Greetings, Programs!

Moving on up!

2009-06-02T10:28:00.000-07:00

So, after packing, lifting, and driving all my shit, I'm in my new place now. It's not that far from the other place in Colchester. I am, however, closer to the bowling alley. I'm about 5 minutes away, in fact. The "Summer of Jeff" can now officially start. I'm in a bowling league, I joined summer league ultimate (shocking, I know), and I'm soon going to join a gym. One of my roommate's family owns one, so it's not as proactive as it appears. Weddings are starting up again this month, so I'll actually have money to spend on trivial things like food and rent. Yes, the Summer of Jeff is about to begin. Stay tuned for all the sordid details. Well, as sordid as they can get at bowling league.

Sdtk: The birds yelling at each other in the woods behind my condo.

Bailout Money

2009-02-25T09:07:00.000-08:00

So, I'm sitting here on Jer's couch writing ANOTHER blog entry. Amazing! Yes, I do sit on Jer's couch an awful lot. For those of you who don't know, I still work Mon and Tues in Middlebury. Instead of commuting back and forth to Burlington, I sleep on Jer's couch. I feel like all my years on the road has prepared me well for this.

Anywho, The Grift is in "Bailout Mode". We're trying to get some money to help stimulate the production of our CD. Having spent all our money on making the music side of things, we need more to actually get physical copies of it. So, we've set up a way for people to get digital copies of the album now, before it's released, with the option to get a physical copy later. It's all explained at this handy address: click me!

Although it doesn't say it...you can get the digital download of the album with any donation above $10. So, say, you donate $15, you'll receive the digital now and the physical when it's finally reproduced.

Also, how about that speech last night by Obama. I just liked the way he shook hands in the beginning. Respectful of the magnitude of the occasion but not stifled by the pomp and pageantry. Also, how about the "Republican Response". It's like they forgot that they've been in power for the last 8 years. For a political party that represents the interests of the more privileged sections of the country, they sure do play the victim well. My favorite was when Jindal was talking about the need for privatized health care: "We think Health Care should be between you and your doctor". I could only laugh at that. When in the past 20 years has health care been between you and your doctor without the not-so-subtle guiding hand of for-profit insurance companies. I mean, do Republicans ever actually go to the doctor?

SDTK: J.Geils Band - "Centerfold"

I'm back, Baby!

2009-02-23T19:00:00.000-08:00

Howdy, again. So what's with the prolonged absence? Um...I don't know for sure. Let's just just say I'm happy to be back. A lot has changed since I last posted. We have a new President, I moved to Burlington, I went to Mexico, I read a book about pick-up artists, I did about 100 crossword puzzles, I bought bowling shoes, and a lot more. Of all these things, I choose to talk about my bowling shoes.
They are pretty damn sweet, huh? I found I was bowling a lot and spending $3 on shoe rentals every time. I'm not necessarily the thriftiest person you've met, but I'm close and I figured, why not? At $3 a pop, with $39 bowling shoes, after the 13th time they're free from then on! You can't argue with that math. Especially because I've pretty much bowled at least once a week since the start of 2009. I'm getting my hook down and everything. If I could get a more stable schedule, I'd definitely join a league. I think of bowling as "winter golf". Considering how long stupid winter is here, I figure it's good to have a hobby. Sure, Rockefeller, I could snowboard, but considering how iffy the banks are with loans these days, I'd rather eat.

Speaking of Rock and bowling: Thursday marks a high point in my musical career. My first gig at a bowling alley. That is, if you don't count the show in Chicago at the banquet hall that had 4 lanes in the basement. It wasn't a "bowling alley" per se. Thursday my new side project, The Schrizzz, plays at Spare Time in Colchester and I couldn't be more psyched. The only thing better might be a strip club, but I've played for strippers before...that's another story for another time...
I'll let you all know how it goes.

Sdtk: The theme music for Halo 3 as I sit on Jer's couch writing this.

Doppel Ganger

2008-11-17T18:42:00.000-08:00

So the new album is done...sort of. We still have to mix and master it and come up with the artwork. All very important and time intensive things, but it's hard to be patient when all of my work is done. Patience, grasshopper.

Also, I'm trying to motivate to pack for my move back to Burlington. My self-imposed hermitage in Middlebury has been nice, but it's time to move back and rejoin society (read: hang out with girls). So, I'm moving up this week sometime (I hope). I've started packing a little, but have reached the point where it's a little overwhelming figuring out what to do next. I'd really like to go through everything I own and thin the herd as I go but I'm pretty much at the level of motivation where I throw everything in garbage bags, load up the trailer, and sort it all out when I get there. Is that wrong?

SDTK: La Fille D'Autostop - Das Grift

Time keeps on slipping...

2008-11-06T21:41:00.000-08:00

That's right. Nice work, America. The Grift is in the middle of recording our new album (get ready for a shock) and we had a nice break on Tuesday to watch the returns come in. Nothing is more inspiring than inspiration. It's kind of fun to be doing something momentous in your professional life and have it dwarfed in scope by something momentous for the world. No matter how long we play in the band, we'll always get to remember the good time we were having when America stepped up to the plate and knocked one out of the park.

Sdtk: A president who once again speaks in cohesive sentences...finally.

NYC Bound

2008-09-01T19:09:00.000-07:00

After a busy weekend, I'm headed out tomorrow for 6 days on the road. Two showcase shows with Jer Coons at Arlene's Grocery in NYC, a couple weddings and a benefit show. Busy, busy, busy. That's ok, it distracts me a little from worrying about the upcoming election and will fill my time until the new NFL season starts this week. Lots of stuff packed into this little post, but that's how it works when I've got less than 12 hours to eat, pack, and sleep before hitting the road.

Sdtk.: The clock ticking...

Suh-weet!

2008-08-15T18:29:00.000-07:00

I just made an amazing discovery: my TV has Picture-in-Picture!!! I tried the buttons a YEAR ago when I first got cable in my apartment and they didn't work. Or so I thought. It turns out you just have to press on them harder than you might think at first. I found this out by dropping the remote on my end table and poof! up pops the magic screen. It also works with the DVR. I can now watch taped Daily Shows while keeping an eye on the Red Sox. Currently I'm watching my first Pre-Season NFL game and the Olympics at the SAME TIME!! I love it. Truly, truly love it. So much so that I'm not even mad I haven't discovered it until now.

Also, I am way into the Olympics at this point. I had to record last nights women's gymnastics all-around and watch it today.

SDTK: "You gotta be kidding me?! Picture-in-Picture?!" (Minor dance party ensues)

G's up, Ho's down

2008-07-27T12:59:00.000-07:00

That's right. I'm back. Just as I started writing this Snoop Dogg came up on iTunes so I might have to take writing breaks to dance a little.

So, It's been a while. Sorry to all my readers for the prolonged absence. There was a lot going on to write about, but I just didn't feel like it. Not in so much that I didn't feel like WRITING, but I didn't feel like writing about myself. I was just bored with myself. Do you ever get that? Bored with everything about yourself: your likes, your dislikes, feeling lonely, feeling like you need some time alone, your brokeness, your music, your apt, etc. I finally got to where I was bored of being bored. Also, we started playing weddings and some actual money started rolling in. I can't explain how much everyone's outlook changes for the better when we're actually making money. Not having the stress of playing chess with your bills to get them all paid is a significant boost to the system. So what is going on?

Well, it's summer so that means wedding season. Woo Hoo! We've played some pretty fun weddings so far. Last weekend was at The Round Barn in Waitsfield. It's our favorite place to play weddings by far. They just have their shit together at such a higher level than anywhere else and they're really nice. Also, there was the added bonus of my favorite bartender from Waitsfield (who I have a secret crush on - shh, don't tell) working the wedding. The people attending the wedding were really nice, but not so much the dancing crowd. Belting out "Don't Stop Believing" to 100 people sitting down ranks among the stranger things I've done in my career. But, we gots paid, so that makes up for a lot.

I also finally got a practice drum kit for my apt. Drums are such a physical instrument that it's kind of hard to really practice with out a set. Practice pads are helpful, but only when there's not a kit around. So I'm looking forward to some serious practice sessions most likely resulting in my over-use of Carter Beauford-esque fills in my shows from now on.

What else, you ask? Well, I officially turned 33 last Monday (look for a separate post about that) and got to go home to Rochester/Syracuse. That was a lot of fun. Got to see the fam, my bros. new gianormous house, and The Dark Knight (seen it twice already and probably going for #3 soon!).

That's it for now. Look for my tribute to the number 33 coming soon.

SDTK: Currently iTunes shuffle is playing "Man From The Past" by Tower of Power

Cuddle Parties?

2008-05-04T20:44:00.000-07:00

Here's Colbert's take on the newest sensation in New Age group therapy: Cuddle Parties:

"Cuddle Parties? Look, I know an orgy when I see one...If I'm gonna get down on the floor and cuddle with total strangers, things better get real freaky, FAST! I'm talking Sodom and Gomorrah on all fours. I mean there better be things going on that would make Caligula blush."

Hilarious.

Sdtk: The sound of my laughter weeknights between 11:30 and 12:00.

Beat Down

2008-04-21T18:48:00.000-07:00

I am beat down. Big weekend in The Manch. 8 Days in April began on Saturday and has been going well. I've been a busy man though. I set up a lot of drumsets (2 actually) and played in 4 bands already. It's fun to be popular (read: music whore), but it's tiring. I'm currently home catching up on my cuff link work and my Dancing With The Stars. I mean, I can't watch The Daily Show exclusively! Although I'm psyched tonight because my favorite Irish politician will be on. I'll post again later with more stories and pics from 8 Days. I have to go vote for Kristi Yamaguchi now.

Sdtk: The sound of my exasperation when I found out NESN was showing stoopid hockey (which is only fun if, you know, you're hammered) instead of the Sox.

King of Kong

2008-04-05T11:12:00.000-07:00

Hello! Anyone tall enough to play stand-up arcade games in the 80's needs to see the movie "The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters". It's a documentary about the world of video game high scores centered around a battle for the high score on Donkey Kong. Sound nerdy? It is, but it's hilarious and really well done. You couldn't write characters this good. It's also got a great soundtrack and a bunch of subtle nods to the 80's that only someone alive then (like me) would appreciate. Rotten Tomatoes gave it 96% Fresh, which for them is almost unheard of. See it, you won't be disappointed.

Also check out the new blog in my "links section": The Adventures of GirlTuesday. I've been enjoying this blog for some time now and finally put up the link to it. It's funny, smart, witty, and well written...sound like any other blog you know?? No, really, any other blogs like that? I enjoy reading them.

SDTK: Joe Esposito - "You're the Best" (from the Karate Kid soundtrack)

Flames.

2008-03-03T19:52:00.000-08:00

Hello again. As usual it's been a busy time here at The Program. A lot of playing. A lot, yet not enough time in the studio. I say not enough because I feel I have more to do in the studio on Jer's new record, it sounds really, really good, I'd just like to spend more time there because it's a lot of fun. The vibe in that studio right now is electric. We all can sense this project is truly something special. I can't wait to finish it and get it into the world so everyone can understand what I'm talking about. We're looking forward to the upcoming show at Higher Ground on the 21st of March. If you're anywhere within 4 hours of Burlington, VT, you should come to this show. The CD won't be out yet, but you can hear the songs we've all had in our head constantly for the past month and a half.

After getting back from the studio, The Grift had a good show at the new Two Bros. downstairs venue. The space could still use a raised stage, but it's a 30 second drive from my house, so it's hard to complain. The next night I got to participate in my first symposium at Middlebury College. For those of you who didn't go there, Middlebury calls any lecture/conversation with more than one person a "symposium" and they were ubiquitous during my 4 years there. This one was a discussion for the beginning of "Arts Week" about the music business and how alumni from Midd fit into it. The panel was Laura Thomas, Chris Farrell, and myself. It wasn't that well attended (symposiums rarely are), but it was still really fun. We talked a lot about how we got into the business and how Middlebury fit into it. It was interesting to hear their take on it and good to talk out loud about things I hadn't given voice to. We got to play a little too which was fun because I always have a good time playing with those two. Later that night I went to see the Laura Thomas Band play at the afore mentioned Two Bros. They were great. If you live in the NYC region, you should definitely check them out. It would have been nice to see Cletus there, but the band still rocked. I also got to sit in on bass for a couple old Polonius Funk standards. They're still funky tunes.

The next day, Saturday, is when the real shit started. Saturday was one of the most surreal days of my life. A serious 24 hour roller coaster. It started on our drive to Boston from Burlington to play a show we have been looking forward to for months, the CD release party for The Old Silver Band at Harper's Ferry. Actually, the day started with shaving my beard into my mustache tribute to the OSB. Being the mustache aficionados that they are, I knew they'd appreciate it.
Back to the driving... Everything was going smooth. We had a great book on CD by Micheal Connelly and Harry Bosch was getting closer and closer to solving the case. Suddenly there was a loud pop and hiss and then the van started chugging loudly. I was driving at the time and thought we got a flat tire. I may have even said "Shit, I think we just got a flat tire". I braced the wheel, ready for the usual pull to whatever side the tire blew on and nothing happened. I decided to speed up and sure enough the chugging got louder and quicker, right in the area of the engine. We thought maybe we had lost connection with our muffler or something. We were pretty close to an exit for Concord, NH so I pulled off and we looked for a place to park and gather ourselves. After conflicting directions from several people, I called AAA (thanks, mom!) and they told us there was a Sears open 3 miles away. A garage open on Saturday?! We brought it in and they looked at it and thought they could fix it by Sunday afternoon. That's right, they're open on Sunday too! We got a hold of Clint who was already in Boston and he got the OSB's van and came to get us. In the meantime, we're stranded in a mall in Concord for an hour. We pass the time, go outside to meet Clint to go down to Boston and what was a clear, sunny day an hour ago has now turned into an inch of snow and counting. Really!? Could this suck any worse? Luckily we drive out of the snow pretty quickly and make it to the show with just enough time for us to load our crap in before the first band, our friends from Burlington, Bad Suit go on. Finally, we're at the show, we're loaded in, and the music starts. Bad Suit killed it. I had never seen them and they rocked! Then it was our turn and we played really well. I'll say one thing about this band, we play well under stress. It was such a relief to play after the shitty afternoon we had had. We still didn't know how or if we were getting home the next day, but we put all that behind us and brought it. People were psyched and dancing, we were happy to be playing, I didn't drop a stick, it was great. Ahhh...now we could just watch our friends and saviors the OSB and enjoy ourselves. If you've never heard the OSB, it's very happy music. It's good for what ails you. There was a rotating line up of guests with the OSB including all of The Grift boys except one, me. I was too busy enjoying myself dancing and perhaps...(though this is all your going to get) romancing. What started out as a disastrously stressful day turned into a truly great night. The best I've had in a long, long time.

The next day word got to us the van was fixed! Turns out a spark plug blew out of the engine. Whoops! They replaced it and the coil and we were GTG. After walking around sunny Boston for a bit, I met up with Big Time, PD+MLE, and we got a ride back to Concord from our good friend EC (coming through strong!). We got in the van and I slept like a champ all the way back to VT. Sadly, the mustache has come off, but like the day I had while wearing it, I will remember it fondly forever.

SDTK: "Burning Heart" - Survivor (from the Rocky IV soundtrack)

Back to the Lab Again

2008-02-09T13:11:00.000-08:00

So, lot of big things doing here for The Program. I just got back from Providence RI where I was laying down drum tracks for the upcoming Jer Coons record. I love being in the studio. It's a lot of work but also a lot of fun. We were recording at Strangeways Recording. I got to use Mike's drum kit and it sounded huge. I'm psyched to hear how the rest of the record turns out. When we weren't recording or watching the results from Super Tuesday, we ate a lot of good food. There are some really nice, cheap vegetarian eats in Providence. Who knew? One of the highlights of the trip was on the first day we got there and we went to Guitar Center and Chipotle in the same hour. That's a good way to start a session, no?

The Grift also just released a new live CD called "Live at Nectar's". I know it's hard to keep track sometimes, but on this CD I play the drums for most of it and bass on a couple tunes that Russ sits in on. Last Saturday night we had a CD release party at (ironically) Nectar's. It was a blast. The crowd was rocking and hopefully so were we. Anyone interested in picking up the CD can email me or hopefully it will be available for sale up on The Grift site soon.

That's all from The Program. For now, I'm going to try to adjust to life back in the snow (Providences weather was much nicer).

SDTK.: Matisyahu "Youth"

I Still Hate the Giants.

2008-02-09T13:10:00.000-08:00

I still Hate the Giants.

I HATE The Giants!

2008-01-14T10:34:00.000-08:00

It's true. I do. For those of you who don't know, I'm a Cowboys fan. I'm also a Pats fan, which presented some problems earlier in the season. I was hoping it was going to present some problems for the Super Bowl. Now I'll have no such problems thanks to the Cowboys beating themselves while playing the Giants. I won't go into specifics about that last sentence except to say: who slows down their route in the End Zone when you're down by 7 at the end of the game?!? Crayton... I'm looking in your direction...

Anyways, I would rather have not made the playoff than have to lose to the fucking Giants. For those of you who don't follow football, the Giants are the football equivalent of the Yankees. You might think since the Jest play in the same conference as the Pats, they would be the NFL Yankee doppelganger. The NY Jets are really more like the Mets: they're so inconsistent season to season, that they pretty much only have fans inside the NY metro region (and Long Island, but who cares about Long Island?). The Giants on the other hand have obnoxious fans all over New England (and New Jersey, 'nuff said). I'm not saying that Cowboys fans can't be obnoxious too, but this is MY blog, dammit.

So now it's Pats all the way, relieving me of some tough introspection I would have to do if it was a Cowboys/Pats Sooper Bowl. You'd think I'd thank the Giants for helping me out with that. Well, you'd be wrong.

Sdtk.: The sound of my teeth grinding that ENTIRE FUCKING GAME!!

Back On The Wagon

2008-01-08T19:54:00.000-08:00

I'm back! I know, the writers' strike is still going on, but if The Daily Show and Colbert can go back on, so can I. I'm so happy to have them back. I laughed hysterically at last night's shows. There's so much going on what with the primaries, Kenya, Pakistan, etc., etc. I'm glad I can now find out about all of them. I didn't realize how much I actually got my news from those shows. I used to get it from NPR as well, but living in Middlebury, I don't listen to NPR as much as I used to.

So what's been going on with me, you ask? The Grift has been very busy playing shows all over. There were a lot before the holidays and a lot after. It's funny, usually people think of the holidays as stressful because of all the running around and for me it was the most relaxed time I've had in a while. A nice change from not running around as much as I do in my everyday life. Just what I needed.

What else? I've been playing a lot of piano recently. I don't know why, but I've really been in the mood to play some piano. So I said what the hell, why not? So I've been learning tunes in the downtimes between doing things I should actually be doing. This week I've learned 3 songs: Lights by Journey, Warning Sign by Coldplay, and Autumn Leaves. I'm pretty psyched about it.

Well, I'm glad to be back if for no other reason than to have back my outlet for telling everyone how funny I am. Like just before I wrote this I was on Yahoo! and saw a news article about how the Russians are winning the race to put a human on Mars first. My first thought was "Well that's fitting, it is a RED planet." HA!! Man, that's such good joke writing, I should go back on strike! Alas, I won't. So look for more frequent posts in the future. I gotta run, my DVR should have recorded through the first set of commercials on The Daily Show by now. Till next time...

SDTK: A lot of Drum and Bass by Aphrodite that I got from my brother at Christmastime.

Solidarity

2007-11-29T11:36:00.000-08:00

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.

2007-09-24T11:17:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-24T09:51:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-09-06T15:18:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-04T10:51:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-08-20T08:19:00.000-07:00

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...

2007-07-30T10:28:00.000-07:00

...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!

2007-07-26T10:47:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-26T10:19:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-10T09:42:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-10T09:30:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-22T13:43:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-06-10T11:53:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-04T12:54:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-05-21T08:29:00.001-07:00

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.

2007-05-09T08:17:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-05-09T08:07:00.000-07:00

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?

2007-04-13T09:04:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-13T08:21:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-03-30T11:42:00.000-07:00

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...

2007-03-23T11:14:00.000-07:00

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........

Check One...

2006-09-04T15:05:00.000-07:00

to the two, to the three, two, one...