The $300.00 cheeseburger...

ORIGNIALLY POSTED OCTOBER 12TH


Hello all! Hope you're doing fine, surviving the weather of the financial markets, loving the ones you love, and eating lots of fruits and vegetables.

Ah... Sunday morning in the fall. It's absolutely gorgeous outside, and I think I'm going to go get some of it. I could use it.

So I'm playing many more acoustic shows with my friend Brian (hand drums, vocals). Gerry has been off on a performance excursion with Marykate O'Neil the past few weeks, and Brian has stepped in. I'd say more than stepping in and more like we're reconnecting, as the last times we played together were some 15 odd years ago. But now I can say the last time we played together was last night, and it's been a real pleasure playing music with him again. We've got some stuff in the works for the coming weeks... months... And when Gerry comes back from the MK tour, we'll have even more fun creating.

My apologies for the first-time-ever "No, you're not playing tonight" in Boston last week. Yup. Fred, Gerry, Brian and myself trekked up to Boston only to find out that we weren't on the bill (insert an Austin Powers line, "Swear to God baby! That never happens!") Well, the important thing is that we got to see, and hang out with Kelly, Anne & crew... And that was worth the two hour drive. Hope to be back up & playing in Boston soon.

This past Wednesday was New York City. I've a sincere affinity for the town, now more than ever. Fun show... first time acoustic combination with Fred, Brian and myself. We'll be doing more of these in the future, possibly as a "power trio," i.e., "plugged in." Met some good folks from the M.E.A.N.Y. Fest and had ourselves a good time. Fred really wanted a cheeseburger after the show (actually we were all hungry), so we headed up to our pal Maureen's neighborhood. Jen, Maureen, Fred, Brian and I had ourselves a nice midnight snack, including gravy fries, gravy pickles, and gravy cole slaw. Paid the bill and came back out to find my car gone. After nearly soiling myself because of the amount of gear in the car, I found out it was towed. A little better than theft, but nonetheless still a bummer. After a 10 block walk, a $185.00 release fee, and a "salt-in-the-wound" parking ticket for $95.00, and the generous charity of my friends for helping me pay for it, we were on our way. It wouldn't have hurt so much except that my car was actually broken into three weeks ago, causing $700.00 worth of damage. But that's another story. The bottom line is that I've got great friends and we had really expensive cheeseburgers.

Had a great show last night at Club Helsinki in Great Barrington MA. It was truly redeeming, considering the $300.00 cheeseburger story. It's a really great listening room. The folks in the audience were an absolute pleasure to perform in front of. A heartfelt thanks goes out to the fellas in TOTEMIC for having us there with them. Just listened back to the board mix CD from last night, and I'm once again happy that Brian and I are playing together again. It's going to be a great season this fall. Hope to make it back up to Helsinki soon... I highly recommend it.

One last story... Found a review online yesterday from a show in Boston this past February. I'll just say the reviewer wasn't too kind. Now, I don't like to harp on reviewers saying bad things about me, as I know I'm a target for it. It's just part of the gig. And I certainly can't make a public rebuttal of every negative thing written about me. But I will say this: Ed... When you're referring to "pealing" apples, it's spelled "peeling." "Pealing" refers to bells and chimes... but I bet you knew that 'cause you're so smart.

Dick.

Thanks folks. Sorry you had to see that.

Today marks 100 days left in the White House for Monkey Nuts and his team of clowns. I'm not a religious man, but thank God.

Yes, you and I are paying taxes to save the collective pathetic asses on Wall Street. Where was the government when the homeowner needed a bailout?

John... John... John... "That one?" What is wrong with you?

Go see "Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist." Fun, cute movie.

Peace, love, rock & roll...

-SA