Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Unnamed Baby Grave, Rockport ME

Let me tell you a little about my weekend. Friday nite: home. Saturday day: work at the office. Saturday afternoon/evening, I watched the kids so Susan could go to a scrapbooking party. Sunday: Regular Sunday offerings, with church and so on. I worked a little on the riparocks.com site that evening. Monday: My gig in Bangor canceled. I thought about going to get Jim on his return flight from Minnesota, but with the kids being so young, I wasn't sure how it would go. we thought we'd hit the 9am parade in Tenants Harbor, but the boy's sleep schedule wouldn't permit it. So while they (and Susan) were taking a morning nap, Julia and I went cemetery exploring.

Back in 1940, the body of a baby boy was found in a quarry. No one knew who he was, or who he belonged to. The locals raised some money to give him a "proper" burial, with a stone that read "Unknown Baby Boy." I wanted to find that stone. I had a vague idea of where it was located, and I knew the name of the cemetery, so we set out.

We found a cemetery, right where I was told it was. But it wasn't the cemetery. It was a family cemetery. Carleton was the name, I think. So it wasn't the one we were looking for, but we looked around a little. In my macarbre little cemetery rating method (meaning: the creepier, the better), it measure pretty well. We left, I took a turn that I'd never been on. I ended up at the Rockport Fire Station. Knowing that firemen know the directions to everywhere, I told them I was looking for the Sea View Cemetery. He told me where it was, and I actually knew it--just not by name. He then asked if I was looking for something in particular. I told him I was looking for the unnamed baby grave. He told me right where to find it!

Here it is.

Julia and I looked around some more. She, in her almost seven year old mind, wasn't really grasping where we were. I could tell by some of the somewhat inappropriate things she was saying that she didn't realize we should be reverent in this place. She a little cropping of markers with flags around them, and she wanted to go look at them. So we did. As we looped out of that particular lane, we found a little memento on one stone. It was a slice of pine, sometimes used for making crafts, heavily shellaked. On it was a Jeep keychain. Written above the keychain, on the wood, someone had written "We miss you Daddy." As we walked out, the change in Julia's attitude was obvious. As we got close to the car, I asked her if she was ok. She looked up at me, and started to cry.

"Someone's Daddy died" she said.

Of course, that's all it took for me. Once I pulled myself back together, I explained how many of those graves were someone's Daddy. I'm hoping that little lesson will stay with her for a while. I know it will for me.

Going to: band practice
Listening to: Bob Marley, still

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Props to Buddy Swede!

My buddy Jim went out to Minnesota to visit his fiancee. He brought me back some imported Sweedish chocolate and a couple of Krispy Kreme donuts. Krispy Kreme in the microwave nuked for 10 seconds: melt in your mouth!

Eating: Donuts!
Listening to: Bob Marley

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Friday, May 27, 2005

Gina's Memorial Day MI-5

1. With the unofficial start of summer on tap for this weekend, what event, people, thing etc signifies the ARRIVAL of summer to you?
I would have to say it's a toss-up between the first day I drag the grill out, or the first night we sleep with the windows open. Of course, those are more mid-spring activities, but I don't really have a summer ritual.

2. Memorial Day, or Decoration Day, as it was called originally, began as a way to honor the war dead. Many communities hold special events on this day, such as parades. As a child did you participate in any of these events?
When I was very young, my family would go to Tenants Harbor for the parade. It was a small parade, and they would march down to the water, put a wreath on the water, and then march back. Outside the Post Office would be a little ceremony and prayer. The prayer, to my childish mind, went on forever. Then a George's Valley High School student would play Taps all the way through, and after they were done, a trumpeter in the distance would play it back. Then it was inside the Post Office for donuts and coffee, and to buy a paper poppy to support the American Leigon.

In high school, I used to march with the band in Rockland's parade, which was also small. They don't have it now, but it's my understanding some high school students are trying to bring it back.

3. Most, if not all, of us have been to a cemetery. People can leave some pretty strange (at least to us) things on graves. And some headstones have some rather original quotes on them. Tell us about the strangest thing you have seen in a cemetery.
I've not seen anything particularly strange on a grave, but I have seen some gut wrenching stuff on the Viet Nam War Memorial. As far as quotes, I haven't actually seen this one, but it touches me. It reminds me of how terribly fragile life is, and how even the smallest things, like a mud puddle, can be life altering.

4. With Memorial Day just days away, tell us how you would like to be remembered.
My goal is to have a nice memorial stone for my family. I have a penchant for old graveyards, and today's practice of using grey granite rectangular markers is boring for me. Sure, paying many thousands of dollars for a big marker may seem strange to some, but to me, it adds visual appeal to graveyards, and is a way for the family to be remebered after death. If the marker sticks out, people are drawn to it. For those of you from Spruce Head: I bet you all know Mike York's grave. His black granite marker is so different from everyone else's in Ocean View. Even though he died before I was born, I know his name and story because of his grave stone.

For my stone, I'm partial to the winged skull or sad angel motif. I'd also like "In Pace Requisat" on there somewhere too, as well as an epitaph of my own writing. Said epitaph is as yet unwritten.

5. And finally, borrowing a page from The Actors Studio (on Bravo) – Assuming for the moment that heaven is real, what would you like to hear from St Peter (insert appropriate being here) upon your arrival at the pearly gates?
Matthew 25:23 "His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."


Feeling: Hungry!
Listening to: Cantaloupe Island, Herbie Hancock

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Thursday, May 26, 2005

Poetry By Request

For Paddy

"There's bourbon in the desk--
I may just have to go get some."
He said as crossed
across
the floor of his office

It was after three weeks of rain
And four listens of that
Carol King
Album
that he had the breakdown.

"I'm so sleepy, so tired,
I just want to leave
my coat
on
and not fight it right here."



According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Tuesday, May 24, 2005

Jonny Quest

At our church, we recently took delivery of a couple of new puppets for the shows that happen from time to time in Sunday School. One of the puppets was a sheep, complete with turban and granny glasses. There was a "name the sheep" contest. During a sketch, the sheep announced he needed a name, and he wanted a "cool, hip, rockin'" name. I entered the contest with a name I thought was pretty hip: Philadelphia T. Jones. My nephew also entered the contest. His choice? Elvis. So there was a compromise. He became Philadelphia E. Jones, with the E. standing for Elvis. Philadelphia Elvis Jones. It does have a nice ring to it. He's going to be called Elvis for short, as Philadelphia seemed too long.

So, for winning the contest, I got a cool prize. A really cool prize. I got the complete first season on the original Jonny Quest! I started looking at the box, and there were all these cool episodes. All my favorites were on here. And so I started doing some digging.

I started watching Jonny Quest when I was a kid in the 70s. I didn't know that those were repeats. In fact, the show was originally on in 1964, and was only on one season! So this box set has all the original episodes! It seems unreal to me that in '64 they cranked out a new show every week for a season for a cartoon! Oh, and it was aired in prime time!

I'm only three episodes in. It rocks! Julia loves it too, which is nice. So we're watching them together! I can't wait to get to some of my favorites, like The Robot Spy, Dragons of Ashida, and House of Seven Gargoyles.

Watching: Jonny Quest, what else!
Listening to: Roxette

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Saturday, May 21, 2005

Date Wrap-Up

Ahh, last night! It was great! My inlaws picked up the kids, and left a little after six. We were at the restaurant a little before our 7pm reservation. We chose a seat near the spacious windows, overlooking the golf course and the ocean beyond. The menu had changed from what's posted on-line. The entrees were better; the appetizer choices were not as good. The escargots baked en croute I was so looking forward to was gone. The new escargots were now served with fois gras. And for some reason, I just have no desire to try duck liver. So the meal went like this:

1) Complimentary little appetizer. It had it's own French name (it wasn't an appetizer or hors douvre--it was called something else), you didn't order it, and it was just presented to you. It was smoked duck on crostini with onion, pear, and beet remoulade. I'm not crazy about beets, but it was just a little dallop on top. It was served cold, and was very good--a portent of things to come.

2) Soup. Since no appetizer could take the place of my baked snails, I ordered french onion soup. Paddy mentioned it was one of the best onion soup recipies in town. He was right. The new standard for French onion soup is now the Samoset. Susan was having a hard time picking her entree. She was draw to lobster (which she had last time) and a couple of other things. I suggested she try the lobster stew. She did, and reported it yummy.

3) Lemon sorbet. To cleanse the pallete, don't you know.

4) The entrees. There were four different things I wanted to try: duck, pork, pheasant, and the winner: lamb. It was called "duo of lamb." Two lamb chops and a braised lamb shank, served with jus and bernaise. Mashed potatoes that had been sent through a piping bag and broiled. Asparagus (yum!) and snow peas, with a little onion relish on top. Holy cow was this stuff good! The shank, in particular, was amazing. Honestly, I could've made a meal out of nothing but their braised lamb shank. Falling off the bone it was. Susan had apple smoked pork loin, which was also very good. She's a lamb lover too, and we she tried my lamb, it was obvious from the look on her face that she prepared my entree to her own. So I gave her one of my chops, and in return, she gave me a hunk of her pork. Potatoes and veggies were the same for her.

5) Dessert. Bananas Foster for me. I mentioned to Susan that it's so easy to make, there aren't that many ingredients (the banana liquer is the only one we don't already have in the house), and yet I never make it at home. She had some raspberry/strawberry chocolate cake/torte. I was too full; I didn't try hers. She didn't try mine.

Home for a quick change of clothes. Then to see the new Star Wars movie. I feel like most, I guess. Of the three prequels, this one is the best. It maybe is as good as "Jedi," but not on par with the original three on the whole. But it's far and away better than Phantom Menace. That movie is dreadful. The only thing I would've like to have seen is someone taking off Jar Jar's head. (Oh, speaking of that, quite a few people lose their heads in this movie. Heads and arms.)

We slept late (8:30) this morning. Susan's still sleeping. I've made the coffee and bacon, and now have taken a moment to fill you all in. Hope the rest of your weekend is as good as mine's been!

A Mastercard Moment
--
Dinner at the Samoset: $100
Soothing piano music from your old high-school vocal teacher: no charge
Two tickets to the movies: $16
Having all your children go to grandma's: priceless!


Cooking: Breakfast
Listening to: Sade

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Friday, May 20, 2005

MI-5

It was supposed to be Maggi's turn. I maybe stepped on her toes, but when her questions weren't to me by lunch time, I just went ahead and made my own 5. Here they are. Maggi's may be coming by later; we'll see.

1. You're being honored by one of the major award shows (Grammy, Tony, Oscar, Pulitzer, etc.). What one is it, and what is it for?
I'm hoping it's a Grammy. And I'm hoping it's for my drumming performance and/or drum sound for the debut album of my funk band.

2. You're writing a book. Actually, a book and its sequal. What are the two titles?
I've always thought "A Winter of Tuesdays" would make a great title for a book. The follow-up would be "Autumn Fallings." The would both be books of my somewhat depressing poetry.

3. Once, twice, three times a lady. What famous ladies (or guys for you ladies) would you invite to the follow-up party for the prize you got in #1?
So I need three females to hang with me at my post-Grammy party? I'd pick Sarah McLachlan, Lisa Loeb, and if death were not a problem, Billie Holiday. If I can only pick live people, then substitute Billie with Diana Krall.

4. A restaurant is making a sandwich in your honor. What 4 ingredients are on it?
Corned beef, sauteed onions, spicy brown mustard, rye bread.

5. It's five minutes before midnight. What are you doing?
Odds are, I'm sleeping. If not that, I'm rocking a baby. If not that, I'm rocking the drum kit.



According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Thursday, May 19, 2005

Crazy Dreams About Drums

I had another dream. Not last night, but the night before. I was in some shopping mall when my cell phone rang. It was Kevin Pinson, owner of Bearing Edge Drums (the company that made Wellman). Now in real life, talk on the drum message boards is that Kevin is really flaking out. Delivery times are in the one year range, people are sending him stuff to fix and not getting it back, stuff like that. So I've decided that I'll not be doing business with him in the future. So when he called (in my dream) I was real shocked. "Hey Bill, it's Kevin. I've got your drums all done. And I had a delivery to make, so I'm here in Maine (he really lives in Georgia)."

In my dream, my memory was jogged. "I ordered that set from you 16 months ago! It's about time it's done! I completely forgot I had ordered it! I'd just written it all off."

"Nope, I've got 'em right here. 20" bass, 10" tom, and 16" floor tom, in candy apple red." Now I knew something was up. I already have three sets with 20" basses. I have no need for another. And candy apple red? I'd never order that.

"Those aren't my sizes or color" I told him. He shuffled some papers. I could hear it over the phone, and could tell he was in his car. (Isn't it amazing that in my dreams I can hear papers rustling and know the sound came from inside a vehicle, and then wake up and remember that detail?!)

"Oh, sorry Bill. This set belongs to someone else."

"Yeah," I said, "but now that you've jogged my memory, when's the kit I did order gonna be delivered? He hung up on me. But he said he was in Maine, so I decided to find a cop. I found Rockland officer Lloyd Daniels. I explained that this guy from Georgia had my money, didn't deliver the drums, and was now in Maine. Was there anything I could do? He said there was. We began running through the mall, looking for Kevin Pinson.

Officer Daniels then said to me "Kevin's a smoker. Let's go to the mall smoking area. Eventually, he'll show up there. He'll need a smoke." So that's where we went. We staked the place out. Then I woke up.



Just Finished: Nestle Crunch Dark
Listening To: Alana Davis

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Wednesday, May 18, 2005

My Big Moment of Fame

I've made it! I've had a hamburger named in my honor! Special thanks to Lynn and everyone at the Brass Compass for this honor.

Just Finished: four of Susan's home made chocolate chip cookies
Listening to: Macy Grey

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Diner in a Trailer

I'll give you the dream. It started out I was about to take a drum lesson. I was at the corner of rts 131 and 90, right near the old Warren School. Only the school was much closer to the road. And to the left of the school (if you were facing the front door), there was a long row of storage units. I spoke to the guy from whom I was to take the lesson, and asked where the lesson was to take place. "I'm friends with the guy who owns the storage units, and he gives me a good deal." We went to the first small building in the line, and he opened the door. It was completely empty inside, and it wasn't high enough to stand upright. "Since we sit at the drums, the height won't really be an issue," he assured me. "That's fine," I said, "but there's no drum set here." He went over to an overhead garage door at the back of unit, and pushed it up. Behind that door was another storage unit, stuck back to back with the first. Inside that unit were boxes full of cheap drum sets. "All we need to do is put one together, and we can start." he said "Put one togehter?" I said indignantly. "I haven't got time. I need to get to a gig!"

Cut to the gig. The gig is in an old single wide house trailer that has been converted into a diner. The entrance is at one end, with the band stand just slightly to the left as you walk in. If you look right, you can look all the way down to the other end. The bedrooms and such had been ripped out, and that's where the diners sat. I needed to use the bathroom, which was all the way at the other end of the trailer. I went into the bathroom, and recognized that the room had originally been the master bedroom. As such, it didn't come with bathroom plumbing. Instead, there were gym bags. You stuck your, well, thingy in the bag, zipped up around, and let 'er go. So I did. And in my dream, I remember it was a really long pee. It took forever! So as I'm doing my thing, I'm looking at the wall, and there's this little built in shelf. On the shelf is this one gallon glass jar, filled with something. And as I'm peeing, the level of the liquid is going up! It seems there's a vaccuum cleaner hose at the bottom of the gym bag, and my urine is flowing into the jar! And in the jar, I realize, is a dead frog! Yikes!

So I get out of there, step outside the "mens room" into the main part of the dining area, and begin puting on my sneakers. Back at the other end of the trailer, I can see Paddy playing his bass, and Clarke is motioning me back to the stage. I think to myself "We've only been on break about six minutes! Why do we have to start playing again so soon?"

Then I woke up.

Feeling: OK
Listening to: Now I remember--The Band

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Happy Birthday, Honey!

Before the day slips away, happy birthday to my beloved wife Susan.

If I get time this evening, I'll try to post info on new websites I'm working on, new drum widgets purchased, the upcoming weekend, destroying the Koran, and a crazy dream.

Dreaming of: Slingerland Radio Kings
Listening to: I don't remember

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Friday, May 13, 2005

Maggie Blue MI-5

Experiences, memories and emotions related to colors…
Maggie says...

"I have a very strong connections between emotions and certain experiences as related to certain colors. What is the first or strongest emotion or memory that comes to mind when you think about the following colors…"

1. red
Fire trucks. Engine #4. When I first started school at Guilford B. Butler, the town fire station was located in the basement below the school. There were two trucks then: Engine 4 and Engine 3. Engine 3 is ugly Just look at it! Gross. What kid would aspire to drive something like that? No, for me it was Engine #4 that was my love. About two years ago, she sold at auction through the Owls Head Transportation Museum. I've often thought I should ask for the name of the winner, so I could send him a letter asking for first refusal should he ever decided to sell her.

2. blue
Blue reminds me of my "blue" period, circa 1987-88. I had a bit of a funk for a year or two. I read Ecclesiasties frequently, as well as Satre, Camus, O'Neil, and a bunch of other existentialists. In fact, my friend Morgan Holland duped me a "theological existentialist." Eventually, I came full circle. I realized that if this was all life had to offer, I'd better stop moping around and make sure I lived like there was no tomorrow. Some of my favorites from the time period? O'Neil's "Long Day's Journey Into Night" and "Before Breakfast." Also this little gem from Ecclesiasties 4:2 + 3:

"And I declared that the dead,
who had already died,
are happier than the living,
who are still alive.

But better than both
is he who has not yet been,
who has not seen the evil
that is done under the sun."


3. green
Dad's old Rambler wagon was green, and also had a very unique smell.

4. orange
On my first real hunting trip, Uncle Ash took me up above Aurora. (He told me it was always tradition to stop into Mace's store.) I had an old hunter orange vest that came from somewhere, but the straps to tie it closed had come off. Mom sewed some new ties on that she made from white yarn. I remember Uncle Ash was concerned about that little bit of white, and that perhaps a hunter might mistake it for the back end of a whitetail deer. I remember thinking that if some hunter thought three little white strings in a field of blaze orange was the rear end of a deer, then they shouldn't be in the woods at all, let alone carrying a firearm.

5. yellow
Yellow is my mother's favorite color. Yellow was also the color if the Boy Scout neckerchief. I even had my school photo taken in my uniform one year!



According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Thursday, May 12, 2005

A Follow Up To Last Night's Post

Putting the boys in the same room was not the right thing to do. At a little after midnight, Nat woke up crying. His crying woke his brother. So Susan took Nat, and went into our room. I took Matt, and rocked him to sleep in his room. Nat wouldn't go back to sleep, so Susan took him downstairs. She came back up around 3am or so. As soon as she put Nat down, Matt woke up again! She, having been up for three hours already, needed sleep more than me, so I took Matt downstairs for a bottle. And of course, I had to be up at 6am to be at the dentist by 7am. Oh what fun! The plan now is to have them sleep apart; one will sleep in their room, and one (probably Matt, who's usually a good sleeper) will sleep in Julia's room.

Feeling: Like a need some Tums and a nap
Listening to: Paddy Mills, Rocket Ships and Joyous Fits (I played drums on that album!)

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Wednesday, May 11, 2005

Welcome Hank, and the Baby Freak-Out

Just a quick hello to Henry Dugan, my old band mate, radio sales rep, and friend. He told me today he checks in from time to time. I reminded him he should check in every day!

My drum lesson tonight canceled. So that left a "free" evening. I took apart Julia's old bed, and pulled it downstairs. This left room for Susan to set up the cribs for the boys in Julia's old room. No more babies sleeping in our room. Hooray! After I finished that, I brought the CD collection in from the garage and put them away. Then, the boys started crying. Hard. Both of them. Just not happy at all. It's now 8:03. Nat has finally fallen asleep, but Matt's still wailin' away. We haven't even started making supper yet. We're just gonna order a pizza from Snappys. Having twins is a sure fire way to be taught patience. I've gone from having none to having slightly more than none.


According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Monday, May 9, 2005

How Could You Not Love These Two

This photo Susan took is making the rounds. Everyone seems to love it. Why shouldn't they? Dad even brought his copy to church to show everyone. Susan's been printing them out for people like mad.




According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

The Mothers Day Weekend Wrap-Up

Weekend Wrap Up

Friday, I left the office at 4pm, and headed to my gig with the Steel Drum band. We played at this local boat yard/yacht broker, and apparently every other Friday they have a thank-you cookout. The only male steel drummer in the band works there, and got us the gig. It was a little windy, but the rain held off. There was all kinds of food and beverages, and it was a really laid back time. Mike, the band leader, couldn't be there, but we managed ok without him. The one thing the band needs to work on is time. If you start a song at one tempo, you should try and keep it there 'til the end. If it speeds up/slows down a little, that's one thing. But this band likes to race. I kept trying to hold them back, and they keep thinking things were too slow. Hey, I'm just trying to keep the tempo we started with.

Saturday morning, Susan went to a scrapbooking bible study at the church, and Julia had dance class, so I stayed home with the boys. They were well behaved, and when Susan came home, I had already fed them lunch, cleaned them up, and had them down for their afternoon nap. Paddy picked me up mid-afternoon, and we went to our Three Button Deluxe gig for the Mother's Day Dine and Dance at the A/V Nickels Inn. The crowd was small, but appreciative. And as I've said many times, you get more energy from playing to a small crowd who likes what you're doing than you do from a big crowd who doesn't even realize you're there. (The Sea Dog gigs were the worst. The place would be packed, but the clientele were all there to see and be seen. They weren't there for the music. I remember playing an absolutely slaying version of "Red House" at the Sea Dog in Bangor, and having no one clap. I mean, this version burned, and if you know me at all, you know I'm pretty hard on critiquing my own stuff. But that version was hot!)

I got home 'round midnight, and made the pasta salad for the cookout I organized for Mothers Day. While the pasta was cooking, I read The Love Song of Alfred J. Prufrock by TS Elliot. I was reminded of it by a song Paddy and I listened to on the way home.

"For I have known them all already, known them all:—
Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons,
I have measured out my life with coffee spoons;
I know the voices dying with a dying fall
Beneath the music from a farther room.
So how should I presume?"
--TS Elliot

"Someday I'll have a disappearing hairline
Someday I'll wear pyjamas in the daytime
Afternoons will be measured out
Measured out, measured with
Coffeespoons and T.S. Eliot"
--Crash Test Dummies

Ok, so it's a little weird reading TS Elliot at midnight. Well, maybe not.

Sunday, I got up and made Susan (mother of my children) bacon, eggs (over medium), toast and coffee--her favorite breakfast. We got the kids packed up, packed up the food, went to church, and then to Mom and Dad's for Mothers Day lunch. I cooked hamburgers, hot dogs, and brats. Pasta salad was made, as discussed, the night before. Susan picked up some German 'tater salad at the grocery on Saturday. Sunday afternoon I was pooped, so I laid down on the living room floor for a little snooze. The boys were being fussy, so I didn't go to evening church, and stayed home to help Susan. I washed the dishes, and made supper about 8pm, I guess. Bed was 11pm. Nathaniel woke me up at 4:30 for a 45 minute session of nothing, then his brother woke me up at 6am. I woke up tired. I hope to go to bed early tonight.



Reading: TS Elliot
Listening to: Poe

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Friday, May 6, 2005

Jim's Superhero MI-5

1. Who was your favorite superhero as a kid? If you need to tell us more than one then explain.
Spiderman. Why? Well, growing up in downtown Spruce Head, we didn't have cable, so Saturday morning cartoons were limited. In fact, I seem to recall that Spiderman was on Sunday mornings. I always thought--in that kid sorta way--that Spiderman was a superhero you could actually attain to. I mean, he was just a regular guy. He wasn't from another planet, he wasn't from some lost race. As a kid, you almost thought "Hey, all I need is for Mom to make me a suit, build some strap-on wrist web spinners, and I could do that!"

2. Who is your favorite superhero as an adult? If you have none then choose a super type of person such as James Bond or The Shadow.
Ooh, The Shadow! He's pretty cool now, isn't he? Ivory handled stainless .45s? Who wouldn't want those! Plus, a cool fedora and a cape! Or, another option would be Mace Windu. Purple light saber, cool monk-style robe, tall leather boots--that's the stuff! Now if only he got to carry a bowcaster, then he'd have all the bases covered.

3. If you could possess any super power what would it be?
Invisibility.

4. If you could choose any superhero to be your real life guardian until the day you die which one would you choose?
I gotta agree with Jim on this one. Superman can do it all, and has done it all. And if something happened and you got killed, you just have him back up time for you!

5. Did you ever dress up as a superhero as a kid for halloween? If not then tell us the best halloween costume you ever wore.
I don't think I was ever a superhero. My coolest costume was one of my own design. I coupled a Ringwraith (long before they existed) with Death, but instead of carrying a sickle of sword (which I didn't have), I carried a BB gun (which I did have!).



Listening to: Abbey Road, The Beatles

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Wednesday, May 4, 2005

What I Am Into Right Now

1) Latin rhythms. I can't stop listening to Los Lonely Boys and Poncho Sanchez. Those rhythms just make me smile!

2) Cinnamon with coffee. This has been going on for a month or two. Cinnamon buns, oatmeal with cinnamon, brown sugar and cinnamon pop tarts, french toast, whatever. If it's morning, and it's got cinnamon in it, I want it with a cup of coffee.

3) On days that I'm not eating cinnamon treats with my coffee, it's probably a blueberry muffin. Dunkin Donuts has this blueberry muffin that defies the norm: The stump is better that the top. Why? I don't know. But it's true.

4) Speaking of Dunkin Donuts, the chocolate dipped banana late rocks Neddick! Interestingly, Dunkin' D don't have a pic of it on their site. They do have the nutrition information, though. Check out the allergy info. What, in all that is holy, does Dunkin' Donuts have on the menu that contains "crustaceans"?

5) Magic Shell. You know, that stuff you put on ice cream? Susan and I knocked off a bottle in the course of two evenings. Great stuff!

6) M*A*S*H: The Tivo is recording hundreds of episodes. Not all at once, mind. But I bet at any given time, there are a dozen episodes of M*A*S*H waiting for me. I've been going through and culling all the ones I've seen before. I've been a fan for years, and it's amazing how many episodes I've missed. Especially the early ones.

7) Cooking on the Grill: Steaks, chicken, and chops have all had repeat trips to the old Thermos. Hot dogs have made one minor appearance. I've got a pack of brattwurst on deck, but they haven't hit yet. I love my side burner, and as long as it's not too windy, you'll probably find it sporting potatoes or rice or pasta.

So, there you go. What I'm digging right now in life.


Listening to: Poncho Sanchez, what else?!

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Monday, May 2, 2005

Weekend Wrap-Up


So, what went down with Billy Rhythm this weekend? You mean, other than my site's cgi-bin? (No big whoop; you couldn't leave comments for a day or so. It's fixed now.) Let's see. Friday night I was home. We got the kids to bed, and enjoyed nice steaks on the grill, szeschuan vegetables, and lo mein noodles. Delicious! Saturday morning I was at the MIS world headquarters until noon. Then home to watch the boys so Susan could go grocery shopping. At 5pm I left for my gig @ Brian Boru in Portland. 12:30am came, and breakdown was completed by 1:10am. The normal 1 1/2 hour trip was much longer due to the crazy fog! I got into bed at around 3:30am.

Up at 7:45. Had to be on the road by 8:30am to be at my gig in Lewiston by 10am. It was a steel drum festival with about a dozen other steel drum bands there. We were slated to play our three songs at 1:30. Amazingly, everything ran mostly on time. The organizers asked the participants to please stay the whole day. Hey, I'm a hired gun sideman; I can't stay. So back home a little after 4pm. A little play time with the boys, and then a 45 minute snooze before church. Played my "church gig," then took Julia home. Then to Three Button Deluxe practice for the wedding this Saturday. Due to the fact I play with some top notch musicians, even though we haven't practiced in a while, the tunes came off well, no major mistakes, and lot of laughs. (Clarke took this one solo that I thought sounded like a drunk guy trying to cross the street! It was out there. But it was good in its own way. Just not in the particular tune we were playing.)

Schedule for this week? Well, I've got a new website to work on. Two of my regular drum lessons aren't happening this week, so that's nice. No adult ed classes either. Looks like I may have a pretty light week. Let's see what I say about it on Friday!

Craving: pork chops
Listening to: Divynals

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

 
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