What The Hail!!!!!!

not my hands or anyone I know....but its in our area...
Its June ( almost!). Today we received hail the size of small planets. Once again....global warming? Me thinks its a scam! :-)

In other weather related news. We just had our roof replaced about a week ago. The insurance company deemed it wind damage. With the insurance coverage and Uncle George Bush's mad $$$$... we were able to get it for "free". It was great timing. The estimate was 8k to replace it. Always nice to avoid a cost like that in these times of $4 gas etc.

Sorry for the spotty writing around here at "From Redlands To Maplewood". I havent forgot about you out there. Just havent taken the time to tickle to plastic things on the keyboard to fill you folks in on it.

( Hey Maggie....Working on that Dan Fogelberg song for ya!)


Till again
Mike

Al Green- Raining In My Heart. ( acoustic)

Spring? Where are you?

Its official. I cannot stand Minnesota winters anymore! Its almost May and look what greeted us this morning, MORE SNOW! I will count my blessings, people south of us got over a half foot of it. Global Warming? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

4/20 Santana/ Derek Trucks Band

I bought tickets for this show about 4 months before the show. I have to admit, I wasn't very fired up to see it. Its been a rough road lately with a loved one battling a illness and my mind has been elsewhere. As the days rolled toward this show, I began to listen again to Santana.

I have always loved his first 3 albums. Very gritty and yet beautiful, ethnic and yet accessible. Even as a young man, I loved the sound of Carlos Santana's guitar. I can only describe it as a cry like tone. I can usually pick out a Carlos tone in about 2 notes, very distinctive. It very releasing to me, and I have turned to those albums several times for several reasons.

So, it was with a bit of irony that I would be going to a Santana show ( I saw them in 1982 as my 2nd ever concert) when I was feeling kinda down and needed some "healing". I was hoping to hear more of the early gritty stuff, and less of the radio friendly stuff that he has been putting out the last decade or so. Some of it is good, but much of it doesn't come close to the early raw stuff.

The show began with a mix of both. I was enjoying the show but it wasn't really hitting me. Then Carlos stopped the show, and spoke to the crowd. He spoke about how we all are a light, and even though we all have varying degrees of pain, happiness, success and failure, we all can shine our light. Now some yo-yo's thought that meant to light lighters up....and others took it as a much deeper spiritual comment. To each its own, I think you know how I took it. :-)

Then, as if on cue. Carlos ripped into 4 songs that were some of my favorite Santana release songs.


1.Batuka
2. No one to depend on
3. Incident at Neshabur
4.Everybodys Everything.

It was great. I loved it and felt released. As you know, I connect with music on that level. I am so glad to have it in my life.

The show as a whole, was solid. It was a night I wont forget, not just for the music but for the emotions.

Cathedral Of St.Paul

Today, I took a tour ( along with my Family and my Mom) of the Cathedral Of St. Paul. Built in 1904, it is a stunning sight. The intricate craftsmanship of the marble and sculpture really makes you appreciate how much work was put into this grand place of worship.

The tour guides throughout the Cathedral told stores of the history of the church and of a era long before todays modern style churches. I love history, and this place did not lack it in the least.

What I took away from this visit was how many different cultures contributed to the building of this dramatic structure. Financially and Physically. It was built by the people of Minnesota and by all walks of life.

Just like your typical parish, rich,poor, privileged, and down on luck. This was a place for sanctuary.

I found peace in it today. I feel blessed.

Regret

Even though I have been assured of forgiveness from the 2 people that I meant to hurt the least. Jeff and Lori. I want to apologize for my insensitivity. The comment about "hallmark and gooey" was written out of frustration at MY OWN INABILITY to write with the depth that I once did.

If you look back at my blog. At one time I wrote about things besides music. I still do, as recent as 3 weeks ago. I know I have gone through another long winter where as it marches on and on I get more depressed. It makes me start feeling less and less. The only thing that gets me feeling is music. So I write about it.

I know I have been forgiven by the ones that matter. I will now forgive myself.

Sorry once again. From a former goomaster.

Happy Easter

A nightly ritual

Every night around 9pm. My son makes popcorn for himself, our dog always sits right by him waiting patiently for a stray kernel to drop. It never happens. But he keeps waiting! Now how gooey is that !

Digital Music Stresserella

Yeah, gas prices are going through the roof. People are losing jobs, the war keeps going on and on, and Mike just keeps plugging along with trusty posts about Music. Yes, I can converse about these topics and many other "heavy" issues without embarrassing myself, but this blog is about fun and Me! I refuse to write stuff that is gooey artificial greeting card material, and also skin crawling personal stuff. It runs rampant on blogs and gets boring to me quick.
UPDATE: Uncle Mike was a little crabby. I love you people that write unlike me. No harm no foul.....I hope ;-)

So, sit back and enjoy more music blather!

After years of collecting music on Cd's, the writing is on the wall. The shiny disc is dying a slow painful death and being replaced by digital downloads. Virtually every age group owns a device that plays MP3's and knows how to use em! With a collection that borders on the obscene, I have struggled with the idea of migrating my collection to a device ( I would need at least the 160GB, 40,000 song ipod pictured above) that would eliminate the need to lug the dozen or so Cd's that I bring to work each day. I do own a small player that I use for working out, but the idea of loading so much stuff on a hardive that could fail..sort of freaks me out. But also intrigues me. I love technology, but I also like the feeling of having something tangible in my hands like a disc. Looking at the artwork...lyrics...etc.... I know its old school, but its one of the things that I enjoy with my music experience.

So, my question to all. What do you most commonly use to listen to your music. Cd's? MP3/Ipod? Etc.... I am curious about your thoughts!

Last Lesson: Back to my own learning

No. This isnt my guitar teacher, but they go to the same barber. :-)

The last night of class was much like last week. Mike leads the band. This week I instructed the class on how to do alternative bass picking ( no that isnt illegal in Minnesota) . The teacher asked me to play some of the stuff that I have been practicing...and I just was fooling around with fingerpicking and stumbled onto different ways of fooling around with the bass strings. Nothing too profound, but enough for him to turn the class over to me. ( EGO inflation pt 78)

I think for now I will keep the "mike teaches guitar his way" dvd off the market for a while. I will keep instructing myself until I feel I have hit a wall and then find a real teacher at that time.

Still enjoyed the class, just reaffirmed that I am on the right path with my learning.

Rock on Dudes! :-)

Deer!

This is not my picture. But this morning, as I drove through the park reserve I travel every day, I saw 15 deer! They were all in single file walking through brush and heading for a frozen river down the hill. I pulled my car off to the side of the road and watched them. They were totally unaware of me. It was a great way to start the day. Natural beauty.

Nothing against hunters...but I could never shoot a deer. Mr. softy! :-)

new lists

1.vocalists
2. soul music
3. rock
4. deep tracks

45 songs on each list. if you click on pop out player...you can use it as background music as you browse other sites!

Music to your ears.

By now you are hearing some music playing through your speakers. I have 2 playlists. The one you are listening to now is a vocalist playlist. If you wanna rock, click the green button on the far right of the player ( to your right!). If you dont want to hear my handpicked tunes....hit the mute button on the bottom of the player or turn down the sound on your PC.

Hope you like....I have always wanted a way to get my music taste on here somehow. It will be a elvolving process! Like a online mixtape! ( See high fidelity pic above if you dont know what a mixtape is)

Guitar Class: Mike leads the class

I joined the advanced guitar class. This is a continuation of the 2 intro classes I wrote about previously. The class is down to 6. 6 dropped out from the into phase. We are supposed to progress from twinkle twinkle to more challenging songs and concepts.

Once again, it was sort of a train wreck. In fact, I ended up teaching the class to read tab ( see below for a example) style music notation. I have learned to play this way. The bottom staff represents the six strings on the guitar. High E to Low E. The #'s represent what fret to place your finger on. Its a common way to read music for most young learners. The teacher saw me practicing a song before class and asked what it was I was doing. I showed him. I then showed the class, for 30 minutes. :-) Add community ed teacher to my resume!

We were handed 2 songs to work on. Both are songs about addictions.

1. The wacky drug fueled tune " PUFF THE MAGIC DRAGON" ( insert "dude" here)

2. The sage advice song about gambling "THE GAMBLER" pre Kenny "gets a facelift" Rogers.

One more class to go. I will probably find a better teacher to seek out. Still enjoy being around other learners. Oh, by the way...the teacher upgraded his attire with a snappy purple velvet sports coat. Same sweats....sandals.... A stunner!

PS- the pic of the guy on top. That is Carlos Santana. One of my faves. I am going to see him in concert in late April. 3rd row! Last time I saw him was waaaaaay back in 1981. One of my first concerts, probably the loudest show I have ever been to. And the first show where I was offered pot, and of course refused. ( kiddies.....uncle Mike has always been drug free!)

Very cool pictures of the day after a fire

These were taken by a co-worker friend of mine. They were taken the day after a big fire in below zero temps. Makes it look like we live at the north pole! On second thought, I think we do!

Lesson 2- Cords and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

2nd night of class. Crazy teacher showed up in the typical crazy guy outfit. Sweatpants with a hole, black socks and sandals and a shirt with a big ol' mustard stain on it. ( cant make it up)

Class was a little better. We were asked to perform the song that we were supposed to learn. The toe tapper "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". 3 cords Gmajor, C major, and D7. I dont have problems with the cords, but the speed is the issue. C major can be a little stretchy, but I can get it pretty good. Anyway. Time came for the class to play one by one. I was the second best in class. There was a woman in class that was a ringer! This is the 7th time she has attempted to play guitar in her life. So....she had something on me! Mine was just a little more slow than her rendition ( I think I did a better job strumming!) :-) Maybe I was going for more of a bluesy version of Twinkle! haha!

We also spent some time letting the group share what goals they had for learning the guitar. I found that interesting, you can see the ones that are into this and the ones that will probably have the guitar in the closet in about a week. I also found it interesting that most of the people in the class were terrified to play that song "Twinkle Twinkle". Afraid to fail in front of others. I remember that feeling, maybe that is the advantage of doing this at my age. I just dont care what the other people think anymore. My goals are to play songs that I like to sing with. My audience will be my dog that loves to fall asleep when I play. If I get good enough at it...I will record a CD of the songs to have as my musical legacy! :-)

I spent about 90 minutes last night ( while watching that fake music show, American Idol) practicing my "Twinkle", and now I think I can WHUP Ms. Ringer! Ego is a good thing sometime!

I will sign up for the next level of this class, and try to learn some more cool tunes! Kumbya.....HERE I COME!

Father/Son Band

Having received Guitar Hero 3 for Christmas ( my son that is) and watching my son and I take turns trying the be the next Jimi Hendrix. I started looking at the game "Rock Band", mainly because it comes with a drum kit and and microphone in addition to the guitar like GH3. Its great because you actually get to participate together, just like a real band. I am of course the singer! My son the drummer. Its great because the drums are very much like playing real drums and it helps my son practice some skills for his real instrument.

We start as a lowly band that has no fans. As we get better we get more fans and $$$ to buy cool outfits for the lead singer! :-) There are tons of songs on this game and its about the most fun I have had with a video game. Most of the fun is that I am doing this with my son and both have huge smiles as we try to get the song right, and also its fun to just tap into your inner rock star thing!

If you get a chance to try it out....Do it!

The Moment

I have often been told about living in the "moment". I believe in it and often try to subscribe to that mindset. Its difficult to do, as we are conditioned to prepare for the future and look back at the past as source of comfort or pain. As you become older, you realize how fragile the time is that we are granted on this earth. We dont know how long we have, there are no promises.

This was brought into focus for me last week, as both of my parents were facing medical situations that were very serious and troubling for all concerned. It made me think once again about the moment. How great it is to just enjoy what is right in front of you and to not worry about the future or the past. Enjoy the loved ones you have and forget all the crap that gets in the way. I am very lucky to have relationships with both of my parents that are not complicated with grudges, anger, or frustration. But I see many that waste this precious time with those issues and never make peace with loved ones until its too late. Its very sad to me.

My father is still battling issues with his health, prayers are appreciated if thats what you like to do in your life. Kind thoughts are appreciated also.

Enjoy the gifts that are given.

Mike

March 4th, first new Crowes in 7 years

I have had an advance listen to this cd. Sounds like the best stuff they have released since the mid 90's. If you are a fan of the early Black Crowes sound, you must get this.

Click here for some 30 second clips http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8830560

I will write more when I get my official copy!

My first lesson, my first taste of fame :-)

(Picture of the exact place I bought my guitar)

I decided to take a community education class. Intro to guitar. I have been holed up in my "practice space" for the last month or so, learning cords and strumming and picking. I have been encouraged by my progress, but I wanted to see if I was really doing it right.

I walked into the room with my slightly used guitar and was surrounded by students that looked really unsure as to what they were even doing. I felt pretty relaxed and confident in what I had learned as I sat there and just casually strummed the half dozen cords that I knew. I guess its what a guitar does, because within a few minutes I had a few people around me listening to me just goof around. Now, anyone that knows me, knows that I dont shy from attention. Yeah I liked it. :-) Felt like jumping up and workin the room (my Dad knows what I am talking about!)

The class itself was pretty disappointing. The teacher was a bit on the mentally ill side ( hey its community ed!) and babbled on for most of the hour. I kindly steered him toward actual guitar stuff with some creative questions ( gotta get my $$$ worth somehow).

It was a fun night though. It proved to me that my self educating is paying off, and I am on the right path. I will be back this week for part 2 of the class.

Should I bring security to hold off my fans? :-)

I'll be waiting

I like this new song from Lenny Kravitz. Lyricaly nothing mind shattering....its just one of those tunes that stick in my head and make me sing in the car!

Great Day

This morning I was greeted by frozen surroundings! Not that its actually been warm around here for the last month or so. 1 week ago it was -19 one morning when I ambled out to start the car. But this morning was actually pretty. I took my camera out and navigated through the icy backyard and grabbed this shot. Kinda gives you a idea of how nice the frost looks. I guess the best way to describe it is....its like looking at a huge black and white photo!

The super bowl just ended. Wow what a game. I am thrilled the NY Giants won. I always root for the underdog!

Mike Gets Called Out!

My phone rings on Sunday afternoon. Its my neighbor, who I don't know really well..but we are friends. He asks "what are you doing?" I reply, "Just watching some football" he answers " I am bored, you want to come over and play?" I chuckle nervously and he says " I have 4 guitars over here and was wondering if you want to come over and jam?" I really begin to laugh. I say "Dude, if you wanna jam with a guy that knows 3 cords and very badly at the moment...."

Long drawn out story...... I end out going over there...just to watch someone that knows a little about the guitar. He starts playing songs and givin me the nod to join in.....I would strum a cord...and give him the nod back. HILARIOUS! I think he got the hint... :-)

It was fun....nice guy....we had a fun time talking music and instruments......The jamming part will have to come later! :-)

I did slay him with my one song that I have learned. ( love me tender never sounded so good!)

:-)

JAN 8 1935

Epiphone AJ-200SCE Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Well, Mike has ditched the rock n roll ways and gone folky. Well...errrr sorta. I wasnt totally satisfied with my Samick, felt it was holding me back with the monster 3 chords I have learned. :-)

Truthfully. The Samick was not as well made as I originally thought and was starting to show it on a regular basis. Also, much of the music I want to learn how to play is acoustic based, so it was natural that I seek out a acoustic. But, I didnt want to commit to full John Denver mode just yet, so I bought a Acoustic-Electric hybrid. That means I can amplify my guitar, and yet not be as annoying as a full out electric.

The guitar has its own pickup on it like a regular electric and I can control the tone and volume on the top of the instrument. I also can shape the sound through my amp. It sounds really warm and I like it. I feel like I have the setup I have always wanted. ( now, I have to learn how to play!) :-)

Epiphone AJ-200SCE was priced at about $11 more than my other setup. Its very well made and looks nice. Not as mean and cool looking as the Sammy, but at my age....mean and cool are in the eye of the beholder. I think it will be much more entertaining to have me play a nice song on my "conservative" guitar, as opposed to a full out painful version of "Voodoo Chile" by Hendrix. I am respecting my audience! :-)

New Years will be here in about a hour. Here is wishing you the best in the upcoming year!

Alert The Neighbors!

Heaven help us all....Mike and his Son have instruments and only one of them really knows how to use em! :-)

Here is hoping that all of you have a wonderful christmas

Mike & Family

Progress

I have learned to play with a pick ( no thumb blisters!) and have learned my first song. " Love Me Tender. Granted, its not at a breakneck pace, and I hit clinkers...but it makes me smile to hit a few notes in a row! Enjoying the journey and not trying to get too frustrated too quick!

Baby Steps

Ok, this wont be a daily update kind of thing but thought I would share my progress. I bought a piece of software called "Teach yourself guitar" ( uh huh, I bought it just because of its very creative name!) and its a great way to start off learning.

I spent about 2 hours last night learning how to play my first notes and putting those notes into a couple of songs. The nice thing is that you get to play with a prerecorded track that you can slow down and speed up according to your skill level. Granted, I only learned on the high E string and played only about 3 frets, but still very fun to me.

I guess its all about just getting rolling and putting in the time. I think I am gonna like this!

Plus...I have a nice blister on my strumming thumb. Ahhhh progress!

The final choice!

Decided to ditch the starter pack in a box concept and just get a guitar that "spoke to me"! :-)

Its a Samick Torino TR1 . A much cheaper ( and yet not a crappy version) version of the Gibson SG. I have always loved the look of that guitar and was thrilled to find a decent priced one.

In the end. I spent about $25 more than the starter Laguna in a box. Got the same fun amp and had the sales guy throw in the other stuff that I would have got in the box. I spent tonight just fooling around with the amp and the tone. I really wish I would have done this about 20 years ago, but the moment is now and I aint gonna look back! :-) ( thanks no interest financing for giving me the excuse to get it early!)

I am happy with my choice, and that is all that matters at this point.

Ps- Look on the upper left top. Kinda looks like mine. Dont think I can leap like Pete or dream of playing like him....but still ....very fun to hit some power cords and enjoy the roof rattling power!

Early Favorite

I went over to Guitar Center today and talked to a very nice guy that thought this would be "killer" for a dude like me! :-) I let him show me what it could do and I was impressed. At the quality and the sound and price! Could be a keeper. Its a Laguna Electric guitar w/ a LINE 6 amp ( loved the amp...lets you play with all sorts of effects and also with a nice clean sound.) gig bag, strap,pics, tuner etc ....for about $350.

I have been thinking!

Yes, this comes as a shock to many. But I have been thinking! Actually wondering. Wondering if it would be possible for a 40 something man to learn to play a instrument. One he has always wanted to play, and yet never took a step towards just doing it.





Being such a music minded person ( have you noticed, frustrated readers?) I have always loved to sing and dont have a horrible voice. But, its always bugged me that I havent ever learned to play music. There was a comical period in my life where I tried to play trumpet. I faked it for a couple of years,but never really learned anything other than how to look stlylish while clearing out my spit valve! :-) Ask my Mom or Dad about this nightmare! :-)





My main interest has always been to learn to play a guitar. I think it would be great to be able to accompany myself while I warbled out a song. I have got to the "doorstep" a couple of times and found something else to pursue. I have the itch again....and its strong. Watching my son learn piano and drums has got me wandering around guitar shops and asking questions! Do I play a accoustic or electric? Being a lefty...should I buy a left handed guitar ( they are much more expensive!) or learn to play righty ( like I have done with many things!).





Now my question for you readers is-----





1. ever played a instrument?


2. ever wished you played a instrument?


3. any advice about my choice of guitar and how much should I spend?

Toyota Disses my hometown!

FRESNO, California: Toyota Motor Corporation pulled an ad that likened this inland California city to an outdated pit stop after Senator Dianne Feinstein wrote the car company to complain.
The commercial depicted people driving the fuel-efficient Prius in an imagined future in which "gas stations will become nothing more than low-budget tourist stops. Like ghost towns ... or Fresno."

That slap got no mileage with Mayor Alan Autry, who asked Feinstein to intervene.
Unlike other, more famous, California cities, Fresno has grappled with a reputation of being a dangerous and boring city in the middle of the state's agricultural sector.
On Friday, Toyota officials recalled the spot produced for auto dealers in the Southeast U.S., and edited out any mention of the word Fresno.


Justice prevails!!!! :-)

The night after.

Here is a review that I posted over @ mulearmy.com

Even though I leaked the word that this was gonna happen. I was still floored by
the performance of "Houses of the holy". Audley had the Jimmy Page tone down
perfect and really added alot to the set. I loved "the rain song", the boys did
it proud and it made the hair on my arms stand up. "The Crunge" was impossibly
funky! and yes they did find "The confounded bridge!"So many highlights from
this set. You could tell that they had a great time playing this. Lots of smiles
from the band. The stage had signs on it with little logos of each members sign
( ala the zep zozo logos etc.) I hope they post some pics soon over at net,
cause it was cool.

The opening set was great also. Lots of dark tunes....and
played fierce!I enjoyed Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. They were dressed up
for the occasion. Grace had a nice 'Liger" leotard on...that was very flattering
;-) her drummer dressed like a lion tamer..w/ stuffed animals all over the kit.
Bass player was the "f@#$%^& toothfairy" and the lead guitarist was a "pimp
daddy". They had a nice mix of blues and rock that made the muleys around me dig
it.

I dressed as a rasta mon. Met some very cool fellow muleys, and get this.
watched the entire second set with Grace P and her band right next to me. They
were lovin the Mule as much as the rest of us. A magical night. Get the Mule
Tracks of this one ASAP! A classic!

Pic of Grace is from the show a couple nights before.

Govt Mule- A Great Night

So much to write about...but it will have to wait.

Here is a setlist from what I saw tonight. Still stunned.



10.31.07 O'Shaughnessy Theatre - St. Paul, MN

Set 1:
Play With Fire
Time To Confess
Million Miles From Yesterday
Rocking Horse
Birth of The Mule
Larger Than Life
Fallen Down>Other One Jam
Blind Man In The Dark w/ Zeppelin Medely Tease Jam

The Holy Haunted House
Setw/ Audley Freed on Guitar
The Song Remains The Same
The Rain Song
Over The Hills and Far Away
The Crunge
Dancing Days>Drums
D'Yer Mak'er
No Quarter
The Ocean
Encore:Come On Into My Kitchen> w/ Audley Freed on Guitar
32/20 Blues w/ Come On Into My Kitchen Jam w/ Audley Freed on Guitar

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals opened. ( she watched the 2nd set of the show standing right next to me. Guess that rasta outfit is magical!) :-)

More later.
Goodnight

RIP Bob Goulet

A little comedy from Will Ferrel. Love this.

A little Bob trivia. Elvis once shot out his TV watching Mr. Goulet . Bob knew how to wrech out the emotions!

halloween

This year I am wearing a costume for the first time in years. Yes, for the halloween show with Gov't Mule. I am donning the Rasta Man look ( ironic for mr. drug free!).

My son is pleased with his creation of a character called "Black and White". Its his favorite time of the year!

Sorry for the blurry photos.....but it captures the moment!

My Dog and Leaves

Last night we had our first kinda cold night. The leaves are falling off the trees fast and the colors are very bright. Reggie and I went out to investigate and I took some pics!

Halloween

My fave band will be doing a special show. Playing Zeps Houses of the Holy in its entirety.

Cant wait.

due to popular demand- REALLY!

Here are a couple more CR Black crowes pics from the other night.
Going to see Drive By Truckers tonight @ First Ave. Sorry, no pics!

Ellen

Most of you know what a dog lover I am. I find comfort in dogs that I dont always find in humans. Its the unconditional love thannng and giving that love back to some one that is always there. You get me in front of a book or a movie screen that has a story about a dog and I can guarantee you that I will be blubbering. So it can be said that I have a big soft spot for dogs.

That being said. It brings me to the latest meltdown of a celeb. Ellen. I heard audio clips of this all day today. I really felt sorry for her and could tell that she does care for animals. However, I also felt sorry for how out of touch she is. The impression I got after listening to debate and also watching this clip was one of privelege. She thinks she can bend rules, rules that are there for a reason because she is a celeb. ( a minor one in my book...never have liked her and her crappy dancing thing, but that is for another type of blog!). She has numerous cats around her home and has had several dogs that she has brought into this situation. If a dog doesnt adapt to her cats....its gone. In this case, the dog was a puppy and was given away in a two month period. Hardly a reasonable amount of time to train a dog. I have heard that this has happened on 9 different occasions...where she "saves" a dog and then just gives him away. There is a reason why these adoption agencies make you sign documents stating that they will take control of the dog if it is given to another home. To prevent things like this.

The reason for my ire is. I just finished a book called "Marley and Me". Its all about a dog that is nothing but trouble and destruction and yet makes a powerfull imapact on a family. The reason for the impact is....they never gave up on this dog.
Ellens heart is in the right place, but she does more harm then good when she does things like this. A dog or a cat isnt like a pair of shoes that you can change at a whim. Its a commitment that takes a lot of thought, patience, and understanding.

Her national blubbering just made me cringe. A staged "breakdown" for her own benefit. I hope if anything it brings awareness about the huge problem we have with overbreeding of dogs and cats by people that just want to experience the gift of backyard breeding. So many dogs and cats never find a home....and some do with nut jobs that think having 90 cats and 50 dogs are a humane place for a animal to live. Its very sad.

Black Crowes 10/16 State theatre

Enjoyed the show! Keeping it simple. Setlist and pics! I have some non music stuff to write about. Stay tuned.





Don't Do It


Sting Me


Twice As Hard


Jam -> Black Moon Creeping


Seeing Things


My Morning Song


Sometimes Salvation

Ballad In Urgency ->Wiser Time

Soul Singing ->Thorn In My Pride

Remedy-

encore -Boomer's Story

Nature, a camera ,and a empty park

We have a very nice park down the road from our house. Its a old park, that at one time was very popular. It has a lake that doesnt have much fish in it ( I have tried and cant find them!) a swimming beach that doesnt get used because the water is not always "chlorine clean" and large picnic areas that sit empty.

People have moved on to newer and more exciting places. I am guilty of it also.

But this morning I decided to stop by and take some pictures of the stunning fall leaves we have. I was the only one there as I snapped away at the natural beauty that surrounded me. Photography is so easy when you have such a easy subject.

A lost love

Its October. Halloween, changes of season, colored leaves and highschool football games. But what I used to think the most about October was baseball, playoffs and the fall classic- The World Series.

As a young lad, I would huddle in front of the TV on Saturday afternoons to catch a glimpse of my heroes. Back then there wasn't 24 hour sports channels and the Internet to bombard you with info. The newspaper, radio, the nightly news, and that one prime time game were the pulse you would have to take to get your info. I knew every player and could give you a scouting report on all of them. I LOVED BASEBALL! I played ball with my friends in the street and also played organized ball. I loved the fact that this was a team sport and yet it was a individual sport. I loved when I would walk up to the plate and look that pitcher in the eye and play the mental chess game that hitting is. Would he throw me a curve? Would he throw me the fastball that I hit the last time I faced him? It was exciting for me and I couldn't get enough of it. My room was full of pictures and I would play Strat-o-matic for hours ( a baseball board game). It was a source of entertainment for me for many years. Even when I had to switch allegiances and become a Twins fan ( when I moved from calif to minn) I was fortunate enough to see tons of games in the plastic dump ( the HHH metrodome...not a good baseball park!) and root my Twins on to World Series victories in 87 and 91. These were great times. I loved my baseball...I was still playing baseball ( no slow pitch softball for me!) into my 30s and still knew all of the professional players and could give you info ad nausim. Then it happened. The game changed and I did too.

One of the main things that changed was the fact that baseballs sacred history changed. The fact that Roger Maris record of 61 homeruns is now almost eclipsed yearly is saddening to me. The fact that it is known that most of these athletes that passed these records were on performance enhancing drugs at the time has tarnished what was the one thing Baseball had going for it. HISTORY. We all know about Barry Bonds breaking Hank Aarons record for homeruns a couple of months ago. I hate to admit that I sat there with no emotion as I saw him circle the bases. It seemed so empty to see this "machine" break the most hallowed of all baseball records. It just seems like the heart has been torn out of the game because of this tainting . Another thing is that today its hard to really latch onto a team and really become attached to it. Free agency has turned baseball rosters into a revolving door of players. Back in the day, you had players that spent 15 -20 years in the same uniform. Most players today play for a average of 4-5 teams in a long career. It just makes it different.

I still watch baseball. I still know most of the players. But its not the same. I feel more detached about it. I don't feel the passion for it like I used to. But every once in a while I see something that makes me miss it like I used to. Like a couple weeks ago, I saw a young mother and her son playing catch in the yard below me. I sat there and smiled. It was so simple and powerful. The game is still those things in its most simple form, but its hard to look past the other junk that tarnishes it. Maybe its what getting older brings and you see those kinds of things.

Baseball, thanks for all that you gave me over the years. I am still out there, a little more cynical...but still believe in ya!

To Blog or Not To Blog

That is my question.

I need your help out there. Does this blog still seem interesting to you? Is it too slanted with my own musical stuff that I love? Would you rather I write more about day to day stuff?

Please let me know what kinds of things you like about this blog...and some things you would like to see.

I know its a blog that is created by me and for me. But.....I would like to make it more fun for the 3 people out there that read it.

SPEAK UP!

Or else!

(or else, I will write more about govt mule!)

Leave a comment please.

Thanks

Hot off the Gov't Mule presses.

10.31: THE HOLY HAUNTED HOUSEIn the spirit of the holiday, this year's Halloween show at the O'Shaughnessy Theatre in St. Paul, MN will be entitled GOV'T MULE'S HOLY HAUNTED HOUSE. The band will be joined by longtime friend and collaborator Audley Freed for this very special night of music.Tickets are available now through Ticketmaster.


Hmmmmm should be a great night!