Open-faced turkey.

Well, the parents are in town, and we went to Cafe Hon for dinner, and it was fine, although the place was noisy so Jeannie had to strain her voice a little bit to be heard, which ain't good. But it was fine. My parents came back to the apartment and we gave them birthday cake and presents and drank tea. It was nice. I think they enjoyed seeing the place and they're glad they're here.

Today at work I almost had to blow up like a bomb because they put up a notice that nobody could request days off between Nov. 20th and Dec. 31st. Oh hell no! I shall not stand for such B-crap! But I had a talk with Donna (bosslady) and she said that was just so that when everybody asks off for Christmas week she can tell them to go blow it out their bloody arses. She said that Jeannie and I can get some days off to travel around the holidays. But I'm guessing we won't have much time in St. Louis over Christmas. Which is why everyone should come visit here! Yum, Baltimore in winter!

Even though I haven't told anyone (except Jeannie) about this here B-log, I feel like I'm writing a bit differently now that I'm considering coming out of the closet and telling people I have a B-log. I've always written with certain people in my mind as an audience, I guess, but it feels different now that people I know might read this sometime. Well, I'll do my best to not try to feel pressure to be witty or funny, because when I do that I usually end up drinking to much gin and tonics and then spend a day and a half puking and sleeping in Jen and Brad's bathroom. Ah, I can't wait for Thanks-giving.

Just for the record, I think the funniest sentence I've written in this B-log is "Look out, that's a tasty burger." The funniest phrase is "aforementioned nuts."

Jeannie's going to bed. She just kissed me on the head and said she loves me. It's raining outside, has been all day. The air is a little bit heavy and humid, and the only things I hear right now are the steady hum of the laptop, the sound of the rain outside which is the same consistancy but a little bit higher, and the refridgerator--layers of hums.

Is "Look out, that's a tasty burger." actually a sentence? Does it have all the necessary sentence-parts? Anyone?

Addendum. Is that a real word?

Just thought I'd add -- Been listening to the latest Sigur Ros album. Very good mid-tempo background music. All the vocals sound like they're backwards. Only negative feedback I have for the band is that sometimes the vocals sound like a cat meowing. Which is great for somebody like me who likes to meow along to songs, but bad for people who don't.

I've also been on a Brian Eno kick after reading his book "A Year with Swollen Appendices."

Self Flagellation.

Ok, today I realized, after looking at people's Blogs, that I do not write in mine nearly enough. I think this is because of a few reasons.

1. I'm not a very good writer, and I always find it to be a little bit of a chore. Kind of like exercise, one of those things I feel like I "should" do in order to be a better person., but secretly hate.

2. My life is happily, blissfully un-interesting. I think one of the things I'm most thankful about is that I have genuinely talented, interesting friends--because it takes the pressure off of me to actually have a life. When I hang out with them, they bring the life.

I added a picture to my profile today, and I think I look pretty intelligent in the picture, but after re-reading through old posts (and showing the whole blog-thing to Jeannie for the first time) I realized that I write mostly about eating and farting. Which is fairly appropriate, but I guess the truth about me lies somewhere in between the picture and the words.

Lots of visitors. Robin and Gena came for a great quick visit that involved lots of wine drinking and conversation and muffin-eating. My 'rents are coming this weekend. Then Schlueter in early November, and I hear a rumor of a potential Ricky Elz visit in November? I sure hope so. 'Twould be a good time.

Too many stories about work to tell here.

Now that Jeannie knows about this blog, and I'm thinking of telling other people about it, I suppose I shall be guilted and forced (in a good way) to write more. It does seem to shrink distances when I read other people's.

Vacation in Geektown

Howdy.

It's been awhile, again, but mostly because we've had visitors here. Karista was in town for about 5 days, and we went to Ocean City for 2 days, and we went to DC, and hung out a bit here. Then the Beej was in town, and he introduced Pat and I to a new geek card game called Anachronism, which is actually quite fun. He and I were able to do our perhaps new tradition of hitting the Rec Room for burgers and gin and tonics. Holy Damn the burgers there are good.

Work has been slightly frustrating, but still enjoyable.

The weather's been hot and gross, but Jeannie and I have been taking walks again before we go to bed. It's nice and relaxing and I really enjoy it.

That's about it, really. We're going camping next weekend with Pat and Aimee, hopefully the waves will be big and the weather won't be too gross. Until next time.

Back from the Dead

I'm back, writing for the first time in a long time. Haven't been around Baltimore or haven't felt motivated.

Jeannie and I went on vacation to St. Louis, which was fun, and we've been back about 3 weeks and life has gone back towards normal. She had surgery again and is recovering and jobless for awhile. My life is the same, still working on music and working at the B and N.

Some memories from the last few weeks:

1. Had a strange argument with my sister while in St. Louis. Strange because it's the sister I feel closest to.

2. Jeannie and I went to Rocks State Park and went swimming in the rapids (which was fun and awesome) and I lost my wedding ring in the river as I was going through the rapids and put my hand on a big rock. When I took my hand off, the rock just slipped the ring right off my finger. That part sucked. But the rest of it rocked.

that is all for now. Jeannie is home.

Not Dead Yet.

I've just been too busy to write. MIDSUMMER opens tonight and Jeannie and I have been putting in our time working on the set.

Had a great night last night. I got home from the rehearsal early (around 8) and I could tell Jeannie wanted me out of her hair because she had a lot of work to do, so I called BJ and we met at the Rec Room for burgers and drinks. Maybe it's because it's been a long time since I had a real good burger, but damn it tasted good. I mean, holy shite that burger was good. Look out, that's a good burger. It's also been a long time since I've gone out and had a few drinks and shot the shat with a good buddy, and it was good to see the Beej, and he looked like Allen Ginsberg.

My back is sunburned from working on the set Monday and Tuesday, and since yesterday afternoon, on and off, it has been itching uncontrollably. It would be very comic if it wasn't so uncomfortable.

3 am

Stayed up late last night, listening to old songs, searching for any nuggets that might be floating around back there. Listening to how the music has changed over the last couple of years. I think I'm finally out of the "instrumental that leads nowhere" phase, although I definitely still have those that keep popping up, but for the last month or so I've been very interested in working with a lot of vocal lines and focusing the songs on the vocals.

I'm enjoying a little snippet of a song I worked on the other day. It's called 'crazy.' I like it because I think if somebody hung out with me for a day and followed me around while I piddled around the apartment doing the things I do, at the end of the day they would feel something similar to what they would feel at the end of listening to the song in headphones.

Enough about stupid songs that nobody will hear. Life is fine.

On the Pot

I have been remiss. Been too busy to write, which is odd. When it rains it pours. Working on MIDSUMMER set, and it's going well.

Some thoughts from the last couple of days:

1. Working Friday night with Jeannie on the set, both of us in work clothes, it's getting late and we're cutting wood, drawing things out with no music on or anything, and it's quiet and fun and peaceful. Joking, yelling back and forth between the buzzing of the saws. And after awhile Wayne Willinger comes in, for some reason, and he's giggly and confesses to us, "I'm an occasional pot smoker..." and he's high and funny and sweet. He's so nice, there to pick up "wigs and ladies' dresses" for a show that the autisitc kids he works with are putting on. He cranks up the radio, because the station is going to be playing a black sabbath album all the way through-- he's been waiting for it all day...it was an odd night, sweet, fun.

2. Not much else. Strange dream last night involving Rich. Haven't been eating too well.

none.

haven't written in a few days. been working more, and starting to work on the set that I've been procrastinating.

Some things from the past few days:

1. Going out and getting some Chinese food with Jeannie, at the cheap little place in Hampden. It's a great little place, narrow and deep, and I enjoyed sitting at the counter waiting for our food and looking out at the street through the bright, pale blue neon sign. And watching the woman make fresh sushi. It was a scene that was cheery and sad at the same time. Chinese restaurants always make me sad in a good way.

2. Getting through work yesterday without having to talk to a new manager who I don't like and who makes me unhappy to go to work. So yesterday was a good day.

Two days off of work starting today. I put some new strings on the guitar and hooked it up with some open tuning.

.5

Happy 6 monthiversary to me and Jeannie. Ain't life strange n' grand.

Didn't sleep well last night. Too many thoughts about work and the set that I've been procrastinating.

Drove to the Giant-G this morning to buy some sausage, as I had a hankering for a big greasy egg, sausage and toast breakfast. Also bought loaf of bread.

Things to remember from yesterday:

1. Hi-5's with Jeannie watching THE APPRENTICE. Quick 7 minute walk and then watched some of ER.

2. Jeannie asked me something while she was asleep in bed last night. Both of us remembered this morning that she asked me something, but neither of us remember what it was. It must have been strange, though, because when she asked it, I said to her, "Are you asleep?"

None

What a day.

Long day of work today, and Jeannie's not home yet, so I don't know what to do with my evening. I want to go walking cause it's so damned nice outside.

Things to remember about yesterday:

1. Walked to the Giant-G for floss and bubble bath. Put way too much lotion on my hands and had to use my elbows to open the door and wipe my hands on the grass.

2. Been reading Stevie's BLOG. He's more articulate than I used to give him credit for. Maybe he'll amount to something someday.

3. Layed in bed wondering if, in fact, I do not have enough ambition, creativity, or intelligence to ever have a job that seems somewhat interesting and pays well. The only quality that I am sure that I have in abundance is love for Jeannie and my friends, and I don't think anyone's going to pay me for that anytime soon.

4. Delicious black beans and rice with sausage for dinner. Gave me the farts somewhat fierce. Farted in bed and Jeannie had to get up and light a match. Sorry.

Fudge Factory.

Jeez. What to do with the day.

Things to remember from yesterday:

1. Quiet night at home alone. Watched TV ate rice with sweet and sour sauce, and aforementioned handful nuts.
2. Brush teeth and jokes in bed in the dark. Ha Ha.
3. Slept with fan on.

What am i doing? There's no one there.

I just ate a big handful of honey roasted peanuts.

There's not really that much else to tell, actually.