The Answer, My Friend, Is Blowin' in the Wind
Some miscellaneous thoughts:

Some faithful long-time blog readers might have noticed that I wait with glee for the day when Lance Armstrong is exposed as the doper I'm sure he is. They may also have noticed that I champion Tyler Hamilton, the next-door all-American kid. Well, no more. Ever since he left the Vuelta with a "stomach ailment" (the time-honored cover story for "I'm gonna fail the drug controls, so I'm dropping out") and it was then revealed that he tested positive for homologous blood doping not once but twice...now his teammate has tested positive. His friends and supporters have set up a website called BelieveTyler-dot-something, but it's such a farce. If blood tests reveal someone else's blood in your system you either have recently had a transfusion or you injected someone else's red blood cells. Simple as that.
Trust no one.
I'm disappointed because I thought it was his grit and determination that was slowly pushing him to the top of pro cycling. Boy, was I wrong. He was just taking some of those old East German Olympic Team vitamins. This is so disgusting that I won't even bother with links. You all can google it if you want.

I found this at the front of an old book that I pillage for collages. I'm going to frame it, of course. I can't decide if I should put it in my geek lair at home or in my office. It's true either way.

Have I posted this before? Literally, I mean, not in spirit.

Where Have All the Flowers Gone
I love the Fall!
October is the best month! Almost NO YARD WORK!
Last night we had such terrible wind that the blanket of leaves that was on our lawn is now on the other side of the street!
So, my lawn is clean.
Ha!
I hate yard work. Always have, always will.
I'd much rather live in a condo or somewhere urban enough where lawns and leaves are not an issue.
Or somewhere so far out in the country that no one cares.
It just seems to me that life is way too short to waste time on grass and dead leaves.

I'm right.

Sickening
Maybe this really is a battleground state. The election is ALL people are talking about.
Except me.
I DO care what happens to our country, and I don't really foresee much good coming from the current President, but then again I don't see that Mr Kerry has all that much different to offer us, either.
Well, he CAN speak whole sentences, and as someone who does a lot of public speaking, I tend to place a high value on such things.

Adriana made me some more biscotti! She might be expecting me to share them, but no one but me knows they came. This is how she wrapped them.

Green Acres
OK, here's another Ohio thing I'll never understand.
Why do kids go trick-or-treating on some other night of the week, in the daylight?
Gabe decided to be Jedi Master Luke ("after he gets his mechanical hand"), Sam was Buzz Lightyear (with light saber). Gabe has been pretty absorbed by Star Wars ever since he saw the movies. I hope he doesn't turn into one of those comic store geeks.

After the festivities and the kids candied themselves to sleep, I plugged in and practiced a bit. I worked on O Come, O Come Emmanuel [old latin chants on the guitar are great!] and my Christmas Song. Then I played the intro riff to The Tain, then Grace Cathedral Hill. You can watch it here. Play music in the background, as it was recorded with the little digital camera with no audio.
Yuck

Not

Here On My Own Now After Hours
When I've got nothing else to do...
well, when I've got nothing I WANT to do...
I troll around the internet, of course.
And I know it's old hat for some, but I enjoy reading the contract riders for famous people, posted over at the Smoking Gun. Like The Man (Formerly) In Black.

Clogged
My head is full of snot. (From my cold, not because I AM a snot.)

I got pelted with leaves while standing at the corner--downtown!

The election is geting messier. Republicans are threatening to monitor the polls to make sure that ineligible voters don't exercise democracy. Not as official poll workers, mind you. Are they just going to stand there looking menacing? Scaring people away seemed to work in Florida last time. Down in the state capital there's some sort of nit-picky fracas over the paper stock of voter registration cards (regardless of the fact that they're not required to vote). Hopefully, things won't get ugly in our rural little corner of the state. Although there was that voter-registration in exchange for crack scandal a few weeks ago... (I'm not making this one up, folks.)

I'm Told the Eventual Downfall Is Just a Bill from the Restaurant
Got me some Cipro, so now that month-long cold might go away. Plus, I won't get anthrax.

Love
I, too, believe that lyric-quoting, on blogs or school book covers, is cheesy, and certainly derivative.
However, I keep looking at the chord sheet for one of my all-time favorite Robyn Hitchcock songs. It's a few feet away from where I park my iBook at night, hanging from one of those restaurant order slip clip bar thingies.

Gnomes are moving in the night
They sing and fiddle with delight
And we eat Weetabix and sing
About the joys that love can bring

Add to that Robyn's spare strumming, and (yes) Thomas Dobly's quiet synths, and you've got a masterpiece, I say.

Sweet on a Green-Eyed Girl
I've always liked that line, as Lauran has them, and is Irish as well.

What the Last 10 Minutes Have Taught Me
Sam asked me what an "imbecile" is. So, I mentioned a few names first, then I told him it's like calling someone dumb.

Only This Good
Fighting the same(?) cold for a month now.
Very tired of it.
Want to feel like self again.

Nothing Much, Really
Today is Lauran's birthday. Her mother seems to have forgotten. It could be the drugs OR the drink.

I heard on NPR at lunchtime some commentator say the phrase "soft Democratic women"--as opposed to hard Republican men? I like soft Democratic women better. They generally don't have NRA stickers on their pickups.

Yesterday Gabe performed Jolly Old St Nick for his classmates. I guess at the end of their music class they're invited to share songs, or bring in music. Gabe volunteered to play. He's such a ham. Last night at his lesson during Mississippi Hop Frog he'd swing his hands way up past his ears and then forget which key he was on when his hand came back down. Looks like we've got a little Elton in the family. Or Liberace. Or Billy Joel.

Remembrance of Things Past
Oh! That I could recount all the wonders of that magical night! I will make a feeble attempt.
First, I got there a little early. There was no van and trailer out back. Hmmm.
So I wandered around the block and came back a few minutes later. They had arrived! It was already about 5:30, so the load-in proceeded immediately. All available hands were enlisted in the efforts, and I offered to help as well, but people were intent on hauling, so I wasn’t immediately handed anything. So, I decided to make it seem like I was supposed to be there and went to find Mr Duffy, to give him the DVD I promised. (Let me add that from henceforth, Sunday, October 17th, 2004 should be designated “Robert E. Lee Duffy Day,” for his efforts in bringing the Band of All Bands to Columbus. Good work, sir! Although, that’s not entirely his name, I just thought it needed to sound appropriately famous.) Then I gave my Decemberist namesake the set of DVDs for the band. After that I tried to stay out of the way so the important people could do their work. Nate came back out the side door to retrieve his double bass, and I asked if the remaining container needed to come in. He said, “Yeah, and could you get that board there, too? [the merch display]” Ha! Now I had a purpose! So I carried them into the club and, then, well, stayed. First I “guarded” the Funk guitar—which I really DO love now—and the banjo, and various personal effects [not guitar pedals, bags]. Things were quickly set up on stage. Colin got out his guitars. Rachel’s drums were set up. Jenny’s keys, too. Apollo Sunshine started hauling in their gear, so Colin did a very brief vocal soundcheck—the usual hey hey check check stuff as well as a couple lines from the almost lost Smiths classic “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” or whatever it’s called. I talked to Chris briefly and gave him a pair of the socks. He immediately showed them to Rachel who quipped that they’ve considered a whole line of home products, like Martha Stewart has (had?) with Kmart. Ah, what a good joke. A little later Jenny came and talked to me, and then Rachel joined her. We had a lovely chat about many important topics, including other bands, England, religion, and John McEnroe (on guitar he’s no Kevin Bacon, I offered). Soon after I talked to Colin and asked him if he would mind doing a geeky thing and sign my copy of his charming Let It Be book. I asked if it was all true. His inscription? “It’s ALL true.” Soon after I planted myself in the middle, about 10 feet back. People started weaving in, and soon a fairly lengthy soundcheck by Apollo Sunshine ensued. They rocked, it’s true. Then our heroes took the stage, did their real soundcheck and almost secretly launched into Shanty. I bet someone else has posted the setlist, so I’ll just mention that the highlights included Angel(!) Infanta (that IS a ridiculous song, in a good way) and Bridges and Balloons. I got close ups of the chord changes for that one. I think I’ll have to revise the tab slightly—is that an Fmaj7? Anyway, even though they only got 3 hours of sleep, they put on a great show for the people of Columbus. The crowd was ripe for it, as there was much singing and a generally jovial atmosphere. I felt bad for the hipsters next to me. They were so excited about hearing the Tain, but since Colin did not bring his Epiphone—and the fact that the rock opera opus has been “retired”—it was not really a possibility. No matter, there are many fine live recordings of it.
And soon there will be another DVD.

PS Colin broke either the B or G string on the little Martin, and also played a Gibson, “Beatles” acoustic-electric, like I’ve seen John Lennon with in old pictures. And the Martin 12 of course, too. It’s interesting. If you’ve seen enough shows you can almost predict what number will be next. Certain song combos pop up, and certain instrument combinations reveal it, too.

Let the magic continue, but let them all have a rest until they tour for the new album.

PPS I now realize that the sound guy—David?--I’ve seen at shows comes with them. He’s the only one I didn’t speak to, cuz I told Adam that I enjoyed Norfolk & Western and wished they could have played last night, too.

Business As Usual
They were giving these out at the show. Ha!

Happy Feet
Jamie made these for me for my birthday.

Perpsex Island
Now that I'm older, I have some perspective on this whole life thing...
I've noticed that I live in seasons.
I do art when it's cold. I ride my bike when it's warm. All year long I pursue other momentary passions.
So now it's art season, and I've got a few new paintings started, but it could be years until I want to finish them. In the old days it was nothing to carry them around half-done for 10 years. But that whole batch is gone now. And I don't think the time factor made them any better!


AFAIK I'll be away from any WiFi or net until maybe Tuesday. See you then!

What's So Happy about It?
I am older today.
(sigh)
That's one milestone. According to the Bible (if one is wont to consult the Bible), I am more than half dead.
(sigh)
Another, less depressing milestone is that I now have on my iPod more than 1 full day's worth of Decemberists music. That's right! I could, if I so choose, spend an entire 24 hour period with them. Of course, I'd have to listen to The Chimbley Sweep about 50 times, as it is on almost every recording I have!
I would not, under any circumstance, be listening to Pink Floyd, but I might be persuaded to listen the The Violent Femmes. (Answer to birthday security question, Ms Pelec.)

Gabe made me a birthday card. It has ghosts on it. One is saying, "I am your dad." I think that's because he's been enthralled with Star Wars ever since last weekend, when we had a movie marathon.

I Am a Writer, Writer of Fiction
Oh!
How could I forget the number one crazy family in this town?
I'm not entirely sure of their last name, but I know the husband(?) is Jimmy. Jimmy has several personas, two of which I have been privileged to meet: the remorseful jailhouse killer (in black leather motorcycle jacket) and the preacher (in powder blue suit). He also has two sisters(?) girlfriends(?) wives(?), who walk around town with an old push mower or spend their afternoons sitting on the lawn of the elementary school. I assume they're mostly harmless, but the other day I did see Jimmy screaming at passing cars.
This is all true.

I Am The Heart That You Call Home
Have I mentioned that I am acquainted with all the local crazies?
I know the guy who wears multiple hats and jackets and pants all at the same time. Also, wigs?
I know the guy who can't read or write and is always "just passing through."
I know the lady who goes into the jewelry store once a week to get her gumball machine jewelry cleaned for free.
There may be others.
Oh, yeah, the toothless Mexican. (No offense is implied, he IS from Mexico--there are a lot of migrant workers here still).

Whistle While You Work
For some reason, Gabe got up at 5:45am today. He proceeded to get dressed with every light on, then sang as he brushed his teeth.
Then he came and asked me if he could go watch TV.
It's still dark, boy.

Who'd a Thunk It?
My cheapo acoustic-electric is sounding much better, thank you.
At first, it was kinda buzzy. The supposed Martin strings were too heavy for my taste, and, just dead-sounding. So I replaced them with some spiffy new D'Addario EXPs (Custom Light, 11-52) and it sounds so much better and a lot less buzzy. A few weeks into those new strings the buzz is almost gone and that pulsing sharp-flat-sharp-flat sustain is pretty smooth, too. I suppose since these things are wood, they take some breaking in. They have to season, like cookware(?). It doesn't smell like glue anymore, either. I was worried that I'd bought a complete dud, but now it's only half dud. And that was the reason I bought it. I didn't expect it to sound like a Martin! I wanted one I didn't have to worry about hurting.

Bike news: 2005 Ultegra 10 is out and, to me, looks way better than the 04 Dura Ace. My frame isn't worth hanging the new stuff on, but if Shimano follows their typical pattern, 10 speed will trickle down to 105 next year, then Tiagra in 07, unless they invent a new group, as they are also wont to do. So, a new bike or at least a new drivetrain is in the not terribly distant future. Now if they would just get those tubeless road tires standardized...

And the Winner Is...!
Oh my.
Before this week is over I'll be a year older.
I'm way too old to be chasing The Decemberists around the Midwest.
I'm way too old to be learning guitar and a little piano.
But that doesn't stop me.
Although I AM a little too young to have SO MUCH grey hair (thanks, Dad!)
I'm not too old to paint, or ride my bike, or write, or work on this silly blog.
I also read a lot, if that counts for anything.

The Dream Is Over
In deference to my little brother and his newly acquired hatred of the noble bicycle, I have refrained from writing about the two-wheeled wonder in this blog of late...but no more!
Today I went on a sunny, windy, Fall ride. Not too long, a little over 90 minutes, but it was great fun. I even wore my favorite socks, which, through art, pretty much sum up the whole of my cycling career.

Not a Letter from an Occupant
Wow! An unnamable source has forwarded me a copy of Neko Case's forthcoming live album! (This person told me that release dates don't mean much in "the industry.") It's just fantastic. That fiery redhead (why are redheads always described that way?) has a great rack voice!
Sorry, that was sexist.
She's kinda like a female Johnny Cash--same husky, smoky voice, same swagger and morbid humor.
Whether it's an original song or an old standard, she's just fantastic. Even the hidden track at the end, where she suggests all the "extra" children be fed to hungry tigers (they're "noble" and "sleek") is great. "We're not doing anything with them...children are loud and messy."

At least this picture is safe for work. A little googling will get you to a lot more of Ms Case.

So Sad
If I had to call it right now, from where I find myself in this country, Bush will win in a few weeks.
That doesn't mean I'm pleased about it.
I think the President's garbled grammar reflects his inner mental deficiencies. He can't even speak without tripping over himself. Can you imagine what goes on inside his head? And Cheney's general slitheriness is frightening. But it's not like Kerry is winning a lot of hearts and minds here in flyover land. I think this supposedly battleground state has declared a ceasefire. Most of the people have, anyway, I think. Party officials and diehards and true believers haven't yet. They're still holed up in their little sniper lairs. But the rest of us are just tired of the constant ugliness of the campaign. Truly, 24 hours a day, every commercial break on TV is filled from top to bottom with campaign propaganda.
For a change of pace there was a Lyndon LaRouche supporter with homemade signs at the Post Office yesterday. He looked like a piece of work. In big neon yellow letters his sign said "Bush is an IDIOT" "Cheney is EVIL" "Kerry is FDR" He just calls 'em as he sees 'em. Someone else in town has a lawn covered with Peroutka signs. Now, that guy is just nuts.
And don't get me started on this war.


The next generation'll have to figure it all out and fix it for us.

Get Lost
Soon, this plain-jane template will be oh-so-personalized.
Yup, the green and orange Clash motif Blogger freebie will be zapped in favor of one that looks more like something I would do. Only Brian is doing it. He's got that whole html thing going, so he can accomplish what I can't. Don't know when, faithful readers, but soon. It's all part of my great migration from free ISP web space to an actual domain (on some server who knows where--isn't that odd? I have no idea where this stuff actually is?).

Oh, and I seem to have confirmation that I can make The Royal Ubquitous Handycam, Vol 2 when the band hits Columbus in a week and a half. I'm very excited. Perhaps I'll get that DV camera I've been eyeing at the store. But I did go to the trouble of buying a DV bridge a couple three years ago, and the old analog 8mm Handycam still works right most of the time. (Every once in a while it'll slowly zoom in on its own until you whack it. And it sometimes forgets the battery is there. But it's served well, it has.)

courtesy of donewaiting.com

Bad Bad Bad
I'm a lazy-ass cyclist. I haven't been on the road in weeks (except to ride to the office), but I have been on the trainer, watching DVDs.
I'm a thieving father. Gabe has started piano lessons and his teacher insists a parent be there to know what his practice assignments are for the next week, so...I've been swiping his lessons and getting a little music theory on the sly. Suzuki!

Experience the Luscious Scent of Raspberries Kissed by the Sun
That's what my shampoo said. Cheap stuff.
Spent the day with Han Solo, Luke, and all the others, via the box set of the first three (best) movies. Yes, I know old George tweaked them yet again to make some details fit with the new movies, but they're still the greatest cinematic achievements of my lifetime. The reworked Ewok party, with all the different Republic cities cut in, is definitely better. And a nod to Part 3 as well, with Hayden Christensen as Anakin when the Jedi ghosts appear. I was going into 3rd grade when Star Wars came out. Now, when the last one comes out next summer (is it?) Gabe will be. I wish I still had some of the figures. I hear they're going for big bucks on eBay.

If It's Not Love, Then It's The Bomb That Will Bring Us Together
Wedding Anniversary.
(I always hear the Flintstones anniversary song in my head when I write that.)
11 years. God, I feel old.
I know it's not a jewelry year, but I bought Lauran a lovely ring anyway. You see, many years ago, for our first anniversary, I bought her an opal ring. One year after that, in a freak accident, I smashed it. She was swinging her hand toward me. I was raising a glass. The rim of the glass hit the opal squarely and pulverized it. I promised to buy her another someday. This one is so much nicer. It's a blue opal, not that soapy white kind, with a couple of diamondy things on each side. Probably more diamond on this ring than her engagement ring.
I am a very good husband.

Teach Your Children Well
This is Sammy, "playing" a Beatles tune.

This week my musical education came to a grinding halt and then lurched forward.

I corresponded with a friend, a PROFESSIONAL musician, about a song of his I liked and tried to play.* He sent me the real chords and, for a laugh, I sent him the ones I was using. He called my version "jazz," which I've noticed is not usually a compliment. And he was totally right--about them being all wrong. I found out from the piano prodigy I know that you can't just put together any chords you want. Yes, I know about keys and chord families, and i-iv-v, and all that, but I didn't know they were, like, rules. That must be what Robyn is on about when he introduces the song Alright, Yeah as being "very pleasing" and "incapable of upsetting you musically."

* He also has a son named Sammy, who also, presumably, tries to play Beatles tunes.

Blame The Machine
This is not the original post. That one got lost when I was trying to upload a photo. Stupid Safari.
It doesn't matter, though, as I was being unpleasant about someone I've never even met.

What I wanted to mention was that Gabe broke his wrist yesterday. Poor little fella. He was very brave about it.
Fell off the monkey bars, you know.



I think I might know why Safari crashed: I have the iMic in one USB port, a camera in the other, I'm burning a DVD for Adriana, and I'm surfing, too.