Blah blah blah

I bet that none of you come here for politics, but in case you haven't seen this, it's an enjoyable read worth five minutes of your day. Especially if you've ever watched an episode of the West Wing and ardently wished that Bartlet was actually a former POTUS.

Now, back to what's really important!

Oh, also: apparently some dudes are gonna argue about stuff or something tonight. Could be interesting, I dunno. Also try to remember to vote. Sometime in November, I think.

Proceeding as planned

Rehearsals for "The 'Awesome' Cycle" coming up at ACT are going well so far. 

This week, we refined a few song ideas based on a little process we like to call Kunjabunja, we learned some songs from a little musical we like to call Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, we drank some beer, we created some more of the aforementioned Kunjabunjas (NOTE: more focus equals better 'bunjas), Basil had a hard time with bass solos, John didn't see a doctor for his malaria or whatever, we talked about how we need a retreat and won't have time for one in '08, we learned how actually easy it was to play steel drums, John A was missed, we practiced harmonies, Rob was a great rehearsal captain, songs that have Cobra and Forest in the title are winners, Trader Joe's spinach and feta mini-pizzas make a good dinner two nights in a row and Kirk broke his car but got it fixed the next day for $40. 

(John O celebrating the temporary fix of Kirk's car. Or maybe he's just always happy. Could be either.)

Philosophy & Poetry

In a couple of weeks -- starting October 9 -- I'll be co-teaching (with the talented Jennifer Borges Foster) a class on Philosophy & Poetry at The Hugo House. It's a 6-week class (Oct 9-Nov 13), meeting 4pm-6pm on Thursdays. The class is primarily a writing class for people who want their poetry to have more philosophical substance without being clichéd or obvious or preachy, etc. We'll also learn about llamas.

If you're interested, or you have a friend that might be interested in taking the class, register by calling 206-322-7030.




(This has been a public service announcement brought to you by The Ball Machine and Floating Man.)

last night's show in Fremont

hours spent at venue: 8
drink tickets given to Rob: 2
weird sparkling fruit water drinks consumed: 2
visits to restroom due to said drinks: 5
free sushi eaten: 0
birthdays celebrated by friends in attendance: 2
reprimands by venue staff: 2
minutes our set got cut short: 25
songs we played after we were asked to be done: 1
bizarre drunken compliments received: 6
times my phone died: 2
clock display when I got home: 3:32

thanks to those who came and had a good time with us
thanks audiosocket and brian (our sound man)

Happy Birthday Rob!

Congrats to our trusty accordion/sax/clarinet/cowbell/triangle/anything-else-you-can-imagine-so-long-as-it-doesn't-have-strings player, who is now of the age of consent!
Yay Rob!

Feel free to put your favorite memories of Rob in the comments.

The Postcards

The last time I saw them was at the Shrine. We were out in LA in '73 for the Grammys. The LA scene had gotten so snowy, you couldn't find a person who wasn't out of their band, out of their relationship, out of their mind, or just out of options.

I stepped out onto the wide balcony at the Shrine and had a final cigarette--at least for the night. I told the seat holder to get comfortable and I grabbed an extra martini.

She was so far out of my mind that her orbit hadn't yet made the long, slow turn back. And yet I got the signal. I looked up. The moon was full but so empty. I took the glass with me and walked out through the kitchen, down the street and caught a cab. The song was playing on the car radio, like a practical joke:

I own the tailors face and hands. I am the tailors face and hands.

I had been chasing it for so long that not even the chase was interesting anymore. I decided not to chase her this time, either. I just wanted to sleep.

I slept for 15 years.

Hey, so...

I'm getting married today. So that's pretty cool.

About Theater

About that upcoming ACT show. It might not be what you think it is.

Also, am I eating something?

Theater mash-up

So we went and performed a showcase at the Western Arts Alliance booking conference last night. We shared the stage with many other fine acts like Circus Contraption and Marya Sea Kaminski. I think people liked our portion of the show. There were a few technical mishaps, but we had fun with them, and I think the audience enjoyed that. Most importantly, we got to perform in the Bullitt cabaret at ACT theater, which is where we'll be presenting "The Awesome Cycle" next month. The room has great acoustics and a nice vibe to it. We are going to have to knock out a few walls though, I think, and install a giant steel cage for Kirk's death defying motorcycle drumset.

Primitive scrawlings

Yes, it says "Awesome-o-saurus" and no, I didn't draw it myself.

(thanks to Ida for the photo)