the B

I only like comments from people I like, that means if you're trying to get my to buy something I won't pay attention

2005-12-16T10:01:00.000-05:00

Well, it's been awhile friends. Finals are over now and I'm finally able to slow down a little bit. After getting back from our PDX Thanksgiving trip I had to bust ass to get everything done. And now, yes, it's time to go back to PDX! We get in on the 21st, and are there until January 2nd. Some news of note: while we're there I will be playing with Tractor Operator at the Towne Lounge on the 29th. Ferocious Eagle is also on the bill...I'm psyched to finally see 'em. On the 30th I'll be playing a little bit with Dan Jones and the Squids (Eugene) at Sam Bonds Garage. We'll be down in Eugene all day...see you at Roma.

Not too much else news, except that now I have to get ready for my first Doctoral recital here at IU, I've got 3 months! I hoping it will be in late March.

Happy Everything!

Saturday

2005-10-23T12:39:00.000-05:00

Sitting at the Encore cafe. A nice place to be to do homework, drink coffee, try to keep yourself from buying a piece of carrott cake. It was so nice today to wake on a Saturday and not have to drive to Mooresville for marching band. Kelley and I got to enjoy a somewhat leisurely morning...good for the soul.

Davin brought me some new music last night. The other Neutral Milk Hotel record, something about Avery Island?, which I've listened to a little bit whilst doing other things and I think I'll enjoy when I can pay it more attention. He also brought me a Olivia Tremor Control record. Maybe it will take some getting used to, I'm not immediately drawn to it. 90's music which says "we love Brian Wilson." I'll give it a chance, don't worry.

We have 4 carved pumkins sitting on our porch. A neighborhood cat hissed at me. It gets dark here so early now.

I have to get home so the wife and I can watch Donnie Darko.

Also on a big 'ol Bob Dylan kick right now wich can be attributed to my Mother sending us the companion cd's to No Direction Home. How did she know? No really, she had no idea that Kelley and I enjoy some Bob Dylan. She trusted the word of a record store clerk.
Careful Mom, they aren't always to be trusted.

Can you believe it's almost basketball time?

And I'm out.

Neutral Milk Hotel

2005-10-13T13:12:00.000-05:00

How is that you can hear a band once, not really have much of a reaction, and then hear it again two years later and have hit you like a ton of bricks? Dan burned In the Aeroplane of the Sea for me a few years ago. Didn't think much of it at the time. It's pretty heavy in the rotation right now. In fact I might go as far as to say that I really like this record, and it's distracting me from doing my homework. If anyone knows if the Neutral Milk Hotel have any other reccomendable ep's or anything do let me know...and what about the Olivia Tremor Control? I guess thats the band that this guy used to be in?

Christopher Walken is funny

2005-10-10T23:31:00.000-05:00

So sometimes concert reviews can be really bland, but we're going to attempt to give y'all a spicy one.

Built to Spill 10/7/05

The vogue (where they played) is a club in Indianapolis. It's a decent size, but not too big. It was definitely one of the more intimate settings I've seen BTS in. I'm just gonna say up front that it was a decent concert. Nothing spectacular, which is going to surprise some of you...since I've been known to kiss the ground Doug walks on.

Ian, the sound guy they usually take on tour with them was there, but didn't quite seem to get the fact that Brett Netson had his guitar turned up WAY too loud. Doug's guitar was almost in-audible. So the sound could have been better. The beers could have been cheaper. hoooo! But the set was good, they didn't seem too road weary. I think I was one of the few people who fully enjoyed the new reggae song. The George Harrison cover wasn't as good as I had hoped, but all of the stuff off of Keep it like a secret was super tight. The crowd was well behaved, almost too much so. They threw up a half sarcastic show of hands when the John Mellencamp line came in "you were right." Hoosiers.

and can I just say that I'm all about early concerts. The show started at 7! We were home, after a 1 hour drive, before midnight. Enough time to eat sweet flavored popcorn (which I'm not all about) and drink a less expensive beer.

jumbled thoughts

2005-09-26T23:21:00.000-05:00

We just started a free trial of Netflix. I'm completely enamoured. Its like going to the video store and having the video you're looking for always there. WOW! If you rate movies then netflix reccomends movies to you bases on what it thinks your tastes are. Crazy. What else, how about new music:

the Sea and Cake, the fawn, and One Bedroom, both of them good. I want to expose myself to more rock music that includes electronics, not that the sea and cake epitomize this, but its the kind of think I'm looking for.

Also got the Brian Jonestown Massacre's Methodrone, which I like to a point. Some of the singing kinda bugs me, but overall I enjoy it.

Oh, and did I mention fucking Tractor Operator is coming to town! Holy crap. We're gonna be rolling out the red carpet good and proper let me tell you.

Just finished a big paper for my music education class. We taped the Martin Scorsese film about Bob Dylan that was PBS tonight, I look forward to watching that. Kelley says that the people didn't like Dylan playing with a band. It reminds me of the first time I went to see Elliott Smith and he was with a band, and how dissapointed that made me at first. My favorite Elliott Smith shows were way back when he would mostly do solo shows.

2005-09-20T23:38:00.000-05:00

Well whats interesting? Spent my second Saturday in a row this past week at a high school marching band competition. I know my days are numbered for teaching marching band. If I am offered an AI (Assitant Instructor/Tuition Paid!) next year I won't be able to teach at Mooresville AND teach at IU. I'll miss it. I'll miss the kids, the vibe of the whole thing its taken its toal on me though. With me school schedule being what it is, it gets harder to drive up to Mooresville (45 min.) at all to teach. I'll enjoy re-living my high school days for the rest of the season.
Kelley and I are pretty bummed that the Brian Jonestown Massacre cancelled their show in INdy. I was looking forward to seeing them, especially Collin.

the fruit bats

2005-09-12T22:40:00.000-05:00

So it was a relatively un-productive weekend. I spent most of Saturday at a marching band competition. I get paid for this, but come on there are better things to do with a Saturday. Sunday I auditioned for the sublist of the Lafayette Symphony, which I was added to. I was already on it, but I guess each year they re-audition for the purpose of re-ranking all of the potential folks they could call. So yes. We got our Thanksgiving plane tickets in the mail today! shhhh, I'm supposed to be reading right now.

I have so much reading for my music ed. class, I was supposed to read a couple hundred pages for this week. I'm getting good at skimming for the important material.

Mari, if you're reading this, I'm glad you saw Dig but Courtney Taylor (I refuse to repeat his last name a second time) still annoys the poop out of me. ESPECIALLY the blue undies.

Kelley and I saw the Aristocrats on Friday. It was pretty funny for a documentary.

Everyone go and do something for yourselves today. Buy yourself a fany coffee drink or something.

vente

2005-09-06T11:50:00.000-05:00

I took my two auditions last week. Both of them turned out to be not good enough for me to be offered a job. All of my musical energy this past summer was put into preparing for these auditions. I felt confident. But at the same time I've always felt insecure taking auditions. I'm confident with what I can do, but I worry about delivering at just the right time. To make matters worse I've had lingering problems with my wrists ever since 2001. They're better than they used to be and I'm obviously still able to play a good amount being that I'm still in school, but it limits what I can do when I'm trying to kick ass at an audition.

One of the people who beat me is a 20 year old. I have to tell myself that being a doctoral student doesn't mean shit at an audition. These things are graded on a big f'n curve, they only want one person for the job, if the judges think that Joe-20-year old plays better than me then there's not much I can do. It makes me feel like an in-adequate 27 year old. I just need some sulking time, I'll be better in a few days.

In other news, I had my first music education class today and whoa, I'm in over my head a little bit here. So much reading!

thanksgiving?

2005-09-01T10:47:00.000-05:00

So school has begun this week. It's crazy, my schedule is SLOWLY starting to fall in to place. Except that there are some major double bookings going on, it won't really start to get figured out until next week. But I'm realy happy to be back again. I know I'm a big dork. But I need having structure to my days, I have a really hard time when I have to plan out my schedule (not really having anywhere I HAVE to be).

I'm studying with a new teacher this semester, Jerry Carlyss. He was the timpanist with the Philadelphia Orchestra for 30 some years, AMAZING! I'm so fortunate to be studying with him.

It may be a little early to be saying this, but Kelley and I are trying to find some cheap tickets to come home for Thanksgiving. You gots to get on that early right?

More on that later. Still waiting for our wedding pix...

It's late August in Indiana

2005-08-24T23:22:00.000-05:00

Current things that are beautiful:

-It's not as humid now as it has been this past month

-My wife

- Pat Robertson, who would like to assinate the president of Venezuela (not very 700 club of you), being put in his place.

-Oh if only Pat Robertson also had a lesbian daughter (see Dick Cheney)

-Dick Cheney's daughter is a lesbian. This is beautiful because, well, imagine how he must have reacted to that.

-The Secret Machine's "the road leads where its' lead," particularly the cover of "Money (that's what I want)" it's not what you expect

-Interpol, "Antics." I got into this band later than everyone else.

-Oh, I'm just being told that Pat Robertson is apologizing on the news now so I guess he's off the hook.

All of the kids are coming back to Bloomington now. The summer time is over. The "downtown" is jammed! Still practicing for my auditions. I've got the Columbus Philharmonic on Tuesday, and Evansville next Friday.

2005-08-22T22:47:00.000-05:00

July 16

at a loss for words, but here are a few

2005-08-16T12:03:00.000-05:00

We lost our friend Ryan Sumner this week. The out pouring of love and emotion on his myspace page alone is a testament to how great of a guy he was, and will be remembered for. He was one of the most supportive people I have ever met, showing up at every show, and always having some kind of compliment for you. For awhile we shared a band. There may of been some awkward-ness between him and I for a brief period after my band broke up and his continued on, but this was short lived, I went on to relate to him on many levels and we had a mutual respect for each other as drummers, and also as people. If anything I wish I could have known him better.

My thoughts go out to my friends in Portland today who are in mourning over his loss, I love you guys.

2005-08-14T23:44:00.000-05:00

Battle Creek, MI, looking Orchestral

2005-08-13T20:09:00.000-05:00

Boise, ID

We're Here!

2005-08-11T12:49:00.000-05:00

FINALLY got finished moving in to the new house and cleaning the old one. Our lives are a clutter of boxes right now but it feels good to be starting to get settled. We don't have AC which I thought would be the worst thing ever (and it does get a little uncomfortable at night) but the house is big enough, and sheltered by trees just enough that it isn't too bad right now.
It's pretty wierd adjusting your life to be 100% in line with another human being. Consolidating bank accounts, etc.
But we're loving it so far.

Finally saw the movie DIG. Man, what a crazy dude. Look for a slew of more new pics (maybe a few weddin ones) once we get the internet up and running at our house.
Our best to ya all

The quest part 1

2005-07-30T23:54:00.000-05:00

A lot has happened since my last post. I'm a married man now! My lovely wife is here next to me at our Econo Lodge in Boise, ID. We've reached the end of the first day of our four day drive back to Bloomington, IN. I'm going home, Kelley's going to a new home. If any of you happen to roll through Boise and feel like dining at Joe's Crab Schack, DON'T. So we went to the beach for a few days after the wedding. Relaxin.

Tomorrow we'll be driving to Cheyenne, WY. Hopefully we'll be treated to some more wi-fi upon our arrival.

I'll try to post some pictures when we get to Bloomington.

2005-07-13T13:20:00.001-05:00

Yes the times are a changing. The wedding count down is down to 3 days! Holy crap. The last week has been a blur of planning/typing/phone calling/and general anxiety. We can't wait to see everyone but as one would expect we're getting rather antsy. Since I've been back in Oregon I've spent a week in Eugene teaching a drum camp to Jr. High kids, some of whom were greatful for the experience. I slept in the garage of Senior Testface. I played a wicked fun show with Dan Jones and an unlikely cast of Squids, including an absolutely epic cover of "Cortez the Killer" complete with Patrick from the Deke Falcon sitting in. Oh my gosh. A cyberspace thank you to Raeni (sorry I don't know how to spell your name?) for the kind words.

Kelley had a rather unusual week last week of bumps and bruises. One two-day-root-canal, one first degree burn, and...well that's all, but for a bride to be that's just about enough. So what with all of the running around to the dentist office, a lot of time was consumed.

Getting wedding presents rules!

I think that we're going to take a time out from the general chaos tonight and go see our friends Chevron play at Berbatis which should provide us with a nice opportunity to forget our troubles whilst we ponder how it was Brian Mumford could have broken both his arms at the same time?

last transmission

2005-06-22T01:02:00.000-05:00

Flying in on Frontier...feel a little wierd about that but don't know why? I'll be in Portland soon. There will be no blogging until then. I does it feel like I can't stop packing?

never a dull moment

2005-06-17T15:50:00.000-05:00

I'll be getting in to PDX one week from yesterday, and the wedding is one month from yesterday. Time moves at a crazy pace. Preperations for the wedding are going smoothly enough I suppose. Oh what to wear, what to wear? The bachelor party is going to be on two seperate nights, mostly due to people being busy but also being due to being able to have the bachelor party on two seperate nights, parties that I have affectionately dubbed: round 1, and round 2.

On to news: The OFAM camp which had continued to be up in the air as to whether it was going to happen, is definitely going to happen. This was a huge relief. We really need that money and I love having an excuse to hang out in Eugene for a week. Speaking of which, I will be playing drums with Dan Jones and The Squids at Sam Bonds Garage on July 2nd can't f'n wait.

Other than that I'm packing, practicing, teaching at the high school, watching movies...most recently Cocaine Cowboys with Jack Palance and Andy Warhol.

Can't wait to get the f out of here.

oh and the Helio Sequence show was a lot fun. I felt bad that no one was there, but it's Bloomington, Indiana.

I'm just a boy with a new hair cut

2005-06-08T22:49:00.000-05:00

and that's a pretty nice hair cut. Etc.

Because I want the hair to be at a medium type length for the wedding I decided to cut it now and see how shaggy it is come July. Interesting huh?

It's lonely here now. With some people out of town, not to mention having spent two weeks with my girl and my friends in Oregon it seems pretty slow around here. I've been practicing a good amount, but still have a good amount of time to fill. Not that I don't have enough stuff to fill it with! There's the continuous wedding plans, planning a drum camp in Eugene, planning for high school marching band rehearsals...AND packing!

I finally discovered the hip video store in town. This has given me something to fill my time with. I watched a movie on the Manson family which was pretty vivid as you might expect, totally gross, but I couldn't stop watching.

Last night I watched the new movie on the Flaming Lips, 'Fearless Freaks.' It turns out that Wayne Coyne (Mr. Flaming Lips) just happened to live next to an art student/filmmaker in the early eighties who also turned out to be the man behind this particular movie. He's got footage from WAY back. It's amazing how much stuff this guy must have had to sift through.
If you're at all a fan of this band, I loved this movie.
Even though it was sad I found it particularly powerful during a segment where Steven Drozd was filmed as he was doing heroin and speaking very candidly about his five year addiction to the drug.

Steven Drozd was the one of the pioneers of the over-the-top distorted drum sound which dates back to the early nineties. What a great drummer.
Now I'm trying to start packing.

I look forward to seeing the Helio Sequence this Sunday.

Back in Bloomington

2005-06-03T00:36:00.000-05:00

Its fun to post when I'm drunk! I had to stay the night in Indianapolis last night. As you might expect Motel 6's really aren't very glamorous. I was glad to get back to Bloomington today. The next three weeks are the last I will ever spend without Kelley here with me.

I'm looking forward to getting to play some music the over the next few weeks here in Bloomington.

I just downloaded Interpol's Turn on the Bright Lights

Happy Birthday Sarah Green!

iced coffee!

2005-05-27T13:10:00.000-05:00

Its beautiful here in Portland this week. Pushin 90, almost too hot but the breeze keeps it bareable. Kelley and I are seeing the Pixies tonight so I'm sure I'll have a lot more to talk about tomorrow. Since I've been home I've been thrust (willingingly) in to the middle of wedding preperations. Suddenly I realize how hard it probably has been for Kelley. We're trying to find somewhere to have our rehearsal dinner, if anyone has any ideas I'm open.

iced coffee!

huzza!

2005-05-08T13:27:00.000-05:00

School is out for summer biatch!

And I do mean summer, I turned the air conditioning on in my apartment for the first time today...this midwest humidity that I've been hearing so much about is starting to come around. So I've taking a little bit of a break to sort of unwind. I saw "A Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" last night. It was fun and enjoyable. I had no idea Mod Def could act? I've got a little bit of work to do today in planning a review session for my percussion class in North Manchester. I only have to make this horrible 3+ hours drive 3 more times. Recently I've gotten into listening to books on cd on my drives up there, and let me just say thank God for Al Franken.

I'm going to try to get some work done here so I can watch the Heat/Wizards game this afternoon.

more soon...

2005-05-04T00:25:00.000-05:00

Finals are just no fun. I have one more test on Thursday. It's a really hard class. I guess I should expect that if they're gonna call me Dr. Brian

The end is so close. I can't wait to come home and see everyone. I'll get in to PDX on May 19th. Hopefully Kelley and I will be making a trip up to Seattle to play a show with Tractor Operator...then it's on to Walla Walla to see mstop stop going to college! woohooo!

I'm so excited for my sister to be done with school!

As you can tell its hard for me to stay focused. I've already checked out for the semester. I just downloaded one Neil Young song, and one Joy Division song from i-tunes...hows that for a combo.

I'm feeling a really strange mixture of emotions tonight. With my wedding coming up in two months, being ALMOST done with school for the year. I miss my friends. I miss my girl. Kelley has been absolutely amazing planning for the wedding. I've helped out as much as I can being as far away as I am, but there's only so much I can do.

I suppose its time for bed now. See you guys soon.

good news!

2005-04-29T10:41:00.000-05:00

I just found out that the release party for Dan Jones up coming album is July 1st at Sam Bonds garage in Eugene. I was already going to be in town! I'm going to get to play a gig! Holy crap! I think Salt Lick is playing also. Finals are happening now, bleh.

2005-04-25T22:43:00.000-05:00

we're so adorable you can't even take it

2005-04-19T17:30:00.000-05:00

This picture was taken after the New Music Ensemble concert at a reception at the directors house. The two other dudes are also DM percussion students, Yoomi is a composer

Lutoslawski doesn't count

2005-04-17T22:33:00.000-05:00

OOOOHH check the fresh background! I know I've been quiet on the blogging front as of late, but I have good reason. I have turn in a big paper on Tuesday which is pretty much done now, but has taken me a long time to write. It had been like a year and a half since the last paper I wrote so the whole process was hard. It's not really just like riding a bike is it?

This weekend was good. Despite working on the paper I managed to squeeze in some other stuff. Had rehearsal at the high school (percussion ensemble) on Saturday. This gave me a renewed sense of confidence in those kids. They've finally started to learn their parts. We have a concert for that group in a few weeks and will be the first percussion ensemble concert I will ever have conducted. Totally wierd!

I watched Sideways Friday night, while I liked how unpredictable it was it was one of those movies that just makes you feel uncomfortable. You just want to smack Paul Giamatti's character up-side the head.

Beck was on SNL last night. I didn't much like that, but I like the new record.

Kelley's coming on Thursday!!!

Mari, I think you SHOULD come with me to Iron and Wine on Tuesday. How often do you get to enjoy good live music? I guess I got to see some Lutoslowski last week, but that doesn't really count (even though it kicked ass).

I have a myspace page that is kind of addicting. Look me up over there.

Mr. Random why don't you have a my space page?

Dan, what's going on!

I'm going to see the Pixies again!

2005-04-12T10:19:00.000-05:00

I'm going to see the Pixies again! In portland on May 27th. They're playing 4 shows in two days, an early of show of "rarities and b-sides" and a late show of "the classics." Each show is $40, so you would have to pay $80 if you wanted to see both shows on one of the two days. Yipes. Someone the other day said that Pixies fans who were following the band before the hiatus are now in their 30's so they can afford stuff like this.

Well I'm not in my 30's (although not far off) and I can't afford things like that. Kelley got us tickets, isn't she something? She's also in the middle of a "juice fast" at the moment, mostly due to her post-dental-work-tooth-pain...and acting a little crazy I might add. I probably would too.

Our engagement pics aren't posted yet. I don't know what the deal with that is, it's been twice as long as we were told it was going to be, and the photographer hasn't returned my email.

Dan are you home?

B-out

The old man

2005-04-07T10:37:00.000-05:00

I had a good talk with my Dad last night. Usually when I call home Mom dominates the conversation (which isn't necesarilly bad) but she was with friends last night so we got to have some men talk. I'm a zombie today because it was a Manchester day yesterday, got home at 1:30, up for class at 8:00. Seems like it should be "enough" sleep, but when you put in 7 hours of driving it wares you down a little bit. Coffee, my old friend, you are too sweet.

I hope to hang out with people this weekend. I haven't seen Mari and Davin since they picked me up from the airport shuttle like three weeks ago. Which means I haven't really seen anyone outside of the music school crowd. Now I have to finish an assignment...this sure hasn't been very exciting has it? I'll have more to say when I'm more awake.

toodles

Jamie is dirty

2005-04-03T00:35:00.001-05:00

That was just to get your attention. This is Jamie Gage, sending out a communicade via Shannon's computer. I just wanted to let you know that I am so thanlkrful for you mentioning the decembrists in one of your previous entries. by the way, typing is kind of a pain in the ass with just one hand, so please excuse any punctuation errors, or lack .... oh hi toby.... sorry . toby just came in the room and buttrammed my leg. then i beat him. shannon;s not too hapy with me because tuby is all bloody now? sorry5 got to g^ and watc% dave chappleesrtyu on comedy cen$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$tral with shannon// and her bloody cats them all!!!!! by the way bri, ive never even heatrd of the goddamn deciembristes" : or who the hell ever. and do you know anyone who might want to open for duran duran] if so please contact leslie gardiner before 11oclock. shannon says hello.

Two days after hump day

2005-04-01T10:29:00.000-05:00

Friday: I'm going to see a few other houses in hopes that they are awesome and that we can move in to one closer to the beginning of August. Man, what an ordeal.
Kelley printed our wedding invitations last night! She called after I got out of a particularly boring rehearsal and asked me what I wanted them to say, and I said "duh bah duh bah duah boaw." Then I said that our wedding was on JUNE 16th 2004...baby, I can assure you I know the date of my wedding...and it isn't the aforementioned day.
I get to sleep in a little bit tomorrow hooray!

Hump day

2005-03-30T14:05:00.000-05:00

To: Faithfull Readers (i.e. Dan and Megan)
From: The desk of the B

"Suzie take this down...."

Well it's another crazy week. I felt like crawling in to a hole and dying earlier today. Not only is everything going wrong with getting the house, I'll have to fill out yet ANOTHER Fafsa as I will most likely not be offered a graduate teaching position next year. The thing with the house is this: Kelley and I made plans to move in around the first of the month, the landlord won't let us move in until the 20th of August! We're both pretty dissapointed. Just when I thought all that was over and done wit. So were either going to throw in the towell on that house or we're going to cram all of our stuff in to my current apartment for 3 weeks in August while we wait for the 20th to roll around....

I have another concert tonight, but the rest of the week should be pretty relaxed..ya I have a paper to start but I won't have 5 hours of rehearsal a day like I did on Mon, Tues., YIKES!

So it's almost April, that's crazy. I'm excited for everybody except myself to change their clocks this Sunday. I'll enjoy only being two hours ahead of Kelley.

The Decemberists are coming! Wow Iron and Wine AND the Decemberists in the same two months...what a lucky town this is.

Monday is drizzly

2005-03-28T10:52:00.000-05:00

Everything is happening fast now. I'm going in to sign the lease on the new house tomorrow. I've got two concerts this week. I DON'T have to drive anywhere to teach until NEXT Wednesday which is so good. I'm pretty tired of driving. Did anyone catch Wilco on Austin City Limits on Saturday? Really good stuff. What a fuckin great band.

What else? I hope the Testface release was as mind blowing as I expect. I hear there's a rumor that somebody that you may have heard of wants to take them on tour with them...but I'm not one to gossip.

running out of things to say...more later.

I've been watching Family Guy and drinking pabst

2005-03-25T23:48:00.000-05:00

Well, what did you expect. I have good news, and I have bad news. The Kelley and I got the house that I was really interested in. I just hope she likes it. It has a basement...hopefully people will play music in it with me. It's great having that done, the house hunting. That was a stressfull process.

The bad news is that Jamie hurt his hand pretty bad. I know you're not reading this but I'll call you tomorrow Jamie.

Kelley's coming to see in late April, the 18th I think (good news of course).

I'm going to be teaching another drum camp at OFAM in Eugene in the last week in June. I don't know why, but for awhile I wasn't really wanting to deal with OFAM anymore. Maybe it's because most of the kids at my camp last year were either 13 or 6...or 9...ok maybe there was a 15 year old too...

but work is work. It will be good to spend a week in Eugene anyway! Crashing on somebodys couch I hope...maybe multiple couches? OK I'll start the bidding whenever you're ready. I'll buy you coffee! I'll throw you a birthday party!

I would normally have to teach high school percussion on Saturdays. This week though is their spring break so there is no rehearsal. Which means I can sleep in past 8 tomorrow! I like teaching those kids, good kids really...it's just nice to sleep in. I don't get to do it much these days.

Rory is thinking of trying to come out for the wedding which is so f'n cool. Makes me happy.

Back in B-town

2005-03-20T13:45:00.000-05:00

What a week of head/brain cleansing I had in Oregon. My usual stress levels will typically remain fully intact for the 1st few days of a vacation. Not this time. The rigors of midterms and a busy teaching schedule left me reeling and desperate for a break. As soon as I sat down in the plane I felt a sense of relief.

My last night while in PDX happened to be St. Paddy's day. After a dinner with the folks in Beaverton I felt sluggish and old. We planned on converging on the Good Foot, who's clientele was a lot more hippieish than I'd remembered, until we got there of course. I felt a renewed sense of pep as people we knew arrived. I met Collin's new girlfriend who I'd known as a face the music employee. She didn't seem to broken up about the store closing down. It was great to see everyone.

Kelley and I did a lot of wedding prep. stuff throughout the week which included: trying to register for gifts ( a work in progress of course), visiting the Grand Lodge where the wedding is to be held, we also had some engagement photos taken by the woman who will be taking pictures at the wedding. It made me feel a little uncomfortable to be on display. I'll post a link to the pics once they're ready, if you think that you can stand how adorable we are.

I bought a rolling stone for the plane ride home, mostly because it had a big spread on the late Dr. Hunter S. Thompson (what a fiend!) I enjoyed reading about his younger crazier days.

And now it is back work for B.

I'm older now

2005-03-10T14:40:00.000-05:00

The B is officially 27. Kind of a light day at school, which is nice for today. With spring break being next week things are slowly winding down. I have a 3:00 appointment and then I think I'm going to go to my favorite coffee shop, pick up something to read. OHH, the big news for today is that a house that I've been drooling over for Kelley and I to move into just was put back on the market. Somebody had put in a lease offer and it fell through! So I'm going to check it out tomorrow. It has everything we would want from a house (including a basement), hopefully I can find some suckas to come play music with me there. And by suckas I mean NOT suckers, but sucka-dawgs.

Mari and Davin are making me dinner tonight, those guys rock.

2005-03-07T13:09:00.000-05:00

What a weird weekend. I played with the North Manchester symphony on Sunday, this is the place where I teach my college class. It's a really tiny town, but somehow they can afford to have a symphony orchestra there. They put me up in hotel on Saturday night, as we rehearsed on Saturday. How nice it was to be able to watch cable. The weird part of the weekend was that I was invited to dinner by the president of the symphony's board of directors who just so happense also to be the man who INVENTED MIDI. He had a ton of cool gadgets, some of which I'd never seen. If I was more midi savy I'd be more descriptive. I really felt like I was eating dinner with royalty or something.

I pretty much just have to coast through this week until Saturday when I get to fly home. I turn 27 on Thursday. I think I'm going to get a hair cut, maybe that will make me feel younger. Man, I need some coffee.

Dan, I bought Yo la Tengo's Fakebook and it hasn't really impressed me all that much as of yet. I don't know, I think I just prefer mellow Yo La Tengo, to ultry poppy YLT.

Hooray for March!!!!!!!

2005-03-02T12:49:00.000-05:00

February sucked ass. I sure am glad it's gone. Although you'd think it would be warmer here right now. We've had a decent amount of snow (not much that has stuck) over the past few days. The sun is out right now but I have a feeling that it's temporary.

Music: Yo La Tengo! And then nothing turned.....

Last Days of Disco. Yes.

Also, there's a helio sequence video which you can watch if you go to the subpop web
site. It's a pretty funny collage of the boys tooling around town. There's even a very quick shot of the window at Beaverton Music. That's pretty funny.

More on the music front: Iron and Whine is coming to Bloomington!!!! Oh my God! Respectable indie rock coming here. I'm on pins and needles. I've never been crazy about iron and whine, but I have a feeling they'd (he) would put on a good show.

Built to spill announcened some tour dates for May. They're doing an eastern/midwest tour but I fear the closest they'll be coming to me is Chicago. Am I crazy enough to drive to Chicago for Doug? Just maybe.

I'll be home in 10 days.

Karma Police

2005-02-28T16:18:00.000-05:00

You know when someone does something nasty to you and you think to yourself, 'I really hope they get what's coming to them,' well, I take comfort sometimes in thinking that the guy who just totally cut me off in his car is goint to get a speeding ticket. But Dan, I sure how hope that 'you know who' gets what she deserves. Enough said about that.

Still looking for a house. I've put 3000 miles on my car in 4 weeks driving to teach and to play gigs, and I had a mini-scare in that my car was making a horrible noise, but it turns out it was nothing. phew!

big week this week: a presentation, a mid-term, I'll have more to say later in the week I'm sure.

Looking for a house

2005-02-23T12:04:00.000-05:00

Everyone does it early here. kelley and I are really hoping to find a house we can move in to and stay put for a few years. Remember when you were 18-22 (or so) and you were ok with moving once a year? Maybe you weren't like that. But I sure was. OK there was the house on Lincoln that I stayed in for two years, but I was a frog hopping on the lilly pads for the most part. There also was only one requirement, the house had to have a basement. While I'd like for our house to have a basement here in Bloomington, I have to say I'm equally interested in it having a dishwasher and a washer/dryer. I'm NOT DOMESTIC!! Just lazier. Seriously though, we used to not give much thought in to picking a house out, most anything would do. Now were getting super specific here. Kelley really wants an outside area where she can plant stuff and relax, and hardwood floors. I'd like to be close to school but of course the rents get more $$ the closer you get to campus. We'll see what happens.

I'm playing with the Lafayette Symphony this week. With my class in North Manchester tonight and driving to Lafayette on Tues/Thurs. this means lots of being in my car. I should be used to it by now. This has been normal lately.

MEGAN! I know I've asked you this a few times but when is your graduation? HAve you seen the lineup for the sasquatch fest? It's memorial day weekend and it looks frickin dope. Maybe I can go? I musn't get too excited about these things we've got a wedding to plan.

Check this out: March 12th I get in to Portland and there is a Tracker show at Dug Fir. Ah yeah.
Dan sucks

Delayed reaction

2005-02-17T10:46:00.000-05:00

Whoa. This week hit me hard. While having Kelley here over the weekend was fabulous, it made for a tough Monday-Wednesday of playing catch up, as well as a playing a concert. The class up in Manchester goes better and better every time I'm up there. It's difficult to be patient with my students yet not make them think they're getting a free ride. I'm getting better at that. To review, it's a percussion methods class that I'm teaching to music education majors at North Manchester College...none of them are percussionists by trade.

Will you guys send me music suggestions? I grow tired of the music on my ipod. I have been waking up to Frosted Deslustrada on the bus pretty regularly right now I'm re-visiting the 12-20-01, 12-21-01 recordings. Greatest Band Ever! The guitar work is pretty poor though.

Big thanks to Mari and Adam for throwing a rad party last Saturday. Sorry I stole your whine, I'll make it up to you.

I have to write things about Fugal subjects now...well the subject overlaps the answer before it goes to the bridge but only after the first counter subject enters in the alto voice using diminution to rhythmically delay the notes in the subject only later to.... AHHHHHHHHH

If this means war then I'm ready for you

2005-02-11T12:11:00.000-05:00

Mr. Dan Dismuke thinks he can verbally assault me via cyberspace and get away with it.

dandismuke.blogspot.com

Follow our cyber-rant while I take him down a few pegs.
What's up Dan? Didn't you just get done saying that I was one of your Gods?

You're going to Brian hell bisnasty!
I'm going to drum on your head for the rest of eternity!

I feel like a rock star sometimes

2005-02-11T08:39:00.000-05:00

Without all of the drugs of course... I've been on the road every night this week. I'm playing with the Columbus, IN Philharmonic this weekend and have been rehearsing with them this week. And then of course I had my class up in North Manchester on Wednesday. So much driving.

I've been on a huge Yo La Tengo kick recently. I only have I can Hear the Heart Beating as One, and Summer Sun. I know the record that they put out right before Summer Sun is supposed to be everybodys' fav. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can pick up next. Dan you're an expert on the subject.

Some great shows happening in Eugene, OR this weekend. Launch Pad on Friday. The OV's, Yeltsin, and Armored Frizog at Lucky's on Saturday. I miss going out on Friday nights and knowing most of the people I see, or at least recognizing them. I don't get out here much. I'm still waiting to be inspired enough to check out a local band and be swept off my feet. I'll let you know.

Two other interesting points of interest:

-There's a petition floating around the internet to save NPR, which seems to be in jeopardy. Let me know if you want it forwarded it to you.

-I just might be able to let people hear live versions of the up-coming Built to spill release! Let me know if YOU want to be swept off your feet.

Haven't posted in a week?

2005-02-09T14:41:00.000-05:00

What's wrong with me? How could I leave my faithful readers in the dark for so long? Rest assured, everything's fine. Everything is more than fine and here is why, my lovely wife-to-be be visiting me this weekend see?

Kelley comes in on Friday!

Some other noteworthy news: I've started teaching my Manchester College course. The first class was on Sunday, the second one I'm leaving for in about an hour (it's a three hour commute). There are four kids in the class. They're all polite and seem genuinely interested in what I have to say...for now. They'll get tired of listening to me blab on in a few weeks.

There was a percussion department audition today. It was kind of like a mock-professional audition for a symphony orchestra, but was in a masterclass format. So the "judges," the percussion faculty, were behind a screen, while 10 or 15 members of the department who weren't taking part in the audition were watching. This is not really how an actual symphony audition would go. Stop me if I'm boring you. Ha, you can't. Wait, don't stop reading!!

Anywhoo, I won the audition! It wasn't really an audition FOR anything, in that usually you would be offered a job if you won. It figures that the only audition I've ever won isn't one that offers me any money, but it feels good anyway.

Gotta catch the bus now. I WILL post more regularly don't go away!

so tired

2005-02-02T08:45:00.000-05:00

Am I getting older? That's kind of a silly question. I'm getting up an hour later this semester but my schedule seems to be wreaking more havic on the bags under my eyes. Things probably would seem pretty un-interesting if I told you everything that was going on. Lot's o school. I missed Rogue Wave on Monday. There were 4 bands and I needs my beauty sleep.

Somebody come to Bloomington and play music for my enjoyment. Anyone?

2005-01-29T22:32:00.000-05:00

Lately the big debate in my mind is why I'm so damn cheap. Did I say cheap? I mean thrifty. I've adapted to this life of spending as little as I can. Not that I have a choice. I look forward to the day that I can relax and not consistently worry about my finances.

The Pixies are on Austin City Limits and it's just ok. Nalin said it well when he said "he just can't scream like he used to." Don't get me wrong, I LOVED seeing them in Eugene. Live tv just aint as good.

The Testface release is March 25. It's too bad it won't be 2 weeks sooner, when I'll be in Portland. I'm psyched for those kids that they're getting shows with people like Fuck, and pretty girls make graves.

www.testface.com

Thanks Mari for asking me to dinner. It was good to get out, been cooped up too much. If anybody knows any good photographers in the Portland area please let me know. This is the current wedding project.

Hooray for Megan's new car!

I can buy $3 bottles of decent whine at the Sahara mart. This is awesome

2005-01-22T23:26:00.000-05:00

I saw Modest Mouse on Austing City Limits tonight. It was actually a lot better than I thought, after they got Float On out of the way. That thing is so tired. I think I actually liked "The Good Times Are Killing Me" the best, which is wierd it's always seemed like not that big of a deal. Isacc seemed REALLY un-excited about being there. He even said "welcome to may day job."

Watching that and being home not doing anything on the weekends really makes me miss playing shows. I didn't realize that while in Eugene I was playing out at least once a weekend. At the time you wish sometimes to have a Friday off, now I wish I could play.

I'm going to be an adjunct percussion instructor at North Manchester college in North East Indiana. Teaching a percussion methods class to music education majors, and maybe doing a little teaching. It's going to be a lot of driving, but a good to thing to have done.

I can buy $3 bottles of decent whine at the Sahara mart. This is awesome. Thanks Davin for all of the Flaming Lips.

2005-01-21T08:34:00.000-05:00

Finally it's Friday. It's been a 4 day week but it's hit me like a ton 'o bricks. Feeling exhausted. It's snowy here and cold. This weekend (besides my usual teaching schedule) I hope to get caught up on some practicing, watch a movie or two, clean a little bit around the house. Of course I'll be giving Kelley a call on Sunday as it is her birthday (turning 25), and you should too.

I watched a news story this morning about Christian groups claiming that spongebob squarepants is promoting homosexuality. I think that's the funnies thing I've heard so far in the hour and a half or so that I've been awake.

Dan Dismuke has a blog: dandismuke.blogspot.com

Kelley has blogged for the first time in months as she is back on a computer doing wedding research.

I'm feeling like this semester is going to make it hard for me to get work done on my recital music. The academics are more intense, and the rehearsals are more often. I'm sure I'll adjust eventually. But worrying about this kind of thing is what I do.

right

2005-01-18T23:04:00.000-05:00

So I've been doing nothing but post pictures of me (and Dan), but it's for a good reason. I just discovered how to do it! And I only seem to have pictures of myself, and Dan, and a few others I suppose. Anyway...

School is back in full swing. It's been below 10 degrees here for a couple days. I'm getting impatient for the new Built to Spill record to come out. I'm seeing the possible teaching job at North Manchester college slowly slip away due to scheduling conflicts. It may still happen, but that's all I want to say about that right now, the s**t has been frustrating.

Shannon, you haven't blogged since December 24th, get it together girl!

And last but not least: the Bush inaugural bash is costing over $40 million. And people ask me why I'm not auditioning for any of the marine bands. oh sure, a good portion of this $ is coming from corporate sponsers, but does that make it any better? It doesn't make me want to audition for the marine bands any more than it already did.

I realize this gets awfully lame when I try to politically rant. I'll try to clear the air.

The sideburn on the right side of my face is longer than the one on my left. I don't plan these things people.

current music: Beastie Boys, P.J. Harvey, the Arcade Fire

2005-01-16T23:38:00.000-05:00

This was in the Eugene Weekly recently as part of an article on small, lesser known recording studios. This is from the Sleep Sound studio, good 'ol Jake and George. We were working on the Testface record which nears completion.

2005-01-15T19:43:00.000-05:00

His name is Dan, the next baby gramps?

2005-01-15T13:44:00.000-05:00

We found a location for the wedding! What a long process it turned out to be. We didn't want to get married in a church so we had been researching on-line to see what other kinds of venues were available. We were looking at parks and gardens, mostly outdoor places. My friend Katy had her wedding reception at the Mcmenamens Grand Lodge in Forrest Grove, OR some years back so we looked into possibly doing it there. And that is where we will be wed. It's a pretty great set up really. The folks at the lodge cater these events, as well as set up and tear down. Then of course your drinking kegs of hammerhead instead of pabst! This is good.

So it's settled. July 16th, 2005!

I'm still trying to decide what I want to do for music. We were thinking of burning some mix cd's of good dance tunes, but I might want to play a little too? Still mulling that one over.

It's really cold today. Last night after finalizing this aspect of the wedding I celebrated with a 6 pack of Red Hook IPA's and a rental copy of Shaun of the Dead, which turned out to be ok. The ending sucked though.

There's another subpop band playing in Bloomington on Jan. 31st. I forget their name at the moment, I think they're from San Fran.

I hope the activator gig turned out ok. Activator with the ovulators at the downtown lounge, and deke falcon with launch pad at a different location? What's a Eugenian to do?

2005-01-10T23:07:00.000-05:00

Frosted Deslustrada and more words below

Music News (more of it)

2005-01-10T22:25:00.000-05:00

A new year, and a new Template. Mrs. Simpson, we have nose bleeds.

I got to hear recent version of the upcoming Dan Jones record, of which I was fortunate to be able play on, while I was home for Christmas. It's really going to be a great follow up to One Man Sub. Where It will lack in the Billy Barnett factor it will make up for it with really great songs. I mean really. Heartfelt, simple, endearing songs.

Eric has bought a lap top which he plans to mix the Pellet Gun record on. I have a dream that someday I'll get to attend a rowdy PGun listening party. I think that with the new computer things will start happening a lot faster.

On a completely un-related topic:

http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2005/01/307269.shtml

This is worth a few clicks for a good chuckle.

I miss Portland, and all you Portlanders.

I heart ipod

2005-01-10T01:37:00.000-05:00

My life will never be the same. Like I said when I got my cell phone, how could I ever have lived without it. School starts tomorrow. It will be good to get back to a more normal sort of schedule, but not looking forward to the mornings. DAN DISMUKE: If you're reading this you called tonight during the only 30 seconds that I wouldn't have heard my phone ring. For craps sake!

Finding where we should get married will be the hardest part of the whole planning process I think. There's a lot of info on the web about Gardens and other outdoor places you can rent out around Portland. There aren't a ton of pictures though. Tina's idea was a good one, but it doesn't sound like they rent it out for events like this.

Arcade Fire

2005-01-06T15:49:00.000-05:00

Oh my God. Have you guys heard the Arcade Fire before, or am I that completely out of the loop? I don't usually purchase albums on a whim. It had been highly recomended to me. Plus Pitchfork.com hailed it as the best album of the year. A good review + wanting to know what the pitchfork fuss was about = too much temptation.
It reminds me a little bit of Brigh Eyes, but not quite as slit-your-wrists depressing. There are really lush textures on the arcade fire's record, which is called 'Funeral' by the way. Really great song writing. They take what would be a normal pop song and use an approach that reminds me of how Wilco will de-construct a song on Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. But with the Arcade they seem to over-construct it adding layers an layers of texture. Plus the vocalist sounds just a little like Brian Mumford when he screams.

**** That's four stars kids. And I'm hard to please when it comes to the tunes.

In other news I'm back in Bloomington, adjusting to the cold, and preparing for the semester to start on Monday. I have a long of day of teaching to do in Mooresville on Saturday, but other than that I have quite a bit of time to get settled.

2005-01-03T16:11:00.000-05:00

Note to self, and others. Playing basketball in the dark isn't the most productive way to play basketball. I hope Sean's teeth are ok. I fly home to Bloomington on Wednesday and while I'm sad to leave I'm looking forward to getting home. I saw Napolean Dynamite last night and was somewhat dissapointed. It had really been built up by friends as being this hilarious movie. It was alright I guess. The next movie I need to see is called With Nail and I. A friend has described it as England's equivalent to Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (fav. movie), so I've got to see it. I'm really digging Wilco's recent release, as well as the Soinc Youth record, both of which I got for Christmas. Good Kim stuff. Is it just me: I haven't really been grabbed by any of Thurston's songs since like Washing Machine. I think my fiance put it well when she said, "come on Thurston don't you know we all want to hear Kim." True dat. The expanded Crooked Rain Crooked Rain release has been fun too.

p.s. Thanks for the Garden tip Tina!

Eugene and otherwise

2004-12-31T18:55:00.000-05:00

Kelley and I visited our old home of Eugene yesterday. So fun. I got to see so many old friends over the course of the day, was treated to a Dan Jones style home cooked meal, and got to see a great show at Sam Bonds Garage one of my favorite old stompin' grounds. Of course our first stop in town was at Cafe Sienna. Duh. Went by The Shed which currently houses OFAM and chatted with some ex-work associates. Went by the music school to do a walk through and be glad that I'm not there anymore.

Of course there was a stop made at the Unfine Art store to witness the spectacle that was the art show going on at the moment. Then it was on to Espresso Roma (which was unfortunately pretty dead) for some highly anticipated java. It wasn't as good as I remembered it. I think it's because I've been spoiled sleeping so close to a store the sells stumptown coffee all Christmas break.

Dinner with Dan. Went to the Hoarse Head, ran in to Mac. Or Macarthur as Kelley called him. Then on to Sam Bonds. It was pleasantly surprising to actually find that there's some people out there who read this thing. Dori spotted us as we came through the door and popped us on to the guest list (sweet!). It was great to hear Deke Falcon. I didn't know what to expect, but I've always loved Jordan's drumming, and it provided some good ambiance for conversation. The Ov's were of course way too loud to talk over which wasn't a bad thing. It was great visiting with everybody. I couldn't have hoped for a better turn out of familiar faces. The Ovulators sounded absolutely spectacular with the new drummer in tow (much improved over the last one). The girls have really improved since the last time I heard them...when the heck was that? Maybe it was when I was a Snow Queen?

Tonight won't be too crazy but I insisted on getting a bottle of Whiskey. Happy new year my cyber friends.

p.s. I couldn't have imagined what a comotion with my previous coments in regards to Sex in the City. What the heck! All I have to say is, I'm a man. Just be glad that I don't watch monster truck races.

p.s.s Where should Kelley and I get married? It has to be in Portland, and not in a church.

in PDX

2004-12-27T15:41:00.000-05:00

I've not been blogging because I've been so busy doing nothing. It's been so good to be home. Sleeping a lot, drinking a lot, getting engaged. I finally became a part of popular culture now that I am the proud owner of an ipod. So good. Pellet gun was supposed to play a new years show which has now fallen through the cracks. Up-setting. But if a reunion is to happen it's probably better if we waited awhile anyway. Sex in the city is on in the next room. Sounds like a lot of high pitched whimpering. Give me Desperate House Wives over that any day. No. The Life Aquatic was enjoyable, not life changing, but enjoyable.

2004-12-17T10:14:00.000-05:00

Just walked out of my last final, which turned out to be a biyatch. It was a total blur. I feel fried. But I'm done now and can forget about music history for awhile..and focus on packing, getting ready to leave, and partying with Mari and hopefully Davin.

I'm posted an excerpt from an email I got from none other than Dan Dismuke, I'm sure he won't mind, in it he describes why none of us have heard from him in so long:

"Sorry it took me so long to respond. I think I've seen more comets since I've gotten here than I've had opportunities to use the 'net. Wish I could be there for New Year's...seriously, I do! This town is depressing. I get to travel a bit over the break but nothing fabulous. I think I'm spending New Year's on a student's parents' farm with him and his family. What a fabulous adventure. Yip. I'm already forging a plan to come back to a real city next year.
And yes I'm already getting kicked off the computer...good to hear from you!"

so I'll be getting in to Portland tomorrow around 4pm! See y'all soon!

2004-12-14T13:10:00.000-05:00

man, I'm ready for the semester to be over. I think I'm going to not leave the house all day, until tonight when I go to see the Reverand Horton Heat. The temp. is in the 20's and the wind is wicked cold. Being outside sucks. Oh and cramming 6 or 7 hundred years of music history isn't much fun either. But I'll get to forget it all again come Friday at say 10:00am.

The chance of doing this Percussion techniques class up in Manchester is looking more and more likely. It turns out that the pay wouldn't be that good for being college teaching, but hey it's college teaching. I might try to see what I can do about asking for more, they are a little desperate on their end. I would be an adjunct percussion instructor. Man that sounds cool. Come February I'll hopefully be spending Saturdays in Mooresville, and Sundays in North Manchester. Because of this I'll probably push my first IU recital back until fall semester of '05.

back to work. Thanks Modest Mouse for playing 4 shows in Portland, none of them being when I'm there. And vary up your set lists for crying out loud! Everybody's tired of the new record! Give us some Tundra/Desert! Or give them rather...

wiped out

2004-12-11T21:50:00.000-05:00

Spent all day at high school...man I'm tired. Teaching from 9-6. Totally exhausted. Did I mention that I'm tired? Good. o.k. so not sure whether to sort through all of my crap that's strewn about, or to pass out. I'll probably do some of both. Portland in 1 week!

I sure hope to be able to make it down to Eugene while I'm home. I'm not sure what the car situation will be all about at the Gardiner's.

Sorry I left last night Mari.

I know I've been bad

2004-12-10T16:01:00.000-05:00

About blogging. I'm finally seeing the faint light off in the distance. I'm not really sick anymore. I've only got two tests to take before I'm done for the semester. One is next Thurs., and one on Friday. So I've got nothing to do but study for them for a week, well and practice too. I guess I'm going to see the Reverand Horton Heat on Tuesday (better be good Mari:'>), I have my first day of marathon teaching at Mooresville high school starting tomorrow.

What's this all about? Well from now until April'ish every Saturday will be spent in Mooresville. In the morning I'll be teaching their winter percussion program, and in the afternoon I'll be teaching privately. 9-6, every Sat. Which will be great if I ever get paid.

So what's going on in Portland over Christmas, somebody fill me in.
Not sure what to do tonight. Thinking about being a hermit, but not sure...

2004-12-06T01:08:00.000-05:00

I'm feeling really appreciative of the past right now. I don't know what trigered it. I have re-occuring notalgic moments, but this is different. I just appreciate more and more the last few years of my live. Being in Eugene. The people I knew. The things I got to do. The people I got to teach drums to. Man, I had some really amazing, intelligent students at Thurston High School, at OFAM. I miss that time spent out there. Do I miss teaching? A little bit maybe.

Semesters winding down. Things are crazy. New Dan Jones record coming right around the corner.

2004-12-04T17:43:00.000-05:00

So I went to the IU health center, got some meds, and I'm a hell of a lot better now. It turns out that my throat had become infected with somethin or other. It was pretty bad kids. I was up late coughing for several days. And in a very Brian way I didn't do anything about it until it got out of control. But now I can actually take deep breaths without hacking!

I'm the midst of several performances of the Nutcracker over a three day span. Bleh. Apparently people are really interested in the ratchet. I had 2 people ask me "what made that sound?" Never 'hey great cymbal crashes,' or maybe 'what kind of snare drum do you prefer.' Losers.

I'm going to start a gossip/rumor train. If people ever see this...

Guess what be-loved ex-indie rockers from Eugene might be getting together for a show around Christmas?

2004-12-01T13:56:00.000-05:00

Well here's the scoop. I'm still sick. Don't really have much of a voice today. I've been missing a ton of class because my illness has been causing me to sleep late. So it's getting a little stressfull with the semester getting down to the wire here.

Thanksgiving was amazing. So good to be home.

Dead week kills

2004-11-30T03:11:00.000-05:00

Brian I am sad that we couldn't hook up over your visit here...but you will be back soon right?! I hope that over break we can see each other a few times at least. I wish you luck through the end of this term...I know that I will need it.
Miss you,
Shannon

lots of time in a car

2004-11-21T23:34:00.000-05:00

3 hours up and 3 back. I played the North Manchester gig today. It's a band of music ed majors, and a lot of non-music majors. I was the ringer filling in for an old friend of mine who conducts the band. She's going to try to hire me to teach her percussion techniques class next semester! Legit college teaching work has eluded me thus far. I was a assistant instructor of sorts for the University of Oregon front ensemble during their winter percussion season, but I was paid under the table by the guy who I was filling in for. But this North Manchester thing would be f'n golden. So good for the resume.

Since I might not post anything tomorrow, for all you interested P-towners I'll be getting in to Portland around 11pm Tuesday night and I hope to see you while I'm home.

2004-11-20T17:47:00.000-05:00

Fuck Ron Artest. Fuck Stephen Jackson. Jermaine O'Neal, I'm very dissapointed in you. Man...

6 days til Oregon/rocking harder than sting on a vespa

2004-11-17T22:29:00.000-05:00

well folks it's happened. I finally got sick. I was going on a solid 6/7 months with nothing done goin...and finally it hit me. My throat feels like Garey Busey's ash tray. I sure hope that I can shake it before my journey home. It sounds like I might get a ride up to the airport w/ some friends, saving me the $20 shuttle fair it would have cost otherwise.

I got offered a gig with the Terre Haute Symphony that's taking place the weekend of the 4/5...but I have an IU performance of the Nutcracker that weekend. Oh did a say one single performance? I meant 4. F'n nutcracker. Keepin a brotha from making the $$. Still it's nice to be offered the job.

We have our second and final percussion ensemble of the semester this Friday, for those of you bloggers who live in Bloomington...all 1 of you! It's going to be quite different from the last one. Let's just leave it at that.

The winter percussion teaching that was tentavie thus far looks like it might happen. I've got a meeting w/ the band director and all interested students on Monday. It also looks like I've got free reign to decide what the show is going to be! The possibilities. I'm considering arranging an ode to Quadraphenia for percussion ensemble. Can you hear it? I think it would rock harder than sting on a vespa.

Maybe that should be the title?

"CAN YOU SEE THE REAL ME DOCTOR?!"

2004-11-15T13:29:00.000-05:00

It became very clear to me upon returning to Bloomington yesterday that we're entering a sort of seasonal transition period. It's been cold here for awhile. But I finally decided it was time to turn the heat on in my apartment. It also seems like Nov. 14th is the unofficial beginning of the Christmas season. I'm going to have VERY little $ for Christmas this year. So for those of you reading this who are expecting something I'm going to tell you right now...please don't be dissapointed if I end up baking you something (not much of a cook) or making you a card, or buying you a beer and telling you it's your Christmas present. Except you Kelley...you'll probably get something a bit nicer than that.

8 days til Oregon.

back from Music City

2004-11-14T22:17:00.000-05:00

Self Proclaimed Music city anyway. After spending 3 nights at the bars I can tell you that the music doesn't exactly cross genres very often. I guess it is Nashville after all. Had a great time. Saw old friends. Made a few new contacts. Was offered the chance to perform a recital at the college in Kansas where Tracy Freeze now teaches percussion. This is very cool.

The 100th Monkey ensemble also might try to do some things outside of the U. of Oregon. This, for those of you who don't know, is a contemporary music group which was exclusive to grad students at UO from probably 97ish-2003. It was comprised of several composers, percussionists, and other instrumentalists. It had quite the revolving door of participants. Tracy is going to put some promotional stuff together to see if we can't do some residencies, performances, and who knows what else. Keep your fingers crossed.

I must get to the homework. I'll fill you in on some more tomorrow.

2004-11-11T13:01:00.000-05:00

It's rather miserable outside. Rainy, cold, Oregon-like. I'm leaving for Nashville today and for the convention. I'll be back on Sunday. I should have some interesting tid-bits for ya then. I've been feeling especially lazy this week. I think it was the percussion ensemble concert on Monday. I felt like I needed to catch my breath after that...it wasn't particularly demanding, but Monday was a killer.
One more perc ensemble concert a week from tomorrow. Then it will be time to focus on my up-coming finals..after thanksgiving of course. Semesters sure are long.

now time to get some work done...

I like teaching, but a brotha has gots to get paid

2004-11-09T18:33:00.000-05:00

So my first, and not far from my last, percussion ensemble concert here at IU was last night. We played two 21st century pieces, and two not so 21st century pieces, one of which was a Beethoven arrangement for mallet ensemble which caused poor Mari to go in to seizures, and not the good kind. Let's just say that every concert tends to have what we call "filler." ugh. I say it probably isn't far from my last because as a doctoral student I'm not actually required to be in the ensemble. My prof. suggested I take the course this semester, and wanting to make a good impression I did what he suggested. One big difference between Charles (former teach) and Cirone (current), if Charles was teaching here at IU, he would have TOLD me to take perc. ensemble...while Cirone suggested I take it. He's almost too nice sometimes.

I guess Chuck isn't attending the convention in Nashville this weekend, which I'm dissapointed about.

There is a lot for me to consider right now as far as next semester. Mainly involving teaching. The band director at Mooresville which is where I'm supposed to teach winter percussion seems especially flakey. Not the worst I've come across (Ray) but enough so that it's causing me to consider re-considering... ?

Plus it's 45 minutes away.

I'm sort of discovering the Talking Heads for the first time. wow.

It's damn cold here too

2004-11-09T02:27:00.000-05:00

Hey Brian,
You will have to email me your itinerary. I will be spending Wednesday and Thursday of Thanksgiving at the beach with my grandparents but hopefully we will be able to hook up.
It sounds like you are doing well and I am happy for you!
Talk to you soon,
Shannon

2004-11-08T13:21:00.000-05:00

Let's try this again. I tried posting yesterday but something went haywire...
The gig with the Lafayette Symphony went pretty good.
They seemed to be happy enough with my playing so maybe they'll ask me back. It sure is nice to hold a pay check in my hand, it's been months since I've been able to do that. Way too much to do this past weekend, I didn't get much of a chance to relax. But I've got PASIC (the Percussive Arts Society International Convention) this weekend to look forward to. It's in Nashville, which I don't think is more than a 4/5 hour drive? I'm looking forward to seeing old friends there.

Things are busy. I'll be in Portland two weeks from tomorrow! Watch the f out! I'll be pounding your doors down. Leave your cell phones on and lock up your valuables.

until then...or the next post

that's cold

2004-11-04T13:37:00.000-05:00

It's really friggin cold here now! I had a great night last night. My run with Lafayette symphony is this week, and while that hasn't proved to be the most rewarding musical situation I got to see my old friends the Helio Sequence play in my little ole town of Bloomington.

Because Lafayette is two hours away and there was a rehearsal last night I was a little late getting back to B-town (for the record I don't like calling it B-town).

But Mari and I were able to catch most of the set. They sounded great and put on an energetic show as usual despite playing for a kinda small house. Brandon and Benjamin both forgot I lived there and seemed happy/surprised to see me. Their in the midst of a 7 week tour that's taken them to Europe. Apparently everyone in Holland think's that all Americans love GWBush. Funny. It was interesting to get to hear my friends comments on their unique place in the rock and roll industry...hearing them talk about how much $ a certain promoter got to do press for example. Brandon and I shared a moment of reflecting on..well, Love and Distance. Kelley.

Anyway I'm paying for it in lack of sleep today but I'm glad I went. It was a well needed taste of home.

who says nothing happens in Bloomington?

2004-10-31T20:04:00.000-05:00

Mari and I decided to go out on the town for some Saturday night/halloween fun. After managing to fit her old brownies sash over my head and dawning a beanie (of course) I was the prettiest brownie you ever did see. She was some kind of Black Sabbath fairy....just an excuse to wear wings I think. And why not? She reminds me of Mercedes in that way. We decided to walk around for a bit to see what kind of chaos may or may not be going down. After 5 or six blocks we were starting to get somewhat dissapointed...no costumes...no bar fights...no high school kids picking up chicks in the parking lots...well o.k. there was some of that.

As we approached campus we heard this blood curdling scream! Looking up the road I saw what looked like a huge mob of people outside the fratty type bar on campus. They either had evacuated the bar due to an axe wieldingg rampage...or it was a horde of zombies out lookin for some mutha f'n brains. It was a horde of zombies.

Probably like 30-40 wicked creapy zombies slithering down the street stopping to feast on innocent pedestrians. We hung back to check out the carnage. These zombies were CRAZY! Since our night thus far had been pretty dull we followed the mob for awhile. Walking right in their vortex we were somehow able to avoid being attacked. This one dude sniffed me out...but I think they were confused about a dude wearing a brownies uni. For whatever reason we were able to co-exist.

Where were they headed? Taco Bell. Of course! Why didn't I see it coming.

So we had planned on hitting up the Second Story (John Henry's-ish) for some bands pretending to be the Breeders, talking heads, and David Bowie. Some of the zombies made it there after their feast...they had since calmed down and were actually able to make pretty intelligable conversation. I guess they do this every year! There's people who come from as far as Ohio to parade around like zombies for awhile and cause a scene.

You know what I'll be doing next year.

The cover bands were ok. We were both dissapointed at the lack of the David Byrne suit. eh.

fake smiles

2004-10-27T19:38:00.000-05:00

Now that I've been studying with a new faculty for 9 weeks I've been reflecting on my time studying with Charles. After all of the horrible, horrible things I had to put up with I find my respect for him growing as time goes on, not that it didn't exist before. If there was one thing I keep coming back to it's how he showed me/molded me into a professional, and not just in my playing. In my attitude, in my interactions with "co-workers," in my ability to be an entreprenuer. He would often go totally out of his way to see that a student of his would be presented an opportunity that would benefit his/her career. I guess it's just really nice not having to put up with all the b-shit. Not having to hear that everyday makes it easier focus on the positives. But man, if I ever begin focusing on the negatives this could turn in to quite the rant/blog.

It's almost November and I couldn't be happier about that. Any ideas for a halloween costume? I know you're dissapointed with me M...I haven't come up with anything yet. Not too concerned either way.

Thanks for coffee Kelley.

I can't f'n wait for the election to be over, so tired of everything. It's fitting that the campaign's that help to determine who will run this country are made up of nothing but fake smiles and back-stabbing.

Man...I got's to study.

2004-10-26T15:47:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I feel nothing at all. Today is fine really, but I don't really feel one way or the other. I think I've turned in to a lyric in a modest mouse song.

I do know that I got hired to play with the North Manchester University Orchestra in November. North Manchester, Indiana that is.

I'm not as boring as I seem, really

2004-10-26T15:11:00.000-05:00

Well the Symphony I spoke of before who I rehearsed with yesterday isn't very good. Work is work I guess. I had lesson this morning in which my professor told me (without actually saying the words) that I would have an AI position next year.

Good news. Wow, a parking pass! My duties would consist mainly of teaching drumset lessons to music, and non-music majors.

It seems like I should have a lot more to say. I'll try and type more later.

2004-10-24T16:20:00.000-05:00

I'm starting to think that aside from other obvious reasons, my bad moods are being perpetuated by listening to too much Elliott Smith. I think I'll cut down a bit. I am hooked on the new album.

I have my first rehearsal with the Lafayette Symphony tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes. They pay for gas $!

I wouldn't give The Day After Tomorrow the most glowing recommendation. Better than The Perfect Storm, but not by much.

The 14/15 week semester seems so long to me right now. I'm used to a quick and easy 10 week term out in Oregon. I'd be almost done with a term by now if Indiana were on that system. I have to adjust my thinking on this.

Bloomington other than that is beautiful right now. I'm really enjoying the Autum-ness.

Don't anyone panic, I bought an umbrella

2004-10-23T17:36:00.000-05:00

My sistah sent me some bread. Bannana? Pumkin? I don't know yet. Exactly one month from today I'll be in Portland. I'm listening to Deerhoof. They have a song called "satan," which really everyone should.

Am I excited about the start of the NBA season?

I slept in til 11:00am.... f. yes.

What else. I'm sorry to hear about your job Mr. Random. Hope you find something to fill the void, and quick.

2004-10-22T18:32:00.000-05:00

I'm feeling more and more like I'm fitting in here.

voting early-I think

2004-10-20T15:00:00.000-05:00

I finally got my voter registration card in the mail. I thought I was gonna have to bust some heads for awhile there. more coffee please.

2004-10-19T20:25:00.000-05:00

Only one more day of putting up with playing in the Chamber Orchestra, which is something I would have enjoyed a lot more if it wasn't for the conductor. Then I get a week off from playing in school ensembles. This will be nice. Should get me a bit more practice time. Glad that it wasn't so rainy today. Yesterday was miserable. Reminded me of Oregon. I'm feeling like I'm falling behind in the "academic" part of my school...well just the music history part.

I still need a bike.

soaked right through to the skin

2004-10-18T09:43:00.000-05:00

It's a beautiful stormy Monday here in B-town. Woke up to thunder and lightning this morning. Briefly considered staying home, but then thought better of it. Here's some advice to everyone...something I wish someone would have told me earlier: when you move somewhere new, make sure you unpack your umbrella and put it by the front door. Ya, couldn't fine the umbrella.

Happy birthday Shannon! 28.

Time isn't moving fast enough. I'm getting desperate for a trip home to be with friends and family. Trying to just not think about it. I wish it was November.

Libra

2004-10-15T19:17:00.000-05:00

Hey Brian,

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile...sh*t I haven't posted in awhile on my own blog! School is sooooo time consuming (12-13 hours a day there). I really shouldn't be working outside of my TA-ship but the extra money is so nice...speaking of work I can't type long because I must be getting ready to go there now. I wish you were in town because Jamie and Ramin are coming up tomorrow night around the time I get off of work to help me celebrate my Birthday.
My sister Jessica will have her third baby by one week from now. If she doesn't have "it" before then they are inducing on next Friday. I hope it is a girl...ahhh
Love ya man and hope to quit playing phone tag soon!

2004-10-13T15:01:00.000-05:00

Well, Kelley has come and gone. It was pretty darn nice having her around. Hopefully Bloomington is growing on her (eh?). Not sure if I mentioned this before but I got called to play timpani for the Lafayette Symphony next month. This is a big relief/victory. There's so many percussionists around here I thought I would never get any calls. It's to finally get a chance play out. I will no doubt be sporting leather wrist-bands. Punk-rock timpani we like to call it. I play just out of tune enough to be punk sukkas!!

What else. It's finally looking like October here. The leaves are changing. It's getting cold. I put an offer down on a bike at the local bike co-op, which is a local group of kids who fix up used bikes and then sell em fer cheep. I sure hope that works out.

Fantasy basketball: For all you closet basketball nuts (Megan?) who are interested in getting pounded into submission...you should join our league. email me, or reply if interested. Ya aint got it in you for a three pete Dan. The laws of physics are against it. Don't ask me how, they just are. How the hell is France for crap sakes!

I'm spending this Saturday at another high school marching band competition, which I'm actually looking forward to. I'm really enjoying teaching these kids. They're really in to what they're doing, and really appreciative of my time spent with them. Man it feels good to teach again.

Elliott Smith's record comes out next Tuesday. Gotta get back to work.

Until next time.

theb

Hey you guys!

2004-10-07T09:34:00.000-05:00

Y'all should like, post stuff here...tell me what your up to. I AM curious. Except Dan, France doesn't interest me at all.

good weekend coming up

2004-10-07T09:21:00.000-05:00

T-minus 34 hours until Kelley gets here. She'll be here for the weekend, then flying out on Monday. I'm praying to the volcanoe god's to hold off on Mt. St. Helens until AFTER her plane has left PDX.

The weekly grind of catching the bus at 7 every morning is starting to ware me down. I don't have the stamina I used to, been missin some class. Tired as hell. Pretty glad it's Friday tomorrow. woot.

As previously reported Ween is coming. The Helio Sequence is also making a stop in Bloomington. These are old friends of mine of whom you've probably heard of. I'm hoping they can stay at my place while their here, it would be good to see 'em. So hey there's actually some music coming through town! Considering seeing Guided by voices, not sold on it yet though.

Mari (a new Indiana friend) and I went to a tiny little bar a few blocks from my house the other night. And I mean tiny. Great place, probably be going back there. There are way too many "frat-type" bars in this town. The aforementioned bar however is not, nor is the Second story, I like that place.

Mr. Random, I tried to tune in to your show via cyberspace on Tuesday but had to run out the door. Next week I hope to catch a taste of Eugene. Glad to see that the Crash Engine boyz are getting some spins.

Trying to not feel homesick. It's been easier lately, having people to hang with. Weekends are tough though. This one coming up should be good.

twist the little hoosiers

2004-10-01T15:33:00.000-05:00

I know I've been a bad blogger as of late. Things are starting to shift gears around here. Today marks the end of week 5. One week until Kelley visits. And 54 days until I fly in to PDX for Thanksgiving. Countin the days. Things are fine. I started teaching at a high school about 40 miles north of here. Good kids. Good drummers. Bad horn section. Good situation for me. I witnessed the terrors known as powder puff football yesterday, yikes.

What's up M. Random

I'd also like to give a shoutout to Testface who rocks it tonight at John Henry's.

You're not goint to believ this: Ween is coming to Bloomington. No I'm dead serious, unless Pollstar.com is lying to me. In an otherwise really slow time for good live music here (unless you count Bob Dylan exciting at his age), this is a god send. I'm a kid in a fucking candy store. November 10th I think?

I'm so f'n there.

The new Tom Waits is super good. It takes me back to the days of Bone Machine. It's quite a bit more aggresive over all compared to 'Alice,' and 'blood money,' which is good as far as I'm concerned. Hey does some crazy sort of flemmy beat boxing...I know you're skeptical but it's very cool.

hmmmm

The hero otherwise known as Mark Swartz has re-designed his Built to spill web site. I've been spending way too much time at the computer. Anyway, he's trying to get permission from the band to post a recording of the 9-11-04 show from the Crystal ballroom on the site. Keep a look out.

lazy part deux

2004-09-25T15:30:00.000-05:00

Saturday afternoon. I turned the alarm off this morning, next thing I know it's 1:10pm. Well, it's Saturday. The most exciting bit of news is that there is a Tom Waits record coming out in two weeks:

http://media-02.epitaph.com/Tom_Waits/index.html

I can't wait. As we have already covered, a bunch of interesting music is to be released pretty soon.

I got tipped off to some T. Waits being on the internet somewhere so I've spent my few waking moments today listening to an mp3 and day dreaming of the day Tom's going to call and ask me to play marimba for him. C'mon Tom.

I'm now a registered voter in the state of Indiana. I played in an opera last night. Boring, but it was my first IU performance.

Happy birthday Sean Thommen (belated), I'm glad that you decide to come back from the woods. One of these years you're just going to stay up there.

For my composer friends: What do you guys think/know of Peter Klatzow? I'm debating beginning work on his marimba piece: Dances of Earth and Fire.

Hang in there Megan. My sistah is bummed out in Walla Walla, Washington. Take some time for yourself.

To Kidd, or not to?

2004-09-24T16:39:00.000-05:00

Mr. Random, if you're reading this, I do enjoy your music calendar. Sure there are other ways for me to get my 'whats happening in Eugene fix,' but it just wouldn't be the same.

It's Friday. My first IU performance will be tonight. I'm playing in La Boheme, an opera by Puccini. I think I've mentioned this before. Anywhoo, I got's to go make sure my tux still fits me.

Kelley's coming on the 8th of October!

That's two weeks from today, pretty exciting.

I have mixed feelings about this whole Jason Kid trade proposal. For those of you in the dark: New Jersey offered Kid to Portland in exchange for Abdur-Rahim. For one thing, I don't think we would sink without Shareer...I think if last season taught us anything, Zachary can hold it down. I don't think it's any secret who would be getting the better end of this trade. But what about his knee? He's just had knee surgery and is supposed to sit out the first month of the season (at least). AND what would this mean for Van Exel? So many questions...

Would Van Exel be ok playing second fiddle (he) to Kidd? Then what of Damon SToudamire...the only Blazer who's been around for more than a couple of years, where would that leave him.

Chime in with your thoughts here y'all. Kelley, I know you have some strong feelings here.

2004-09-22T15:44:00.000-05:00

I auditioned for the Lafayette Syphony on Sunday. It's about 2 hours north of here, and for some reason the percussion audition was held at 9pm. There were other auditions throughout the course of the day, but that was just too late. Hated having to drive home in the dark not really knowing where I was going. I could have played better, could have played worse.

I'm still relatively new at this whole taking auditions thing... need to do it more, get some jitters out of my system. It's such a different sort of head trip.

I've had opera rehearsals every night this week from 7-10...yawn. What a bore. I can't wait for it to be over. Been catching up on my reading though. I also just confirmed that I'm going to start assisting with the percussion instruction Mooresville HS. Pretty psyched about this. I won't pay well, but will be first introduction to the marching scene, and hopefully will lead to much needed networking.

School is fine unless I start thinking about things like research comitees, deadlines, and degree requirements, bleh.

I've been caught up in hurricane fever lately. Hurricane season is CRAZY!! Did you now there is a Jeanne AND a Carl! wooh. I met a girl from Louisianna who said that all the college kids throw crazy parties on the rooftops when the hurricanes are approaching. School is cancelled, nothing else to do. Crazy.

2004-09-20T11:34:00.000-05:00

I'm getting a slow start today. It's proving to be pretty tough to make it to 8am classes every day. Especially when the professor basically outlines the reading that we had to have done for that day. I audiioned for the principal percussionist of the Lafayette Symphony last night. Lafayette is two hours north west of here, and about two hours south east of Chicago. I don't know why the audition had to be so late. My time was 9:05, but of course I didn't end up playing until 9:45 or so. I did alright, not great. Every time you take an audition they get easier. This was my 4th professional type audition.

I'm waiting to hear on a couple of potential teaching opportunities. Usually this time of year I'm teaching marching band back home, but being an unknown out here as left me with no job. Another DM student at Indiana teaches at a high school about 30 minutes away who might have me come out once a week to help out. There's also one more position at a high school that I'm waiting to hear about.

I got's to catch the bus. Much love to Dan D. who left on a jet plane today for Frances. Bonvoyage.

Why don't you go and get blogged

2004-09-14T20:13:00.000-05:00

New music up-date. I was feeling like the only person in the world who hadn't heard the new Elliott Smith record yet. No, it's official release isn't until next month, but you know how these things tend to leak. Finally I stumbled upon a link that took me to Elliott. I have every intention in buying it when it comes out.

Whoever it was who said that was a lot like Either/or, I'm not sure what you're talking about. I haven't had a lot of time to digest it the past few days as I've been supa busay (I'm with Busey?), but I'm pretty happy with the songs. Something about the strings on Figure 8 pushed the "over-production" over the top for me. While Kill Rock Stars Elliott was charming in it's lo-fi hopefully everybody had started to come to grips with the fact that those days are gone. But despite the fact that I'm listening to mp3's, it could be a lot fucking worse. I think people are waiting for an excuse to point a finger and say the dreaded words: Sell out. I wish that people would just get over themselves. Just because you were listening to Modest Mouse in 1995 doesn't make you more punk rock than anyone else. They've grown up, you should try looking into that. Who am I talking to?

Back to the topic at hand: Elliott's new record. It's bittersweet. It makes me sad. But it's pretty f'n great. If anyone wants I'll email you the link if you promise to buy it when it comes out.

I can't say too much else about it just yet, but BEST DREAMWORKS RELEASE? Yes, probably.

Somebody sent me Chevron's new record in the mail. I'd be lying if I told you that I wasn't listening to it as I walk to school. Me likey.

www.schapendoesrecords.com

Pellet Gun mixing is set to comense pretty soon I think? I'm looking forward to hearing our record. A musician who doesn't have rough tracks of his/her recording to listen to is like a... well it sucks. Dave Snyder (the D) will be updating pelletgun123.com pretty soon with some live recordings and other such goodies.

And now back to the practice room. I miss everybody. Drinking alone isn't as fun.

2004-09-11T16:22:00.000-05:00

Funny story. Kelley, my better half, volunteered at NW Musicfest yesterday. She was working at Lola's room checking wristbands. When some dude who only had a hand stamp thought he could just waltz right in to the room wristband-less! Kelley had to set the confused man straight. It seems that he thought the Sub-pop showcase was at Lola's when in fact it was across town. This confused individual turned out to be Issac Brock. Kelley didn't realize this at the time. Funny stuff. She refused him entrance!

I have a funny Issac Brock story as well which I will save for another time. Now I have to emerse my self in gregorian chant. sweet.

Kelley here: Oh, yes, I have the power. Maybe I should tell your story, hm? No, I won't. But I do tell people from time to time when the guy comes up in conversation.

You left out the best part, though. When he was all set straight, the girl told me who it was (clearing up why she said, "...Isaac?"). Oh, really, I thought out loud, "I thought he was taller!" And just as I finished saying this, I noticed that he had come out of the bathroom. So, I insulted him, too! Not that I really refused him entrance. We were really just trying to set 'im straight.

What if I was in Oregon this weekend?

2004-09-10T17:40:00.000-05:00

I'm seriously bumming missing out on all of the great music this weekend. With Musicfest NW in Portland, AND the Eugene celebration there's is a lot of great stuff. Oh if I was in Portland tonight...

I'd definitely be at Kelly's Olympina at 9 sharp for the Visible men
Then I'd book it over to the Roseland theatre for Deerhoof at 10:00. Man I'd love to see Deerhoof, I would be remissed however at missing my chance to see Old Time Relijun again.

Then it would probably be on to Dantes for the Thermals, and probaby the Helio Sequence. Dude.

Not sure where'd I'd be if I was in Eugene...probably to John Henry's to see the Shudders. Hey Dan Jones why aren't you playing this year?

What'll I really be doin in Bloomington, IN tonight? I'm feeling crazy. Maybe I should leave the house. We'll see about that.

props to Clyde the Glyde and his being inducted into the hall of fame. Fun fact: I once was at the urinal next to him, and yes he is tall. Kelley was so impressed that he threw away his popcorn bin after the movie.

If anybody really wants to make me happy, send me some Roma coffee. What I wouldn't do...ohh and maybe a croissant.