Blog

I've decided to add a blog.

Since I started this website over a year ago, I've always had this extra menu page that I just haven't decided what to do with. I've
thought about using it as a store, but I have nothing to sell. I've also thought about using it as a photo album, but the pictures are already
everywhere. So then I thought about using it to help sell the products of my other interests, such as pearl diving, not really.

I've actually just decided to start keeping track of the comings and goings of my day to day life. I'll probably be posting mostly about
music, since I love it; but I just might keep you informed on the rest of my life as well. I'm not huge into writing, so don't be surprised if
you find some spelling errors, (thanks Madrid schools). I'm an avid reader, so it surprises me that I can be such a poor writer, but hey
that's life.

Right now I'm home with my son, typing well he plays Star Wars Legos on the Wii. It's time to get outside though with the dog. I really
want to mention my trip to Bonnaroo last week, but I'll talk about it next time. For now I'll leave with...

I'm excited to see The Flaming Lips next week...really really excited!!! Not only them, but Andrew Bird, Black Francis, Jakob Dylan,
Drive-By Truckers, the Poison Control Center, Maxilla Blue, the Envy Corps and more...the 80/35 Festival is going to be the greatest
weekend of music in Des Moines, ever.

So we are down to what, 9 days and counting. The 80/35 Festival is going to be so good for Des Moines; I mean this is your chance
to see some of the best bands touring right now, all at the same time. Personally I'm most excited to see Andrew Bird and the Flaming
Lips, even though I've seen them both a number of times. They are among my favorite and certainly won't disappoint.

Here is a video I took of Andrew Bird playing in Ceder Rapids a few years back, it was among many free Andrew Bird shows I've
attended. I have a couple more from the Minnesota Zoo and Grinnell last year, so I might post those at some point as well.

Last night I had a choice, The Wailers inside at People's, or Public Property outside at the Arts Fest. I had my son with me, so we
decided to wait for the rain to end and go see Public Property, one of my favorite local bands. I glad we made the decision we did, for
it was a great night to be in the Capital City. Although I can't help but think about what I missed at People's, the crowd at the Arts
Fest was perfect!! I drank an Old Main brew, and bought my son six dollars worth of blended ice and bananas.

I love this time of year. Last night well I was walking around Gateway Park, I just kept thinking...Next weekend in this very spot will
be Andrew Bird, the Flaming Lips, Jakob Dylan and every one of my favorite local bands. The 80/35 Festival is going to be amazing!!
Plus they have a kids village, so my son will enjoy it too!

Radio Moscow is playing the 80/35 and I can't wait to catch them again, my son is looking forward to it too...

Well, I meant to do some blogging before and maybe during the 80/35 Festival this past weekend, but it just didn't happen, so I'll have
to catch up just a bit now.

First off, I called it the greatest weekend ever for Des Moines music, and of course I was right. My Fourth of July started early, I
headed down to Western Gateway Park hoping to get a glimpse of the Flaming Lips sound check. I was pretty sure that I would see
something cool, I just wasn't sure what. The day before I interviewed Wayne Coyne of the Lips on the phone, and he notified me that
they were going to try and set up around 8 am, so I was down there at 7:30. I suppose before I go too much further I should mention
that the phone interview was the highlight of my short radio career, we talked for a half hour about pretty much everything: Bonnaroo
Sigur Ros, Slipknot, Spongebob, it was great...he even talked w/ my son for a minute!

So the next morning when I awoke, I felt sure I would get to say hi in person. It was pretty cool, I got to stand in the crowd of about
15 people and watch the Lips play "Free Radicals" and a cover of "Song Remains the Same", not only that I was standing next to
Martin Dosh, so that was sweet. What was even sweeter was meeting all the guys from the Lips and talking to Wayne in person for
another 1/2 hour, it was amazing (but it gets better). I got my Yohimi vinyl signed and was off to explore. This led me to the
Teletubbie tent behind the main stage and a wonderful construction worker named Jake. He was in charge of the Teletubbies for the
evening and was more then happy to hook me up with a couple of dancer passes.

All day long I just didn't believe it would happen, I mean, me on stage with the Flaming Lips, yeah right. Well it did happen, and was
one of the greatest evenings of my life!!! My wife and I were the only tubbies on stage to dance through the entire set, it was truly
surreal. Confetti was flying, giant balloons were floating and there we were; a purple and red teletubbie with giant flash lights standing
right next to Michael Ivins...It was AMAZING!!!! I'll right more about my 80/35 experience later...

We got a couple of kittens the other day, that's right a couple. Long story short, I went to pick up one cat and left with two. They are pretty much
the cutest kittens ever. One is all white with an orange tail, and the other is black and has six toes on each of it's front paws, which is pretty funny.
We haven't named them yet, we just can't think of anything good. I suggest Jariann, after the weather lady on 13, but my wife shot it down, she said
the cat just couldn't live up to the firecracker image of Jarianne. I'm sure we'll think of something, for now it's Furry Britches 1 and Furry Britches 2.

I'm pretty pumped for the Capital Backyard BBQ tonight!! Dick Prall and The Envy Corps outside at Simon Estes, it's
going to be hard to find something to beat that this weekend. I wanted to post a couple of things before I head down to
the river to start blowing up beach balls for tonight...

I named our cat's, Hairy Britches and Bonnie Prince Britches. They are both fine and happy; although Hairy had to get a
worm cut out of his neck. It's a long story and a gross one, so I'll leave the details up to your imagination.

I just bought the new My Morning Jacket album on vinyl yesterday at ZZZ Records and it actually came with a cd! I really
like that! This album is definitely a leading canidate for my album of the year on my list.

I'm going to get the new David Sadaris book this weekend, I want to make sure to read it before seeing him at the Civic
Center. If it's as good as his past books, I'll be happy to take a break from my historical fiction streak.

Xavier Rudd has a new album coming out, and I'm pumped!!!!!

That's all for now...

Some more ramblings...

I went to Minnesota this weekend and it was great!! I stayed with my brother and his wife, so it was extra cool. We went and saw the new Star Wars
with my son, went and saw the Handsome Furs at the 7th. St. Entry, and stayed in a cabin on one of the "10,000 Lakes". I would post pictures from the
weekend, but I dropped my camera in the lake, so I can't.

The new Slipknot album comes out in a week, and I'm super excited! I'm also pumped for the new Dylan Bootleg Series Vol. 8. It's going to feature all
music from the past 15 years, which happens to be my favorite Dylan era.

That new Metallica album looks awful, just plain awful. I mean Unforgiven III. If I happen apon free tickets I might go see them at Wells Fargo, but that
show already has two strikes on it, shitty band, giant shitty venue. Give me the Handsome Furs in a shitty bar any day of the week.