Lott O Excitement

Tonight's lottery is for an assload of money. Don't quote me, but I think it's something like $860 billion. I might be mistaking the amount for that new stimulus package, I'm not sure. But I'll tell you one thing: the thought of winning enough money to do whatever the hell I want, certainly stimulates my package. I literally have a giant surplus in my pants just pondering the notion of all that bank!

I thought about posting all the things that I would do if I won millions, but I'm sure it's pretty much what everyone else would do... quit the job, throw a party, take a vacation, buy a monkey, take the monkey on vacation. Instead, I'd like to point out a few reasons why I think I have a real good shot at cashing in on the dream tonight. For instance:

-- A bunch of guys in the office chipped in to buy tickets. According to my research, 40% of all lottery winners are a bunch of office guys. Math, bitches!!

(Interestingly, another 40% of lottery winners live in states that begin in a vowel: Ohio, Indiana, Idaho, etc... A bunch of office guys from Oregon could really f$*k us here.

-- We went quick pick. We let a computer decide our fate. That is such a better strategy than using your kids' birthdays combined with your favorite number or baseball player uniform. Whenever I see someone standing by the ledge of some card store, erasing and toiling over the numbers like it was the SAT, I say to myself, 'no f&*king way are you winning.'

-- The numbers were purchased at a run-down, local card shop. Lady Luck hangs out in those places like a retiree who knows the owner, so he'll just lean on the counter and talk to him all day.

-- God owes me one. I'm sure He knows what I'm talking about.

So, there it is.

Science, bitches!!

This could very well be my last post as a poor person. Will all that money change me? No, I don't think it will. Will it change the people around me? Probably. But they'll never see me again, anyway.

Revisitng The Dave Matthews Band

I used to be a huge Dave Matthews fan...HUGE. I had stickers on my '85 Buick Skyhawk, over ten t-shirts a few posters and one drunk night after an awesome DMB show I was seriously considering a Fire Dancer or Dancing 8 tattoo. Thank f'in god I didn't.

I don't exactly know what happened but it was around the Everyday album that I started drifting away. I've only seen DMB in ampitheatre type of venues and it was routinely awesome. Everyday turned out to be a huge album for them (I was only lukewarm on it) and then they started selling out Giant Stadium. I refuse to see a band in a stadium. It doesn't do it for me. Then I got my hands on The Lillywhite Sessions which I thought was outstanding and argueably my favorite DMB album (despite never officially being released).

When I heard that DMB was doing another studio album I was, again, excited. I don't know if I just wasn't as internet saavy as I am now or what but I didn't realize that Busted Stuff was just going to be re-recordings of the Lillywhite Sessions (which I didn't like half as much) with two new songs on it. I was disillusioned and little by little DMB started disappearing from my rotation.

This past week I stumbled across Two Step and Jimi Thing on the radio and really enjoyed it. It was time to go back. The Cove is rocking an all DMB playlist these past two days and I've got to say...I'm enjoying it.

Hendrix

As Axis: Bold as Love spins in the Cove 2.0, I think back to my formative years as a Jimi Hendrix disciple. I remember hanging the posters on my bedroom walls, listening to Electric Ladyland on vinyl as I pored over liner notes and raking the neighbor's yard cranking his Smash Hits through my boom box. Putting aside his well-deserved mantle as the greatest rock guitarist that ever lived, Hendrix brought this mixture of mysticism, sexuality and bad-assery that made him seem more like a Greek myth than an actual human being. He was like rock's version of a superhero: mysterious and powerful, possessing abilities never before seen. He wore costumes, had a murky past and probably even saved a few lives.

And, apparently, his Kryptonite was in sleeping pill form.

Even though he's known more for harnessing fury in a re-strung Fender, I think his greatest recorded achievement is Little Wing. It's just a beautiful song, plain and simple. It's also one of those songs that leave you wanting more... like you wish there was just one more verse before it fades out. The only other song that comes to mind that is like that is The Smiths' Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want (the title is only slightly shorter than the song).

I think the Cove 2.0 should invest in a Hendrix poster. It would give us instant cred.

The Cove is Back!!!

441 long days ago we had to move out of the office that was Southpaw Cove.

Today...it's back.

The office is in a different location but it's the same CD rack, same printer, same monitor and same awesomeness.

Favorite Three-Letter Words

din
ply
vie
mar
lay
bog
sop
ale
cog
yes

My Biggest Regret

OK it's not my biggest regret, but one of the biggest regrets I have in my life thus far is that I didn't live in New York City for any period of time. Living on Long Island my entire life I've been there hundreds of times but I generally keep to Madison Square Garden, my 5 or so favorite city bars and concert venues. I don't think I've ever actually gone in just with the agenda to explore and just get to know it. So I'm considering it a New Year's Resolution to make a few extra trips to the city this year with absolutely no agenda other than walking around and checking stuff out.

My Morning Jacket - Madison Square Garden - New York City - 12/31/08

New Year's Eve is usually the most overrated holiday of the year. People stress out about trying to do something "extra special" but the payoff is rarely worth it. I finally had one that lived up to the hype.

It's no secret to anyone who knows me that I've liked this band for a few years, but 2008 became the year I became borderline infatuated with them. My fiance can attest to me probably making more "Devil's Three-Way" jokes (involving me, her and Jim James) than is comfortable.

I'm not going to spend a ton of time on the concert itself because I'm almost positive that these guys are incapable of putting on a bad show and since it'll probably read alot like the one from September, so I'll just mention a few highlights:

-HORN SECTION!!!

-I'm not a huge covers guy but the Marvin Gaye song with Nicole Atkins was really good.

-I feel very fortunate that I've seen MMJ twice and both times I got Phone West West and Cobra. The first time I saw them they played Cobra and I honestly had never heard it before. I was more prepared this time around and it is a great song to hear live.

-Get Down On It cover. It's my 2nd favorite disco song so I got a kick out of hearing it covered.

-The countdown, confetti and balloons. It just looked cool.

-You'd be hard pressed to find a better closer than One Big Holiday.

Biggest regret of the night was not picking up a concert poster. Limited production and now going for a few hundred on eBay. That's not even mentioning that it's just a sweet poster.

Setlist (from the MMJ Website)

1. Move On Up (Curtis Mayfield)

2. Evil Urges

3. Off The Record

4. Gideon

5. The Way That He Sings

6. Thank You Too!

7. I'm Amazed

8. Golden

9. Librarian

10. You're All I Need (Marvin Gaye)

11. Express Yourself (Charles Wright)

12. What A Wonderful Man

13. Lay Low

14. Phone Went West

15. Look At You

16. Dondante

17. Smoking From Shootin

18. Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt.2

19. Run Thru

20. The Wanderer (Dion)

21. Dancefloors

22. Magheetah

New Years!!!

23. Celebration (Kool & The Gang)

24. Get Down On It (Kool & The Gang)

25. Wordless Chorus

26. Highly Suspicious

27. Cobra

28. Islands In The Stream (Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers)

29. Bring It On Home To Me (Sam Cooke)

30. Cold Sweat (James Brown)

31. Anytime
32. One Big Holiday
33. Auld Lang Syne

Special Guests:

NYE Horns (2, 3, 11, 12, 20, 21, 23, 24, 28 , 29, 30)

Will Johnson (8)

Nicole Atkins (10, 28)

BEST...NEW YEARS...EVER

Just got home from the My Morning Jacket at the Garden. Awesome setlist which will be coming soon along with some more detail about my experience.

I always fancied New Years as a "couples holiday" so kudos to my fiance who gave me this one. To see what is most likely my favorite live band, on New Years and in the Worlds Most Famous Arena was as good as it's ever been on a December 31st.

Happy New Year

Top 10 Albums of the Year

Here is my Top 10 Albums of the Year. The list could probably change in a few weeks since I'm leaving off a few good albums that I'm uncomfortable putting on a Top 10 with only one or two listens under my belt.

10. Ben Folds - Way to Normal
9. Jack Johnson - Sleeping Through The Static
With Ben Folds and Jack Johnson you pretty much know what you're going to get and I find that comforting.
8. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
Seeing "Kids" performed live was one of the highlights of my summer. I liked the first two singles off the album and was pleasantly surprised it turned out to be a pretty solid album throughout.
7. Mates of State - Re-Arrange Us
If I was doing a list of Top 10 singles of '08, "Get Better" would be jockeying for a top spot. I'm a sucker for male and female harmonies.
6. Gary Louris - Vagabonds
I loved The Jayhawks and for awhile I was on Team Mark Olsen, but within the last few years I've jumped ship. This is a solid album with some great guests. Don't be surprised to see the Mark Olsen/Gary Louris collaboration on my Best of '09 list next year.
5. Okkervil River - The Stand Ins
Unfortunately this album would have been a top 3 for me but I'm too easily swayed by how a band is live. And if you read our comments on the Okkervil River show this year you know I was disappointed. Maybe they'll just have to be a really good studio band for me...like my Steely Dan perhaps.
4. She & Him - Volume 1
I'm very much looking forward to Volume 2. It was exciting to learn that her voice carries over live too. It gives me the same kind of feeling as the Matthew Sweet and Suzanna Hoffs : Under the Covers Volume 1 gave me...which was good.
3. My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
I feel like I pork MMJ enough on this blog so go back and read it if you really need to know how I feel about this album.
2. The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
Getting to see them twice on their Stay Positive tour helped out this ranking alot. Not to say that it wouldn't have been top 5 but I listen to this album and it brings back great memories. Constructive Summer might be one of those songs I play on a loop every Memorial Day for the rest of my life.
1. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
Crazy harmonizing. I actually got into the game really late with this album. But since I got it a few months ago I haven't been able to go more than two consecutive days without listening to it. I'm looking to putting it on during a heavy snowstorm while drinking some sort of seasonal winter lager.

I'll drop some honorable mentions in there too:
-Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
Would have easily been in there if the year ended in September. Enjoyable album except for the Blake's Got a New Face song which is my least favorite songs of the year. They started to wear on me a tad so they fell a little.
-Weezer - Red Album
If for no other reason that every time I hear Weezer it brings me back to some happy teenage places. Average album compared to the Blue Album and Pinkerton but still enjoyable. "Greatest Man Who Ever Lived" would probably have a spot on my Top 20 song countdown.

My apologies to:
Deerhunter, Matt Costa, Death Cab for Cutie, Jenny Lewis, Bon Iver, Neil Diamond, Aimee Mann, Calexico and Blitzen Trapper. For one reason or another I didn't spend enough time with your 2008 release or just haven't gotten it yet.

1. The Shield - Possible Kill Screen - Original Air date: 11/18/08

This is another penultimate episode of a series. The series finale of The Shield could have easily had my top spot as it was one of (if not the best) series finales ever. But the reason I chose "Possible Kill Screen" instead was because it had the best scene in television this year. When Vic Mackey sits in front of that microphone about to confess all of his sins I actually almost had to pause it to compose myself. Then to actually hear him say it all (and who was around to hear it) was as intense as fiction can get. It was honestly the only non-sports related thing I've ever watched on television that I couldn't sleep afterwards.

**Bonus note** -- The Shield gets kudos from me for having an episode title so fitting to the plot and also a great pop-culture reference. "Possible Kill Screen" is reference to King of Kong which is one of my favorite documentaries.

2. The Wire - Late Editions - Original Air date: 3/2/08

Series finales usually show where characters are going to end up after the show finishes, but penultimate episodes is where the s**t goes down. So with The Wire being one of the best shows ever to on television, it was no surprise that they ended perfectly. Seeing the final actions that lead all the characters down their future paths is both heartbreaking and satisfying.

3. Lost - The Constant - Original Air date: 2/28/08

As I mentioned earlier, when I watch a serial based drama, I like my payoffs. I've always watched Lost and was going to watch it til the end regardless of it's quality. I've invested too much time not to see how it ends. Lost spent a good season and half not telling us anything and actually went from must-see on Wednesday night to something I could watch on DVR the next day. This past season though got back to what was great about Lost and this episode was the "gamechanger" for me. Not only was it based around my favorite character (Desmond), it was just a complete mind "F" of a concept. Somehow they fit a crazy time jumping adventure and an epic love story into 44 minutes and it didn't even seem rushed. I still haven't deleted it from my DVR yet.

4. 30 Rock - Subway Hero - Original Air date: 4/17/08

David Puddy (Seinfeld) was probably my favorite recurring character on a television show ever. I don't know if he's passed him yet, but Dean Winters' ("Beeper King" and Exonerated Sex Predator) Dennis Duffy on 30 Rock is gaining on him fast. Out of his five appearences so far, Subway Hero was his best episode. He saves someone's life in a subway station and becomes a local hero. Everything out his mouth has been quoted by me and my friends a couple of hundred times since it aired. And the "B" story about Jack trying to pull Tracy over to the Republican Party was good for some laughs too.

"I knew that girl was eighteen. She told me her last boyfriend was Asian, and that crap doesn't start until college." --Dennis Duffy

A Best of 2008 List - Television Edition

What fun is having a blog if you can't force your end of the year lists upon people. My first crack at it is going to be my Top 5 Best Episodes of Television in 2008. I'll try to do at least one a day for the next week.

5. Mad Men - The Jet Set - Original Air date: 10/12/08
When I'm watching a serial based drama I usually like my payoffs early and often. Mad Men does not do this. The whole series is a slow burn. But it does it in a way where, not only I'm I not annoyed, but I don't even care if they tell me anything new. For the first time in Mad Men we leave the East Coast and see Don Draper make some uncharacteristic decisions. We know that he's unfaithful and he lies so it's not a leap of faith to believe he would have a dalliance with someone in California, but to blindly follow a woman and blow off work responsibilities in the process was actually as exciting you can get on Mad Men.

The Shield Finale

The end is near! I've got about seven hours to kill before paying witness to the close of one of the greatest television series of all-time. And if the last three episodes are any indication, this could go down as one of the most satisfying endings EVER. A couple seasons back, I almost wrote off the show when they killed off Lem. To me, he was the only sympathetic character and after he died, there was nobody else to care about.

Well, I was wrong. I care about where they all wind up. Will Mackey's deal fall through? Will Ronnie exact revenge before being cuffed? Will Shane end his family's misery by his own hand? Will Claudette completely snap? Will Dutch get taken down by a budding serial killer? Will Julien remember that he's gay?

The greatness of this show is that I really don't know how it's all going to shake out, but whatever the outcome, it will make perfect sense. There will be no last-second reversals, no out-of-character moments. Their arcs are galvanized; their actions will follow suit.

The build-up to tonight's show got me thinking of the finales of some of my other favorite series. Most of them ranged from disappointing (Seinfeld, The Sopranoes, Twin Peaks, St. Elsewhere) to somewhat satisfying (Arrested Development, The Wire, Oz). I can't recall one that was great.

I guess the perfect finale is impossible, especially when you are so invested in the show and its characters. First, you don't want it to end. Second, endings are hard to nail. Third, everyone has their own vision of how they think it should play out.

Tonight, I plan to pour myself a healthy glass of wine, kick back, and let the tension of the last seven seasons finally unravel.

It better not suck.

Getting Inside Hymn -- Reckoner

Reckoner
by Radiohead

Reckoner

You can't take it with you

Dancing for your pleasure

You are not to blame for

Bittersweet distractor

Dare not speak its name

Dedicated to all you all human beings
Because we separate like ripples on a blank shore (in rainbows)

Because we separate like ripples on a blank shore (in rainbows)
Reckoner

Take me with you

Dedicated to all you all human beings

Huh??

I'm not even going to pretend that I know what these lyrics are about. I can take a stab at what the lyrics are supposed to elicit: detachment, yearning and loss. Then again, that description can sum up the entire Radiohead catalog.

Before getting into the song, I think I should first give my take on Radiohead as a band. My history with them dates back to about 1995, when The Bends came out. The ensuing love affair can be explained in three words: Fake. Plastic. Trees. Upon hearing Thom Yorke's beautiful, powerfully vulnerable voice on that track, I was hooked. The entire album, in my opinion, is near perfect. The sound was a haunting mix of lavish layers and grinding rawness. It was the church and the sump behind it. This contrast connected with me to the degree that The Bends became a defining album in my musical life.

Their follow-up, 1998's OK Computer, took my appreciation to a new level. Even more isolated and ambitious than The Bends, OK Computer pretty much blew me away. As a whole, the album isn't as consistent as its predecessor, but the highs are unparalelled. Songs like Paranoid Android, Let Down, Karma Police and No Surprises play down in an endless loop in the part of my brain that I like to occasionally visit (but wish I could live in). So, it's fair to say that Radiohead became a very important band to me.

Yet, I haven't bought a Radiohead album since.

It's part of my emotional makeup to try to preserve what I hold most dear. To me, once something reaches that exalted level, there's no place left to go but down. For the same reason, I haven't seen a Wes Anderson movie since The Royal Tannenbaums. Or been to a strip club since a marathon lap dance from a Russian named Svetlana (though that was probably just her stripper name).

So, I'm a huge Radiohead fan that chooses to idolize them from a safe distance. And that's not to say that I avoid their post-OK Computer stuff. I just don't actively seek it out. They've created some really good music in the last ten years, with a few songs that rival some of their best. But that self-preservation mechanism inside me refused to let the music all the way through.

That was until I heard Reckoner.

From the crashing cymbals to the haunting bassline to the ethereal falsetto of Yorke's voice, Reckoner encapsulates what makes Radiohead great to me: a juxtaposition of joy and sadness, celebration and lament. You want to dance and hide beneath the covers at the same time. The lyrics, usually a key component to a great song, are inconsequential. It's more of a soundscape than a song. The sonic layers are transe-inducing, allowing it to seep in without your knowledge.

The best way to experience this song is at full blast through your headphones. And again to Radiohead's rare abilities, you can listen to it in any given setting and get your desired outcome. As a workout song, it kicks ass. As a wind down song, it soothes you. As a background song, it provokes thought. If songs were relationships, Reckoner could be like your best friend.

In actuality, Reckoner reunited me with a close friend that I lost touch with for ten years. It's nice to reconnect, even if only for a few minutes.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go out and rent The Life Aquatic on the way to the strip club.

The Hold Steady - Terminal 5 - New York City - 11/7/08

I know this is over a week old and The Hold Steady are probably in Boise, Idaho by now (that's exactly where they are...I looked it up.) but it's better late than never.

Terminal 5 twice in a three day span. After The Decemberists show I was really wishing The Hold Steady were playing in a different venue. I'm not going to try to compare The Decemberists to The Hold Steady. Two completely different kind of shows. People at Decemberists shows cry when Colin Meloy breaks into a soft Fleetwood Mac cover (I saw pictures). People at a Hold Steady show jump up and down for the entire show singing along with the band.

Troufazz was along for this one. Lucky for me I was at Terminal 5 two days earlier so at least we had an example of "where not to stand" for this one. We didn't get there in time for The Drive By Truckers opting to achieve the perfect concert buzz at a different drinking establishment. I didn't have much of an interest either.

When we got to the venue we went on the complete opposite side from where I was the last time and kind of snuck right in front of a guy who was easily 7 feet tall...easily. We got to press our way pretty close to the stage without blocking anyone's view which is nice considering they probably waited through the whole Drive By Trucker set to get a good spot for The Hold Steady.

As far as the show goes, The Hold Steady are one of the best live bands touring today. There is no dull moments in the set. Even when they do play one of their ballads, they are good, and the next song brings the level right back up. Out of all the people in the place having a good time, it was easy to see who was having the most fun...Craig Finn. There is absolutely nothing choreographed about his performance. What ever herky-jerky movements he's doing on stage is just exactly what he's feeling at that moment. It's awesome to watch.

If I had to pick some highlights they would be Arms and Hearts followed right after by Massive Nights. Your Little Hoodrat Friend is always fun and How A Resurrection Really Feels was a good closer.

The Decemberists - Terminal 5 - New York City - 11/5/08

I'm not a huge Decemberists fan. I only own two of their albums and still haven't decided where I land on them. I do know that the songs I like, I really like, but sometimes it's tough to get through a whole album without skipping a little.

It was my first time at Terminal 5 and off the bat it was not one of my favorite venues. It was pretty crowded by the time we got in. We settled in a little off to the side underneath a big overhang which is underneath the balcony. It was a decent enough vantage point to see the stage but the sound was terrible from there.

From what I've heard before going in was that The Decemberists are pretty chatty on stage. Especially when it comes to politics. Being that it was the day after the election, I was afraid they would be over chatty about it. My fears were confirmed as soon as the Barack Obama lifesize cardboard cutout was brought on stage. Now The Decemberists and I our on the same side when it comes to politics but that's not what I go to concerts for. I don't want to be chanting "Yes We Can" while helping a crowd surfing cardboard Obama around Terminal 5 between every song.

All that being said, a Decemberists concert for me is the same as an album. Valerie Plame, The Engine Driver, We Both Go Down Together, O Valencia, 16 Military Wives, The Mariner's Revenge Song and Sons and Daughters were all really good but there were obvious breaks in the set for me to go get a beer without missing anything...like The Perfect Crime #2. That song sucks.

River Runs Dry

As part of my twelve-step blog rehabilitation, I attended Tuesday night's Okerrvil River show at Webster Hall, thinking that a concert review is the blog version of a simple three-chord progression: it's comfortable to do and often leads to inspiration. Plus, the Slice had been somewhat prolific in his concert reviews over the last few months -- replete with personal photos taken alongside band members -- that I feel I had to show that I, too, can leave my home and attend a public gathering.

The fact that Slice was with me is of no relevance. He can pad his stats all he wants.

So, the last (and only) time I was at Webster Hall for a concert was to catch the New Pornographers during their Challengers tour, and the experience was a great one.

The fact that Slice was with me at NP is again neither here nor there (first time I ever used that phrase... did I use it correctly?).

The NP show was a great all-around experience. Perfect amount of 'train sodas' on the way in, perfect pre-game venue in Hi-Fi (home of the world's greatest juke box) and perfect buzz heading into Webster Hall. So, the stage was set for a very enjoyable concert experience. And NP delivered, playing a high-energy, kickass set list. The crowd was all-in, vibing off the connection between artists and their fans. You could sense a mutual appreciation between them and us.

Walking out of that show, I had nothing but praise for the show and the venue. Maybe my only knock was AC Newman's ill-advised shirt fabric that concealed no physical secrets in front of the harsh stage lights. He may want to do a few push-ups in between writing perfectly crafted pop songs is all I'm saying.

So, admittedly, the bar was set pretty high going into the OR show.

The night began much like the aforementioned... we had some premium brews on the ride in (Sam Adams Octoberfest) and made our way from Penn to HiFi. A slight miscalculation in subway usage set off a sries of unfortunate events, which entailed a good amount of aimless walking, a forced Burger King purchase in order to use the restroom and a cab-driver miscommunication that culminated in a tour of the island of Manhattan. When we arrived at the bar, the effects of some tasty train beers were all but negated.

But we were not defeated. If anything, our mishaps were looked at as a sign of divine intervention, in that both of us were trying to limit our evening's intake. A few pints and choice jukebox selections righted the ship. We headed to Webster Hall in full-concert mode.

When we got there, the second act, Crooked Fingers, was in the midst of their set. After ordering one of only two agreed upon beers, the Slice and I headed to a pocket on the floor, stage left. We settled just behind a blinding spotlight that may or may not have actually been a Lasik surgery laser. After my vision returned, I was instantly enamored by the band's female singer/bassist/rhythm guitarist/violinist. She was blond, talented, approachably hot and the owner of an adorable paunch that was beautifully accentuated by her choice of shirt (take note AC Newman). We dothed her 'Stevie Ray Paunch.' She was great. The band was good. All in all, a great way to get into concert mode.

After their set and and a 30 minute break, Okerrvil River took to the stage.

First off, I'll admit that I'm not a huge OR fan. I've been getting into their catalog over the last few weeks and I really liked what I heard. And many of those same songs that were played that night sounded just like what I heard. But, I just couldn't get into it. The band's stage presence didn't help.

There is no denying that lead singer Will Sheff is very talented. He writes and performs on a level that is enviable. However, he also seems like a bit of a douche. He may be the greatest guy ever, but the douche vibe was present on this night. Was it the hipster-esque, unkempt hair? Possibly. Was it the almost choreographed 'spontaneous' gyrations he went into when he was 'feeling it?' Maybe. But I think the biggest reason I didn't connect was that he conceded that he wasn't into banter and told us that he 'had nothing cool to say.'

I'm ok if a band doesn't want to directly address their audience, but I take issue with someone when they tell me that is what they're going to do.

It's douche-y.

Just play if you want to play. Don't reference anti-banter because doing so is, in fact, banter. Tortured, too-cool-to-be-bothered, banter. And I hate that.

I stayed to hear "Our Life Is Not a Movie or Maybe," because it rocks, and then I walked out. Not as a protest. I was hot, a little tired and saw enough.

Still, I'm glad I went. I love concerts. I love the city. I love well stocked juke boxes.

And I love Stevie Ray Paunch.

Eavesdropping on an IM Chat

(My Morning Jacket is playing and can be heard through the wall)

Troufazz: I can hear it!

vanDERslice: Mine?

Troufazz: yeah. sounds sweet.

vanDERslice: It's awesome. If there was a MMJ concert every weekend, I would go.

Troufazz: You'd att an MMJ con ev week?

vanDERslice: If it was local? At least every other week. It affected me in a very bizarre way.
I'm still figuring out how to put it in words so I can blog about it

Troufazz: Is it like being converted to a religion.

Troufazz: A spiritual (re-)awakening?

vanDERslice: Actually knowing at that moment that you're probably seeing the best live band
you might ever see was weird. I always thought it would be something I would come to in retrospect.

Troufazz: Nice. If I were a blogger (which I was before my license was revoked), I would liken it to a rare experience when you can experience a shift in real time... like knowing the moment you fall in love during the actual moment it happens.

Troufazz: would that be epiphanous?

vanDERslice: Exactly.