Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Weekend Wrap Up

Just go here. The only thing I could add would be on Sunday afternoon, while the rest of the family was napping and reading, I was transcribing bluegrass tunes! Yup, just like I said I wanted to on the Friday Fill In. And I did play the bass in church Sunday night. Quite a few clams, but not at all bad for a drummer sight reading on a bass. I'm not sure if the congregation preferred the bass or the drums, and I can't play both. Maybe congregants who read here will post a comment.

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Friday, April 25, 2008

Jim Takes the MI-5 Wheel

1. What is your personal policy regarding locking your car?
~I lock it 99.9% of the time. The only time it's not locked is when I forget. My car ALWAYS has a drum set in it, along with a cymbal bag full of hard to replace and beloved cymbals. On top of those, you'll also find CDs, and who knows what other music equipment might be in there at any given time. So I leave it locked, even in my driveway.

2. If you had to do it all again would you choose the same career path?
~Probably not. When I started college, I wanted to be a musician. Then an English teacher. From there I sorta fell into P/R. I like that. I probably should've majored in Communications and Marketing. On a strange side note, I also thought about majoring in Philosophy at one point. Now that I'm 20 years older, I'm thinking maybe I should start some college work in Theology--a field not that far away from Philosophy.

3. What is something you hope to do this summer?
~Get my house back into shape. The deck needs painting, as does the foundation. Maybe some windows in the basement. A new bathroom sink? Perhaps.

4. Tell us something you are thankful for right now.
~My inlaws. They've got my kids this weekend, and Susan and I have a night out planned! We're going to a restaurant we've not been to before, and I haven't told Susan where that is. I'll tell you later.

5. Tell us of a book, movie, tv show, webisode, author, CD, musician, comedian or any form of entertainment you have been digging lately.
~I've been listening to a lot of "Track 14: Bluegrass" on my XM radio. TV? I'm not really following anything with any rigor, but we are taping "Deadliest Catch." But if it didn't tape one night, it would be no big whoop. For comedians, I like Frank Caliendo and Mitch Hedberg. And Maine's Bob Marley. CD? My mom bought me a Shelly Manne CD from my Amazon wish list, and that's seen a lot of time in the CD drawer.

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

The Friday Fill-In

The Friday Fill In

As always, my answers are in bold

1. When I fell in love, she was filling the milk cooler!
2. I kinda dig it when the flowers bloom and it heats up outside!
3. Oh no! The internet connection is down, and the phone is ringing off the hook! Where is JP?
4. "Lost" is the craziest tv show ever.
5. Cheese and cake--as in cheesecake-- makes a great meal!
6. Yummy sweet corn grows in a garden. I want some!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a special dinner with Susan, tomorrow my plans include going to the circus and Sunday, I want to transcribe bluegrass tunes!

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Thursday, April 24, 2008

I Bought a Bass

I've made no secret about my love of bass guitar. If I weren't a drummer, I'd be a bass player. About a year ago, Paddy moved away, and cut me a really great deal on his '51 Fender reissue. Then, he moved back into town, and well, needed it back. So I sold it back to him. That was the first bass I ever owned.

Lately, I feel as if I should start a "Gospel Grass" band: a bluegrass band playing gospel music. Of course, there's no drummer in a bluegrass band. So I thought "I'll play the bass. That'll give me an excuse to have a bass around the house." So I called Northern Kingdom, the greatest music store in the world, and told them I what I had planned. They told me they had one of these in stock. Not two days later, Paddy called me. He found a new bass amp he wanted to buy. That meant he needed to raise some cash, so he was going to sell his Vox amp. Well look-ey there! It's an old-timey looking guitar, and an old-timey looking amp, and God just about put them in my lap!

I went to NKM, and played the bass. It was ok. The problem for me, though, was that it basically had one sound: FAT! It was big, warm, round bass. And, that's perfect for bluegrass. But what happens when I want to play some other style? Maybe something that requires a little more brightness, a little more snap? I've always liked J basses. I liked what I called the "forward hunching" look of the body. I later learned it's called an "offset waist." What's an offset waist? Look at this beautiful Jazz bass. See the curve on the top and the bottom of the bass? See how the centers or the curve are not directly above each other? The top curve is in front of the bottom curve. That's the offset waist, and that's what gives it that forward leaning look I like. Fender offers a new Squire line of affordable (cheap!) basses, and NKM had a black J bass in stock. It doesn't sound as fat as the P bass, but it does have two pickups, so it offers more tones. It was also a few bucks cheaper. So, I bought it yesterday. I figure if I want to give it a more old-timey look, I can get a tortoise shell pickguard for it.

Paddy's supposed to drop off the amp today. So I'm hoping I'll be playing bass this Sunday evening in church, getting my bluegrass chops honed!

Feeling: Parched

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Monday, April 21, 2008

Shootin' Out Some Thanks

I've got some overdue props to throw out, here. Prop getters, you've been on my mind, I just haven't gotten you down on paper (or screen) yet. First, to my Mom. She bought me a neti pot. What's a neti pot? Well, it's like a little teapot you fill with salt water. You stick it in your nose, tip your head, breath through your mouth, and pour. Water flows in one nostril, and out the other. I know, it seems awful, but people swear by the results--it really cleans out your sinuses! :-) I wanted to give it a try, but I didn't want to spend nigh on $20 for something I didn't know if I'd like or not. Mom found a less expensive plastic model (most are ceramic), so she snagged it for me. I love it! I use it twice a day, usually: once in the morning, once at night.

Next, Pete Tyler from the office noticed my stress level had been a little higher than normal. To wish me a "happy Easter" (it didn't arrive until after Easter, but he kept calling it my Easter present), he bought me the Best of the Outfield from my Amazon wish list. Thank you, Pater!

Today, after I'd dealt with a somewhat rude customer, Cal (another office guy) said to me (to the effect of) "You handled that the way your dad would have."

I told him there probably wasn't a bigger complement he could give me.

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Friday, April 18, 2008

My Beloved's MI-5

My beloved says: "Here are some more questions from "You Gotta Be Kidding!" a book I purchased at Julia's book fair several months ago. The only rule is: You must choose from one of the 2 answers, "neither one" is not an acceptable answer. If you would like you can explain your choice."

Would You Rather:
1. Sleep each night with 2 harmless bats in your bedroom OR Always have 5 pigeons hanging out in your bathroom?

Pigeons in the bathroom. I'm in the bathroom for maybe 1/2 hour a day, including showering and everything. I'm in bed for 1/3 of my life! So I'll take the birds I guess. I hope I can potty train them!

2. Sleep on the sidewalk for a week straight in normal weather OR Sleep for 1 night on the sidewalk in the pouring rain?

Read everyone else's answers--we're all thinking alike! I'll take the rain, and get it over in one night.

3. Never be able to smile OR Never be able to dream when you sleep?

I love my dreams, and I have good ones, too! (I'm surprised no one commented on my dream about the death waterpark.) But I'd be willing to give all that up, just so I can smile at you!

4. Not be able to read OR Not be able to talk?

Talk, I guess. My thought is that I could learn sign-language to compensate for not talking, but there really is no way around not reading. (Save for picture menus at McD's.)

5. Bang your funny bone 5 times in a row OR Listen for 20 minutes to someone scraping their nails down a chalkboard?

I can't stand the chalkboard thing, so I'll take the funny bone.

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Friday Fill-In

My answers are in bold

1. The last time I lost my temper I hurt someone I love!
2. Politics is what I'm fed up with!
3. The next book I'd like to read is not in my home right now, or I'd be reading it!
4. The weekend is what I'm looking forward to.
5. If you can't get rid of the skeleton[s] in your closet, get them over to me, 'cause I love skeletons!
6. The best thing I got in the mail recently was some parts for my drum set.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to getting home from a gig in Bar Harbor, tomorrow my plans include sleeping late and raking leaves in the afternoon, and Sunday, I want to mambo from my Mom's house all the way to Spruce Head Island!

Feeling: Much better than earlier this week!
Listening to: The Outfield, thanks to Peter!

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Who You Callin' Depressed?

$4975.00The Cadaver Calculator - Find out how much your body is worth.

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

An Actual Knock-Knock Joke

I think my sons were trying to cheer me up this morning. In addition to their usual nonsense knock-knock jokes, this morning, they decided Little Nell (the cat) could tell knock-knock jokes. Nathaniel would start, and Matthew would translate the kitty's answers for us. The following knock-knock was told to me by Matthew, just this morning. Feel free to use it today on someone.

Knock Knock.
Who's there?
Orange.
Orange who?
Orange you glad I didn't say submarine, nipple, or Eyeore?

Yes, Matthew, we are glad!

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Monday, April 14, 2008

Self Censorship

There was a post that was going to go here. I've decided not to post it. In the post, though, I used the phrase "hovering near the melancholy." I liked it. I've put it here for posterity. It's mine. Don't use it!


Last heard: The Sky is Crying, SRV, Albert King, + BB King

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Friday, April 11, 2008

Friday Fill-In, and a Quiz

My answers are in bold. There's also a "What kind of intelligence do you have" quiz in the "Get More Here" section.

1. I love springtime in Vermont! (It was the first thing that popped to mind. It's a spin-off of an old Jazz tune, "Moonlight in Vermont.")
2. Eggs, bacon, french toast, hash browns, pancakes, toast, and just about any typical breakfast fare are foods I love to eat for breakfast. (I love breakfast!)
3. It seems I'm always searching for a new love. (Again, a song thing. I all ready have real love; I don't need a new one.)
4. Sitting on the couch with Susan is a great way to end the day.
5. I think I need to hire a landscaper! (My lawn is a mess, and it's really depressing.)
6. Cadbury Mini Eggs is what I've been craving lately.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to coming home from my gig, tomorrow my plans include helping Jeff install a water filter at the church and Sunday, I want to get my lawn fixed! (Too bad it will be raining!)

Set this day by the hand of Billy Rhythm [Link] [Get More Here]

My Sister's Restaurant MI-5

My sister said:

"This week's five is a little different... I'd like you to pick five restaurants that you have never been to before. Go to their online menu, and tell me what you would order. I know. I always have food on the brain!"

Now, I've got a problem here. I don't know that I pay that much attention to "restaurants I want to try." I'll see if I can come up with 5. As I start this post, I can only think of two, but here goes!

1. Chick-Fil-A. It's just a fast food joint I haven't tried. Now that I look at their online menu, though, it doesn't look like there's really much to make me jump up and down. I guess I'll take the classic chicken sandwich and waffle fries. To drink? How about a Coca-Cola? That sounds new and interesting! (/sarcasm)

2. Po. It's one of Mario Batalli's restaurants. I'll start with the gnocchi, then have the Veal Marsala and Pan Fried Potatoes. Funny, but here's another menu that doesn't really inspire me. There's nothing there that says to me "Oh man! I gotta try that!

3. Brennan's in NOLA. A place that specializes in breakfast. The place that invented Bananas Foster. I'll start off with the Creole onion soup. Then on to Eggs Owen. And of course, Bananas Foster for dessert.

Now I'm stuck...

4. Eggspectation. I guess I'll try the "Eggsiliration." Or maybe the Grilled Chicken, Spinach, Mushrooms and Three Cheese with roasted pepper sauce Crepes Bretonnes.

I'm stinking at this one. Really, none of this really thrills me. I guess I prefer smaller, more local restaurants. Oh, I haven't been to...

5. Primo. Bing bing bing bing! Now I've found something! How about "Home grown Asparagus cooked on our wood grill...served with Culatello ham, robiola cheese and shaved summer truffles" I'm in!
"Cayuga Duck Breast from the wood grill with crisp potato gnocchi, morel mushrooms and wild leeks." Yes, please! "Sauteed scaloppini of Pork "Saltimbocca" served on a bed of roast garlic mashed potato layered with wilted garden spinach, prosciutto and a sage, mushroom~Madiera jus." Oh yeah!

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Dreaming of Crabs and Death

I've had another set of weird dreams over the last three nights. I'll tell you what I can remember.

On Sunday, I had a fitful night sleeping. I was awake frequently, and it seemed I couldn't sleep for a stretch any longer than an hour or two. At one point I dreamed Susan built an outside, walk-in crabarium. A crabarium? Yup. That's the place you keep your hermit crabs. Susan surprised me by building a giant, screened in crabarium outside our house. It was big enough to have a tree on the inside. I went in, and there were all kinds of things for the crabs to play with and climb on. There were even some crabs in there, and some were very large--about the size of your fist. I even found a turtle inside the crabarium!

Monday night, I had a crazy dream, but I don't remember it today.

Last night, I dreamed I went to this very crazy water park. It was a water park dedicated to people who had been killed in/on/around the water. They offered a swimming area, and a water cruise. First, I started with a swim. That area was fairly normal, though you could see over to the cruise area. I got out of the water, and to get out of the swim area, you went into this wooden building, climbed to the second floor, went through the ticket booth, and out. So as I got to the stairs, I found I could go left or right, up two different flights of stairs. I went right. As I climbed the stairs, I found them full of spider webs. I figured this was the wrong way, and that no one had been here in a long time. At the top of the stairs, the exit had been blocked by steel mesh--like the kind you'd make screen windows from. So I went to the other stairs. When I got to the top, I found the door locked. I went back down to the beach, and yelled up to a lady near an open window in the second floor ticket booth.

"The door is locked," I said.
"Oh, we don't use those doors," she explained. "Climb up here, then come in through this window."

After I did that, I got a ticket for the cruise. The boat drove around the lake, where there were plastic models of people, ships, various scenes, whatever. The captain of the boat guided the tour over a microphone, pointing out the various models, and explaining the tale of woe surrounding each one. "This person drowned; this ship went down, killing all hands..." And on and on. During the cruise, I spotted four bodies in the water, bloated, gruesome. One particularly disturbing scene was a young girl in a pink dress, head down in the water, her legs above the waterline, caught in a thorny bush. The girl's head was just a few inches under the water. I somehow knew she wasn't a plastic exhibit. There were actual dead bodies in this lake.

After the tour, I tried to get the captain's attention. We were separated for a little bit, but I finally caught up with him. He was talking with some other passengers, answering their questions. I pulled him aside, and told him "I think there are four dead bodies in your lake, and I think they're real, and I don't think they're part of your exhibit." He had me get on the boat, and I took him to the place of the girl with the pink dress. I noticed she wasn't there.

"I guess you moved that one," I said.
He smiled, knowingly. "It was a girl in a pink dress, right? I know all about her. She's a ghost. She died there many years ago."

Then, believe it or not, there was a museum of the macabre right next door to the waterpark. Now, Jim, Blind Al, and his wife Lee are with me. We enter the museum, and not only is it a museum, but it's the actual working medical examiner's office for the town. So there are museum exhibits of dead people, as well as just "regular" dead people, waiting for their autopsies. The ME, who also runs the museum, is there to greet us. He has an electric angle grinder in his hands. He comments "Wow, I wish you had been here a few minutes ago. I just had to saw a baby in half, and I could've used an extra pair of hands." I knew this was not going to be good. As much as I enjoy the spooky, a baby autopsy is not on my list of things to see.

Jim, Blind Al, and Lee have by this time entered the main room. There's a wall there you have to walk around, and I can tell by their expressions I don't want to walk around; I don't want to see what they've just seen in that room.

And then I woke up.

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

At a Trade Show

Currently, I'm at the Penobscot Bay Region Chamber of Commerce business showcase. Jane "Kitten" Dagley walked by with pointy toe shoes. I, of course, love pointy toe shoes. I don't know why. It's not like I have some crazy fetish thing, and cruise the pointy toe shoe websites. But I like them, and I'll admit it. Anyway, Jane had some on, and I commented on them. She said "I want a mention on the blog." Here it is!

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Monday, April 7, 2008

Weekend Wrap-Up

Susan's out to dinner with a bunch of the ladies of midcoast.com. So I'm home with the kids. The boys have had their bath, and Julia's in the shower. Perhaps I can get enough time to tell you about my weekend.

Friday night, and I played at GVHS for their musical "Crazy For You." Some of you may remember I played this same show for Medomak high two years ago. Yup, I did. This time, though, GVHS had shows Wednesday - Saturday.

Ok, so you know what I did Saturday, pretty much. I woke up, and made pancakes for the fam. Then I cleaned the kitchen, to include moping the floors. I had a 2pm matinée that ran until about 5pm. I came home long enough to eat some of the steak supper that Susan made. Then back to the final 7pm performance. I was home by 11pm, and in bed around midnight.

Sunday morning was muffins for breakfast, Susan having picked them up the day before at the store. Then church in the AM. Lunch at Mom's was tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Julia stayed at Grammy Nan's, while the rest of us came home to nap. At about 5pm, I rolled over to wake up Susan. Unbeknown to me, Susan was already up, and had been for over an hour! Sunday night was back at church. After church, it was off to Subway for a chicken bacon ranch.

Thus ended the weekend.

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Friday, April 4, 2008

Welcome to the Neighborhood MI5

Amy says: Since we have some new peeps playing along I thought I would do some basic questions. Since I love INSIDE THE ACTORS STUDIO I thought I would use the Bernard Pivot questions asked by James Lipton. Since we only usually ask five questions feel free to just answer the five questions you like best…or answer all 10 for extra brownie points.

1. What is your favorite word?
Hosebag.To me, it means dufus/jerk/punk/whatever. It's just your general, every day, derogatory term. But I like it. I use it all the time, and usually in a joking manner.

2. What is your least favorite word?
There are some derogatory terms for homosexuals and black people that I really don't care for. In fact, I don't care for them so much I won't write them here. I'm also not a big fan of the word "pee." For some reason, perhaps because it seems cute and diminutive, some people have no problem saying "I have to go pee" in a crowded restaurant. I'd prefer "I have to use the bathroom."

3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Good music.

4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
I give up. Susan, what's the answer to this? I can't think of anything. Maybe my better half can enlighten us.

5. What sound or noise do you love?
Snare drums. Thunder. Nice ride cymbals. My children telling me, unprompted, they love me.

6. What sound or noise do you hate?
I'm not a fan of the proverbial "fingers on the chalkboard."

7. What is your favorite curse word?
Hosebag, I guess. I don't really curse.

8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Theology professor. Professional chocolate eater.

9. What profession would you not like to do?
Rock wall builder. Quality assurance on the hagfish production line.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
"Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into my rest."

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Friday Fill-In

Here's the Friday Fill In. My answers are in bold.

1. Tonight I saw Crazy for You, a high school musical. I'm playing in the pit band.
2. James Brown makes me wanna dance!
3. Splitting a few appetizers between friends is a cool way to get lots of different foods. I'm in!
4. Jesus is someone I'd like to get to know better.
5. The smell of fresh air coming through my windows reminds me so much of springtime!
6. She kissed me, and that made it all better.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to coming home after the show, tomorrow my plans include a 2pm matinee and a 7pm closing performance and Sunday, I want to rest!

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Some Quiz From Susan

1. Do you like blue cheese salad dressing? No, but I DO like blue cheese.
2. Have you ever smoked heroin? No
3. Do you own a gun? Several.
4. What's your favorite drink at Starbucks or other specialty coffee shop? I prefer plain black coffee. I wish my order could go like this: "Medium black coffee, please." I HATE the whole "Grande/tall/short/whatever" ordering thing. It's pretentious. As far as having to pick a specialty coffee, I'd say double espresso.
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? No.
6. What do you think of hot dogs? I really like Wasses hot dogs. I'll eat other kinds, though.
7. Favorite Christmas song? "The Christmas Song," as sung by Nat King Cole.
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? "Medium black coffee, please."
9. Can you do push ups? Yes.
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My wedding band, and my father's wedding band. 11. Favorite hobby? Drumming/drum collecting
12. Do you have A.D.D.? What were we talking about? No.
13. What's one trait that you hate about yourself? I need to exercise more.
14. Middle name? Rogers
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment. I have to go to the bathroom, I need more coffee, and I love my wife (who sent this to me).
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Coffee, milk & Fresca
17. Current worry right now? I'd rather not say.
18. Current hate right now? My wife said "Lack of good weather." I think that's a pretty good one. I'm ready for some spring.
19. Favorite place to be? Home
20. How did you bring in the New Year? I played a gig.
21. Do you like to travel? Yes
22. Name three people who will complete this? Beats me. Am I supposed to send it along? I didn't receive any instructions.
23. Do you own slippers? Yes.
24. What color shirt are you wearing? Sage green.
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No, too slippery.
26. Can you whistle? Only on the in-hale.
27. Favorite color? Purple
28. Would you be a pirate? Absolutely!
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't sing in the shower. I listen to the news.
30. Favorite girl's names? Julia, Elizabeth
31. Favorite boy's name? I don't really have a favorite boy's name, but William, Nathaniel & Matthew work for me!
32. What's in your pocket right now? A wallet, comb, keys, cough drops, and probably some change.
33. Last thing that made you laugh? Wow. Sadly, I don't remember.
34. Best bed sheets as a child? I had some Star Wars bed sheets. Now, my boys use them.
35. Worst injury you've ever had? A concussion that left me with about 24 hours of amnesia.
36. Do you love where you live? It's ok, but I wouldn't say I "love" it. I like it very much, though.
37. How many TVs do you have in your house? Two, but only one gets used. If you could use a TV, let me know.
38. Who is your loudest friend? Dwane.
39. How many pets do you have? I don't really have a pet. My family has a cat, and I care for a goldfish at the office, but they're not really pets to me.
40. Does someone have a crush on you? Oh yeah!
41. What is your favorite book? The Bible, specifically Ecclesiastes.
42. What is your favorite candy? Harbor Sweets "Harbor Lights" truffle.
43. Favorite Sports Team? I'm a casual Red Sox fan.
44. What were you doing 12 AM last night? Sleeping. The previous two nights, though, I was playing drums for money!
45. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? That my mouth wasn't all dried up like it has been the last week or so.

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]