homeland Security flags by elucidating what went on there in this blog.

This weekend was Reunion at Middlebury. Despite it's weak turnout, it was pretty fun. I saw some people I haven't seen in a while and we played a good show for all the alums. Let's just say Bon Jovi sounds good with the natural reverb of Johnson Hall. I also got to hang out with Gus (see below). That's always fun. That also meant I got to hang out with the ex. Unfortunately that was really fun as well. I sort of envy those people who have break-ups where they don't like their ex anymore. I certainly wouldn't change how well we get along, but it makes for a lot of sigh-able moments. Especially now that singledom has pretty much lost its novelty.

I'll leave you this week with a piece of Jimmy Dugan's sage advice: Always bring a watch with you to the strip club. Trust me, it's good advice.


Sdtk: Linkin Park - "Minutes To Midnight"

Return of the Feb Five!

So this weekend found me in New Hampshire at the wedding of my good friend Ben from the Middlebury days. It was a great weekend. It started out with a bachelor party on Thursday that consisted of Thai food and my first ever Red Sox game at Fenway. Not a bad way to start a weekend. Other than just being in Fenway, the game was a good one. There were a couple home runs, 3 diving catches, a late tie that was overcome by great relief pitching, stolen bases, etc. Schilling started the game, which was cool because how often do you get to see a future Hall of Famer pitch? We were sitting in center field and had a great view of the line that the pitches were taking. It got crazy when Okajima came up to pitch. His signature pitch, whatever it's called, was fun to watch in person. Even from behind him, I couldn't see where it was going to end up.

Friday we did the rehearsal and dinner thing and then met up with some of the early arrivals in Manchester, NH. The best part of the night was when we got back to the hotel and the night wound down into sitting around our room with 8 or so of my old friends just talking into the night. It was a lot like how our nights would end in college. I missed it.

The big day started with a big breakfast, some more hanging out and greeting of old friends and then bowling. Bowling? Yes, bowling. We hit the lanes and threw rocks! I got some inspirado from the great 80's station playing at the bowling alley. So, I'm at a bowling alley singing Cindy Lauper, drinking Dr. Pepper, throwing strikes (as far as you know), and playing Galaga in between frames. Throw in some parachute pants and it could have been 1985.

We headed back to the inn and after some trial and error figured out how to put on our tuxes. The ceremony was nice. Short and to the point. This was good considering I needed a Kleenex badly by the end. I'm man enough to TELL myself that I don't need a tissue for the ceremony, but not man enough not to actually need one. What can I say, I'm a romantic and Ben's a good vow writer (actually, he's a good all around writer, I'm secretly waiting until he gives up the world of computers and starts his career as a novelist). The reception was also a lot of fun. How could it not be. Some of my best friends and favorite people in the world were there. Some of whom I hadn't seen in a while. The wedding also marked the first time since graduation that the five of us febs were together. It was a special day all around. Every once in a while I would step back and smile, realizing that I know some really great people. People I don't get to see nearly as much as I should, so I stopped my deep thinking and just jumped back up on the dance floor and made like it was 1996 at 2AM in McCullough. The only thing missing was falling asleep afterwards on a couch watching Aladdin.

Next weekend The Program's wedding festivities continue with Clint's bachelor party in Montreal. Uh-oh....

Soundtrack: Bill Evans - Moonbeams

Program See, Program Do.

So they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If that's true, than the almighty Burger should be extremely flattered. I can't help but copy him. He has a blog, I get a blog. He has a cool nickname, I have to get a cool nickname. He moves out of his apartment and couch surfs for a while, I do the same (albeit not 3000 miles from my former place of residence). He gets his dream car that's perfect for his environment, I have to buy the equivalent for VT. Well, to be honest, I had to sell myself into indentured servitude to The Man for the money to buy the car (It's true, I'm not a pimp as my earlier post might have led you to believe. I'm more on the "working girl" end of things). I'm sure the benevolent Burger would have lent me the money if he had known about my plight.

You may have guessed at this point that The Burger solved my Friday the 13th riddle. He is wise and knowledgable and also lived with me for 3 years divining all my secrets. I guess that makes him clever as well. Now if he could use his omnipotence to get me a freaking apartment in Middlebury so I can get off these god forsaken couches, I would be even MORE eternally grateful.

Truth is, shit is crazy right now. So much has happened between my last post and now that I can't even keep it straight enough to write about. Some good, some bad. I just try and keep it all in perspective. That, and I chase the dragon. I kid, I kid. I just had to throw in one more Steely Dan reference.

Sdtk: Corinne Bailey Rae, "I'd Like To" - from "Live in NY"

Pimpin' Ain't Easy.

It's not. In fact, it's very hard. Don't let all the glitz and glam fool you. Just 'cause I have goldfish in the heels of my platform shoes doesn't mean I don't work hard.

Sdtrk: The Theme from I'm Gonna Git You Sucka

What you talkin' 'bout Jason?

Even though I just posted I have to post again. I just realized it was Friday the 13th. Everyone should take this opportunity to speak out on which of the Friday the 13th movies is your favorite. For me, hands down, it has to be number five or should I say V. Why, you ask? Simple. It has Dudley from Diff'rent Strokes in it. Sure, nay sayers might point out it also has a young Corey Feldman, but let us remember these were the good old days of the kind of Corey Feldman we saw in The Goonies. Plus, it has Dudley. Enough said.

Soundtrack to this post: Steely Dan - "Everyone's Gone To The Movies"
(If anyone can tell me why I chose this particular song, I will use my next post telling the world how great you are.)

Get With The Program

I've been thinking lately that I'm a little jealous of my friend over at The Burger. Not because he lives where it is currently not snowing and not because he has a new fly ride. It's because he's got such a good nickname for his blog. I've decided I need one as well. I thought about the possible permutations: I could go with "G.P." or maybe "The Greeter". I think, however, I've settled on "The Program". Sure, it's a little ominous and not nearly as intrinsically funny as "The Burger", but I like it. It also fits the general theme of nerdiness that I've cultivated so far in this blog. So there we have it.

So I have to share a proud moment for me that happened last night. I went out to Two Bros. Tavern to watch Honeywell play. Honeywell is a Grift side project made up of Clint, Pete, and Russ, with an occasional sit-in by yours truly from The Program (what a great nickname!) and if we're lucky, Rhonda Jean. Well, I was sitting at the bar chatting up this very lovely young lady (you know how I do) and we were fortunate enough to have Rhonda up on the mic singing a banging rendition of "You Outta Know" by Alanis Morissette. So they just finish the song and the girl turns to me and says, "I don't know what it is about that song that just makes me horny!" At which point, I promptly stand up on my chair and yell "PLAY IT AGAIN!" Ha! Of course no one near me got the joke, but I was nonetheless proud of myself.

Some great shows since I posted last. Some more burners at The Wife with Russ again on drums. Look to see some mp3s of tunes from those shows going up on The Grift site. Also a fun show at The Monkey House in Burlington (ok - Winooski) with our friend Ethan West filling in for a temporarily sidelined Clint. We called Ethan a couple hours before the show and he pulled up his boot straps, slung up his guitar, and straight killed it.

This weekend it's "on the road again" for The Program with shows in RI and MA. Til next time...


Soundtrack to this post: Horatio - "Lyme" ("But the night was over, but the night was over. Too much debating and hesitating. But the night was over, but the night was over. Too much revision and indesicion.") Classic.

Rock Steady.

So, it's been relatively slow around here in VT lately. Time to settle back into the swing of things before the busy spring and summer. We've only had a couple shows since Jamaica, both at The Perfect Wife, where we play every Wed. night. This week, with Mr. Peter Day in Florida, I got to step up to the bass again and our friend Russ Lawton stepped up and (as usual) killed it on the drums. It was a really fun show. Not only because I got to play bass again, but it was just grooving. The Wife is also like our second home at this point and we feel real comfortable there. That lends itself to a sense of freedom that we use to stretch out and take some chances on tunes that we normally wouldn't. Also, as a bass player playing with Russ, I can lay back a lot more and just sit in the pocket. Don't get me wrong, I can be as busy a bass player as any and enjoy it, but there's something special about finding the groove and just riding it.

I've also been watching a lot of movies. I went and saw 300 last week. It was really good. It was a lot like Braveheart, minus Catherine McCormack (sigh). It did, however, have much better action and a better overall look. It was like watching a moving comic book. Say what you want about green screen movies, but they always look good. I mean even Star Wars: Episode 1 looked good.

Despite being a non-CGI movie, Children of Men also looked good. Sure it was more or less depressing as hell, but it was a very well done movie. It showed a very bleek, yet very possible future. Kind of like Blade Runner, minus the temporal pastiche and Harrison Ford (sigh). The DVD extras, while worth watching, didn't lighten the mood very much. There were several philosophers and cultural experts talking about the possibility of such a future occuring. It was all very interesting, but afterwards I needed to either start drinking or play with a kitten or something. Instead I watched the Daily Show...but we'll save that for another time.

Soundtrack to this post: DJ Day - The Day Before (no relation to Peter)

Reality check one...

So here it is: blog entry numero uno (I'm not counting the "check one" post). I have to start by thanking The Burger for both inspiring me to finally get my own blog, but also urging me to actually post on it.

So, a little about me for those of you reading this whom I haven't talked to in a while. Well, I'm still living in Middlebury, VT, still playing in The Grift, and I'm newly single. Yes, that's correct. Single. Let's just say it's been a tumultuous year. Some strikes, but mostly gutters. I'd have to say one of the shittiest years on record for yours truly. Let's not concentrate on the gutters though. Let's talk about some of the strikes.

For example, Gus was born.
I'd have to say that was the highlight of my year. He's a great dog. I mean, how could you not love that face?

I also got to travel some with The Grift. Besides our normal excursions to the South and Midwest, we got to go to Jamaica, Ireland, and we just got back from Jamaica again a few days ago. Yeah, but Fitzy, how was Jamaica?

Jamaica was a lot of fun. we were down there playing at Margaritaville for one week of college spring break. Last year we were there for two weeks, but I think one week was actually better. We stayed right on the property and it made things a lot easier and cheaper. Everything seemed a little less organized this year, but it was still fun. The shows rocked and we all felt like rock stars if only for a little while. For those of you wondering, and you know who you are, this year's "Boobwatch" numbers were up. I saw 19 unique pairs of unrestricted breasts this year for an average of 5.2 boobs a day. Up from last years count of 2.3 bpd.

Unfortunately (read: fortunately) with all the craziness caused by the storm in the Northeast, we were unable to leave on Sunday as planned. After arriving at the airport and waiting in a line that would make Disneyworld jealous, we got to the ticket counter only to find out there was only one seat left on the plane and there were three of us. Reng had already gone home (see Burger link above). So Clint, having a fiance and dogs to go home to decided to take the seat while Peter and I gritted our teeth and prepared to spend ANOTHER 2 days (all the flights were full the next day as well) in Jamaica. The airline said for "volunteering" our seats they would give us a flight voucher and put us up for the 2 days. OK, we said that'll be OK. Just show us to whatever passes for a Motel 6 around here and we'll make it work. Turns out they put us up in an all inclusive resort right on the beach, complete with waterslides, pools, swim up pool bars, and all the food and drink you can stuff yourself with. Someone had to do it. Those pina coladas weren't going to drink themselves.

We finally got back to VT (without our luggage, of course) on Tuesday. Back to reality. Back to all the things I had been putting off dealing with until I got back. Somehow living like a rock star isn't the same as being one. I'm not looking for sympathy. Not after that last story. I'm just venting. Isn't that the point of a blog. An outlet. Well, that's what this will be: my outlet. Hopefully a humorous outlet that will chronicle the life of a newly single sometime rock star and his vast and varied exotic sexual adventures that span the globe. More than likely it'll be posts about a most of the time nerd chronicling how he thought Stephen Colbert was funny last night. So hopefully you'll check it out every once in a while and see where I'm at. Until then, via con dios and via con........