Me Like Beer

I think the universe is trying to tell me something.
I was having my daily conversation with myself in the car this morning (Music…blah blah blah…life…blah blah blah) and I was just at the part where I was telling myself that (maybe) I might (possibly) get more work done (I dunno) on music if (maybe) I didn’t (huh?) drink so frickin’ much (Whatchoo talkin’ about Willis?) when this song came up on shuffle mode:

The God of Wine comes crashing through,
The headlights of a car that,
Took you farther than you thought you'd ever want to go,
We can't get back again,We can't get back again.

She takes a drink and then she waits,
The alcohol it permeates,
And soon the cells give way,
And cancels out the day

“God Of Wine” – Third Eye Blind


Thanks a lot universe! Fuck you!!

You know (subject change!!), a lot of music doesn’t stand up to the test of time, but that first Third Eye Blind CD is kinda awesome. I’m kinda surprised that I don’t hear more musicians talk about it because not only is it a pop gem, but it’s got some really cool instrumentation on in.

Anyways, Shuffle mode was kinda fucked today (Three Monkees songs in one morning? Seriously?? Universe, go fuck yourself!) So instead I will list the 5 best songs on Third Eye Blind’s eponymous debut

“The Background”
“Jumper”
“God Of Wine”
“Motorcycle Drive-By”
“How’s It Gonna Be?”

The Puerto Rican Fest is happening in the park this weekend, which means my neighborhood is going to be a madhouse. Thousands of people swarming in for the festivities. The streets gridlocked with cruisers, loud, awful music and horns honking, thousands of Boricua flags waving, and lots of women wearing mini dresses made out of the PR flag.
I can’t frickin wait (ed. note – that’s only partial sarcasm)

And there's a memory of a window,
Looking through I see you.
Searching for something,
I could never give you,
And there's someone who understands you,
More than I do,
A sadness I can't erase,
All alone on your face

“God Of Wine” – Third Eye Blind

Does This Guitar Make Me Look Fat?

You know what I wish?
It was just you and me,
sitting in this corner bar.
You could tell me how your are.
But I'm not gonna lie,or anything...
You don't even have to speak,
if you keep looking at me.

Well I could go all night,
but they're turning up the lights.
It would be so easy,
to do or say anything.
And I'm not gonna lie.
I'm not looking for love...
I won't let you in my heart.
But you were always on my mind

“Goodnight California” – Kathleen Edwards

During our Sunday afternoon jam session, I had Mike snap a picture of me rocking the Explorer (Because is metal to rock Explorers) and when I saw the shot, and I had to ask for a “sucking in the gut” re-take. Sadly, there wasn’t much improvement. Jesus, look at that loaf of hair.Here is Mike, demonstrating his “suck it in” technique. Clearly its superior to mine.Here is Royce watching in bemused wonderment. And playing drums.And the boys rocking out while I sat behind the kit (poorly).
Nothing usable got recorded, but we fleshed out some good ideas. (Including the sure to be a classic "Danzig Sleepy Now") There was some rock. There was some roll. The new beer fridge was inaugurated. Hooray.

The first 5 of Shuffle Mode today:

“Goodnight California” – Kathleen Edwards
“Take It On The Run” – Me First & The Gimme Gimmes
“Invincible” – Muse
“Save” – All Right Tokyo
“Lorraine” – Blue Angel

Okay. Chris go back to work now. Byebye.

Bathroom Distress Calls (and) The Super Secret Pizza Recipe

Lord, the road is long
And sometimes I get weary
Sometimes I might do wrong
Just to have somebody near me
But everywhere I go
And everything I do
When I wake up
I wake up wanting you

“Wake Up Wanting You” – Chris Quigley

Today is a wonderful Autumn day, and I had a wonderful Autumn weekend. Sunday was filled with Sunday Newspapers, Chicago Blackhawks Hockey, beer, and home made pizza:

Note the whole wheat crust and vegetables on this one (Because DCC wants to eat all healthy and shit):As you can see, not only is DCC a believer, but the dog is also a fan of the home made pizza as well: Want to know how to make it? I can’t tell you! It’s Brandon’s super secret dough recipe, go ask him.

Here is me, modeling the latest in stripey sweaters (Don’t I look kinda like Ralphie from “A Christmas Story” here??):I hung out with Mike B on Saturday, and we are working on a heavy metal version of “Me & Mrs. Jones” This is a picture of him taking a picture of something:
One of the highlights of my weekend was a call from my friend Christie (pictured below, pretending to be a librarian): She was calling me on Friday night. This is not unusual, except for the fact that I knew she was going to be out on a date, and she rarely calls FROM her dates to check in. Well, apparently this date wasn’t going so well, because she was calling me from the bathroom of the restaurant they were dining at. She was laughing her ass off and just about ready to bolt (I guess the guy was a Grade A Goober) Now, this might have been my opportunity to be a voice of reason or some shit like that, but I was laughing right along with her. (I always encourage bad behaviour in Christie, because she’s more fun when she’s being bad) But wait, there’s more... They were supposed to go to a concert after dinner, and she still wanted to go, so, with less than an hour left until showtime, and date #1 still sitting at the table, she was lining up a replacement date for the concert via text. Successfully, I might add. Brutal!! So, she was able to (in blindingly swift fashion) ditch her date, line up a new date, call her beloved, ailing friend (that’s me), stuff money in date #1’s hand to cover her dinner, and make a hasty retreat and not even break a sweat. She’s my new hero. Of course, the flip side of that, is that if I was a single, dating kind of guy, I would probably be Goober #1 more often than not (because I am, indeed, a big Gomer) and all the women of the world would be calling their friends from the bathroom, plotting their escape while I fiddled with the breadsticks and agonized over how to split the check.

The first 5 of shuffle mode today:

“Rise” – Doves
“I Love It When You Call Me Names” – Joan Armitrating
“Career Day” – The Format
“Celia’s Dream” – Slowdive
“The Crane Wife 3” – The Decemberists

Happy Frickin' Birthday To Me

You say it's your birthday?
It's my birthday too, yeah

"Birthday" - The Beatles

Hoo-fuckin-ray. I'm old!*

Here is a short list of things I would like to be doing today instead of sitting around in my jammies recovering from heart surgery (Cabin Fever Y'all!!!):

1) Going out for lunch (Jimmy Johns or Pot-Belly anyone?)

2) Going to a local pub (or two) to tip back some pints, possibly getting drunk and dancing on tables and/or even singing karaoke.

3) Going for a walk longer than a block without feeling weak and light-headed.

4) Going to the movies (I still haven't seen the newest Bourne movie, or the new Die Hard movie, or the Simpsons movie...)

5) Going to the mall (I want to buy a new jacket for winter)

6) Going out for dinner (I would have to decide between sushi and tapas and probably go with tapas)

7) Playing the guitar (My upper body hasn't recovered enough for that I fear)

8) Doing yoga (I actually found a form of exercise that I like, but won't be able to do it for a while, see #7, upper body recovery)

Here is a list of the things I CAN and I WILL be doing to celebrate today:

1) Opening presents (DCC is wrapping furiously away in the next room as we speak) hooray presents!

2) Grilling a big fuckin' steak (This I can do even in my most weakened condition. I could be on my death bed from cancer and I would still be trying to char up a Porterhouse the size of my own head. See this oversized grill fork? Cold. Dead. Fingers)

3) Watching hockey (Center Ice represent!)

4) Cuddling up with my crazy stinky beagle.

5) Being grateful that I'm alive and that my constant pain is subsiding.

6) Drinking a beer or two after dinner (Viva moderation!!)

That's all I've got for ya today, no first 5 because my crabby ass hasn't listened to any music yet.

*Someone told me that 40 is the new 30, but right now it feels like 40 is actually the new 39.

UPDATE - I was feeling saucy and got to go go down the street and out for lunch (mmm Sushi!) so I can't bitch too much about being cooped up today.

That is all.

More Pix From The Big "D" (Or) Sandbags For Summer Sprinkles

I am not a shadow
I am flesh and blood
meet me in the middle
if you think you could
if you think you could

if I'm walking in the dark
I'm whispering
if I'm walking in the dark
I'm whispering
follow my whisper
and I will see you through

if I make three wishes
one is not to fall
the other two will follow
beyond the wall

if the world spins faster
on my knees I crawl
if the world spins faster
on my knees I crawl
on my knees I crawl
straight on back to you

if I make three wishes
one is not to fall
the other two will follow
beyond the wall

I am not a shadow I am flesh and blood
meet me in the middle
if you think you could
if you think you could
I will see you through
if you think you could
I will see you through

“Fear Of Falling” – Golden Smog

Not much to say right now, just making preparations for Monday and trying to relax (Breathe goddammit, Breathe!!) In fact, I feel as if I’m almost over-prepared, like I’m stacking sandbags against a hurricane that turns out to be nothing more than just a summer sprinkle. I’ve built up so much anxiety about the upcoming surgery that more than likely, I will be saying “Really? Is that it? Seriously?” afterwards.
I mean, let’s hope so anyways (I’m such a pussy)

Here are few more pix from my trip to the big “D” this last weekend.
(Yes, he’s saying “Fuckhole!”)

Ubiquitous Lula & Pickle Shot:The jackassery never ceases with us.
Nona's= Best Pizza in the frickin' world... Okay, I'm off to the dentist for more pain. Yay!

The first 5 of Shuffle Mode today.

“This Is The Sea” – The Waterboys
“Share The Land” – The Guess Who
“Can’t Get You Out Of My Mind” – Aqualung
“Stray Cat Strut” – The Stray Cats
“Girls Can’t Wait” – The Gin Blossoms

Three Cheers For The Walking Wounded (Or) Cheesburgers, Beer and Pretty Girls Make The World Go 'Round

You ain’t the only one who
feels like this world left you far behind
I don’t know why you’ve gotta be
Angry all the time

“Angry All The Time” – Bruce Robison

Since this weekend was a last hurrah of sorts, I was determined to do some of my very favorite things, here my “to do” list from this weekend

1) Hang out with my friends
2) Drink as much beer as possible
3) Hug as many pretty women as possible
4) Eat a cheeseburger at every meal

I am proud to say that I accomplished 3 out of 4 of those tasks successfully and the fourth task, well, I ate a cheeseburger for a majority of the meals, but fell a little short of my goal. Maybe next trip.
Here are some pictures, there will be more when I get home and upload them from my camera.









Here are 5 songs that I intend to steal from Brandon’s iTunes before I leave today.

“Rainbow Connection” – Me First & The Gimme Gimmes
“Take It On The Run” – Me First & The Gimme Gimmes
“Live Wire” – AC/DC
“Let There Be Rock” – AC/DC
“Uncomfortably Numb” – Butch Walker

Box Was Here

Box was here, and as predicted, there was alcohol poisoning and minor cuts and bruises, but fuck it, it was fun.I had my consultation with an oral surgeon today, the wisdom teeth get yanked a week from Friday. Now that I have that scheduled, I can schedule everything else (yes, that includes the heart surgery FINALLY)

First Five Box-tacular tunes on Shuffle Mode this a.m..

“Rave On” – The Callbacks
“Mother’s Little Helper” – The Rolling Stones
“Up The Beach” – Jane’s Addiction
“California Songs” - Local H
“The Unforgettable Fire” –U2