Wa-hoo!

The Providence Bruins advanced to the second round of the playoffslast night with a 5-4 win over the Hartford Wolfpack.

I went to the game on Thursday and they lost 1-0 and that put them down 3-2 in the series (best of 7). The PBs won the next two! yeeeeeeah.

Games Tuesday and Wednesday NEXT week for me. (and if needed Monday the 14th of May)

It is PLAYOFF HOCKEY SEASON!! Waaaaahoo!

Broken mind come alive, imagination shines

There is a new entry over at Forgotten Disc Friday. I think some readers are going to say "about damn time you did one of their records". If they are new to you check it out...you shant (is that a word) be disapointed.

Thanks as always for reading.

Two Cool things...

The other day I was in the parking lot of "new" plaza. They are still doing the grounds when a big old loader and dump truck were coming towards me. Up in the window they had "Hertz" rental stickers on them. Man I need to rent a loader and just dig holes one day. That would be awesome.

On a totally unrelated note to that previous paragraph, anyone that frequents this blog knows I have a second blog called Forgotten Disc Friday (new update tomorrow by the way). Anyhow, because it is a music blog I get a fair # of mp3's mailed to me to check out. Although my blog doesn't really cover "new" bands I do like to listen and even send back feedback on my thoughts. I'll post a concert list for the band, or make mention when/where I can. I tried being in a band as well (pre world wide web mind you) so I know how hard getting started can be.

Last night when I got home I got a package sent to me from the label and inside was a cd for a band called Terrene. I checked out the publicity letter that came with it but was struck by the sticker on the cover. The record was produced by Phil Ek who has worked with The Shins, Built to Spill, and, Modest Mouse. Okay, for me personally this is a good start. Then it said that the music was for fans of The Flaming Lips, Sterolab, and, Broken Social Scene. Again, for me personally they are right up my alley.

I put the cd on today and I am pleasantly surprised. The music is very good and pretty much for fans of all the bands listed. I'll see if I can get permission to post and mp3 or two of their stuff, but check out their site if you are curious as they have some music there.

We all need new and good music in our lives..there is ALWAYS room for that.

YES!

Awwww right. The Providence Bruins won last night making it a 2-2 series. That means I get to see at least ONE game of the playoff run. The game is tomorrow night at 7:05. My 10 year old nephew is hitting the game with me. He is a big fan of the game so we will load up on popcorn and take in the action. Bummer its a "school night" but I'd see a live hockey game any night.

ahhhhhcchhhhh.

No its not me in the image..but my neck looks like that dudes face.

he takes a breath and clears his mind

There is a new entry over at Forgotten Disc Friday. Kinda hard to see a "2003" release already be forgotten but..well you'll see.

Thanks as always for reading.

In the News

Starting daylight savings a month earlier and ending it a week later will save 4.4 Billion if the policy stays in effect through 2020 (NY Times)

Yellow ribbon car magnets will cost less that $1 on ebay, while the black "Bring em Home" will set you back $5 (Financial times)

800 civilians working in Iraq under contract w/the Pentagon have been killed. 3,300 have been wounded. (Associated Press)

In one day last year Bill Clinton got $475,000 for 2 speeches, more than double his yearly salary as US President. (Washington Post)

In 2005 only 23% of plastic bottles sold in the US were recycled...down from 40% in 1995. (Salon.com)

The amount spent per passenger on an in flight meal was down to $3.38 in 2006. (Wall Street Journal)

Ray Snoffer Jnr of Minnesota won $25K in the lottery, two days in a row.

A Florida theater had had the marquee changed for the "Vagina Monologues" to read "The Hoo Hah Monologues"

To curb customers from being upset about the time spent waiting in line at the post office the organization has removed clocks from the area.

A two year old girl called 911 to tell the police her grandfather was cheating at cards.

You can buy a "fake id" for as little as $14 US dollars from on line hackers. For $300 you can get set up with bank account information and access to others funds (Financial Times)

Search on "sex" on the Internet you'll get 408 Million hits, search on "God" you'd' get 396 Million. (Washington Post)

A Brothel in Germany will offer a 50% discount to senior citizens, but only during the afternoons.

In one week of Oprah sampling Wasa Crispy Bread the US sales went up 25%. All she did was make a sandwich and take a bite. (Wall Street Journal)

The world population of billionaires climbed to 946 last year. Bill Gates was #1 for the 13th year with a fortune of 56 Billion. (Forbes)

The Library of Congress planes to digitize only 10% of the 132 million documents, letters and photos due totally to the cost of getting the project done (NY TImes)

Kim Jong II is the worlds leading buyer of Hennessy Cognac. He spends about $720,000 Us dollars per YEAR on the stuff. (Newsday)

Tempting for sure..

Reading the concert listings at TT The Bears in Cambridge I came upon a date by none other than Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave. Nightwatchman is a project his is working on now and he is going to be playing a solo acoustic show.

Tempting indeed..but a show this intimate will bring out the douchebags in force.

***update*** Pulled the trigger got my ticket...then I realized I have Wilco the very next night. Rock and Roll baby..rock and roll.

Mono Live at the Middle East April 12, 2007

Mono
w/Worlds End Girlfriend and The Drift
The Middle East (Downstairs), Cambridge MA
Thursday April 12, 2007

First you might be saying "haven't you spoken of this band before?", well yes of course right here is a prime example.

Onward.

Japanese instrumental rockers mono kicked off their latest tour of the USA on Thursday in Cambridge. Rumor has it the band would be touring this year in the US and then that was "it" until 2009. Even though I had been sick I decided that since the ticket was bought, it was a must attend.

Phoning the club earlier in the day I got the dreaded news "Mono at 11:30". Ugggh, on a school night no less.

Arrived at the venue about 10:20 and World's End Girlfriend was setting up. It's basically a solo/one man band kind of deal. Going in with an open mind didn't help. The set was very boring and there is something about a lot of nob twisting and laptop computer work that just doesn't sit well in a live setting. The audience (very much under the clubs capacity of 550) didn't pay much attention and there was a lot of chatter. The final two "songs" had shimmers of coolness but overall it needed to have been 20 minutes shorter than the 45 minutes it was.

The bright side to a one man band was the set change over was very quick and before you knew it Mono had taken the stage. Tamaki (bass) stood towards the middle of the stage with Takaakira "Taka" Goto (guitar) and Yoda (guitar) on each side. Yasunori Takada settled behind the drum set and we were pretty much ready to roll.


Mono follows a "quiet/loud" pattern. Tracks begin with a solo swooping guitar then the band will come slamming in 5+ minutes later. You forget how quiet and beautiful it is and can be, then you are thrust to a pummeling wall of sound.


As great as the band always is live there was *something* missing that I am unable to put my finger on. Opening night of the tour, but they had no tech issues at all? Ummm the talkers that have to talk about anything all during the set, annoying yes, but not as distracting as you can blame.

Being to harsh perhaps? Nah, they freaking smoked. Catch em live now or wait till 2009 to behold the awesomeness.

Oh yeah bring ear plugs.

The rest of the tour dates can be found here


Images taken from - here

Well this is what I kinda look like...

make yourself at Weeworld.com

Okay so here is the deal.

**a tad long for me so be warned..but it explains the last post better**

Okay so where does one begin...ahh at the beginning I guess.


The great plague of the March house 2007.

Last Monday (April 2) Littlest March came home from school/day care and went right upstairs. I was working from home and wanted to say Hi and ask how his day was. He was sitting on the floor, blanket in hand with puppy dog eyes. I said, uh oh...lets lay down. It was 5:20pm. At 6pm we woke him up enough to put on PJs and off to never never land he went. He was sick (or sick enough) to be out of school all week.

Mrs March and I flip flopped "sick days" to cover littlest march. He seemed to be getting "better".

Insert Thursday (the 5th) early am.

I wake up and I am sore. "Flu like" sore. Mrs March had taken a vacation day (her job won't let her take sick time for the kids). She asks looking at me as I drag ass to the shower "You going to work"? Well considering I was out Wednesday and it was looking like the kids were getting no better (little march is coming) I said "I better try to work today that way I can either bring stuff home and work from home Friday or take Friday off". Little March hits the bus, I head to work..and proceed to die. 12 noon I inform my boss I can't take it..i need to jet. He agrees that dragging ass is getting both of us nowhere.

I get home..change and try to crash some. Littlest march is hanging out..Mrs March is now feeling "ehhh" but plugging along. About 4:15 the phone rings..its the after school program...little march doesn't feel good..hot, achy etc. sonnnnah-va-bitch...I get changed and head over to get her. She is fine, but once in the car she cries that her throat hurts and her head hurts. Its killing me... I think by 7pm everyone but Mrs March is loaded up on medication and sent to bed.

Friday - I wake up feeling like ass. Little March has a temp..littlest march is "fine". He can go to day care but hasn't been out of the house really since Monday so he is a bastard about getting out..fine forget it...i am too sick to deal. Guess what kids..its MOVIE FRIDAY! About 10am Mrs calls. "How are you?" Ummm welll okay I guess. You sound like crap and can't do this in your state..I am coming home. No no no..please don't. She does anyway which looking back at I am grateful for. Little March is "pretty good"..littlest is "fine" and I am a mess. I can't get out of my own way. I perk up some in the middle afternoon...enough to check the web page for the Sonny Rollins show I had tickets for that night. Its awful to say but I was hoping there was going to be some message "Postponed!" but instead the message just killed me..it read something like..its been 2.5 years since sonny has been to Boston..he looks forward to seeing you all...and then a review from a local paper talked about how he put on the best show of 2004 and it was 2hrs and 45 minutes...i died a little more in my seat.

Saturday..we had plans to go see Laurie Berkner. The kids seemed to be recovered. I had a cough and had not eaten really anything since Thursday evening. We braved it, headed to Boston and had a blast. The kids sang and danced and for a little while stuff was good. We went to the Boston Common and the kids played some and then it was time to go home. The kids were excited about the Easter Bunny so we got things ready and headed to bed. I finally felt like all I had was a cough that I could "deal with".

Sunday. The kids get up and we do the egg hunt. I am feeling pretty good..Mrs March is now finally at the breaking point. Its hurt turn to "not feel good" and how can anyone blame her at this point. She asks if she can go lay down some. (mind you we were up at 7) so heading back to bed at 820 isn't that bad. About 9am I cough some..and then realize..i am pretty much "rapid breathing". I can't catch my breath and each inhale and exhale is churning with a "gurgle". I hope it will pass but after a few minutes I realize I need to do something. I go up and wake up poor Mrs March. I say " I need to go SOMEWHERE". We get dressed and head to the local ER. I tell her to drop me off and I'll call later. Its about 920 or so. I finally get into an ER bed about 1120. No sooner do I lay in the bed does my mother arrive. "What the heck are you doing here?" I say. "You need someone here". Mind you we were supposed to host Easter..but cancelled Saturday as to not infect everyone and my mom was in turn "having it" at 1pm. I won't bore you with the next few hours but basically I had "the flu and bronchitis".

I am dying inside..i have ruined EVERYTHING today. The kids are "bored", Mrs March is sick..and sick of everyone being sick (can't blame her) my mom spends hours w/me in the ER, my brothers, sister inlaws, nephews, necies and Dad are all at my parents "waiting" to eat. Ugggh..i feel awful in so many ways.

After getting home I take my medication and try to help w/the kids. They are bored, Mrs March has had it. I am wheezing and coughing so I am "sent to bed" and respond to that by basically sleeping from 4pm to 7am Monday. I woke up at times but all in all...i don't remember much.

Monday - I have a medical "excuse" note for the next two days but still need to get the kids out the door. Mrs March is home...she hopes to get in a day of rest. Littlest March is a pill..he hasn't had to do this routine for a few days so its not very easy but eventually he goes. Little March hits the bus and Mrs March and I basically find couch space and a TV remote. The kids arrive home...but littlest march is kinda "ehhh". He has a look on his face. We wonder if its the "first day back" deal or what. Needless to say he hardly eats..and is "warm". FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCKKKKING A.

He later goes upstairs w/me and I get him changed but he just wants to lay down. In about 5 minutes he is asleep. We take his temp about 730...102. WHAT THE FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFAAAAAAHHHHHK. He sleeps through the night fine though.

Tuesday - I am still out sick, Mrs March had this day off and both kids head to school. I am worried about littlest march though. Mrs March has to work evenings Fri/Sat and Sun I have been out of work basically since last Wednesday..this is all getting very old..very fast for everyone. I call the MD and get littlest march an appointment for 230pm. Super..we will take it. 12 noon day care called and he was 100.8 so he was still "warm" and the MD appointment was all the more needed.

We arrive, they do a rapid strep throat test and sure enough...he has strep. Can you f'ing belive this??!

Hit the drugstore head home and hang out. The medication he is on is longer lasting and taken less often so before we left the MDs office I asked about him going to school/daycare on Wednesday. Basically was told that "come 830am tomorrow he will have 2 doses of the medication on board" and that as long as he was not feverish etc that he would be fine to go....good..because we need to get back to "normal".

Wed (today) - kids are up..ready to go. Mrs March heads to work. I get my stuff in order as I have a dental appointment before work so I make sure everything is in order. Drop Littlest off at day care and tell them what the deal is. They are cool. Head home...get Little on the bus..then head to the dentist.

I arrive at work and Mrs calls. "I have to get littlest at school". "Why??""! I ask. "School says that he has to be on medication for 24hrs before he can be there". Are you f'ing kidding me??! He already infected the kids (sorry but its true). Then Mrs said she was taking little to the MD for a throat culture at 3:45. Again I say "why?" as she has been "fine". "I just need to make sure".

Mrs March has had it...I will ask no further questions..for if I do I just might be found in a ditch. She is far more patient than I ever would be over these last few days and for that, one of the million things I promise to do for her before I die is......

....to get a flu shot next year.

Uggg...

I am alive..after a stint in the ER on Easter sunday. Hope to be "back to normal" tomorrow.

Has Nobody Asked You How You Are?

There is a new entry over at Forgotten Disc Friday. This week it is an earlier release from a band that is currently experiencing their greatest success. Excuse the typos etc as the last few edits were done in a cough suppressant induced haze.

Thanks as always for reading.

Tickets...anyone need tickets??

Sorry for the lack of updates..never realized I was even remotely popular. Lets do some catching up I guess..

Les-see..umm Littlest March has been sick since Monday night. Came home from school/daycare on Monday and went to bed at 5:30. We woke him up at 6 to get him in PJs and he slept until about 4:10 am when he blew chunks all over his bed. Mrs March was off Tuesday so she stayed with him, then yesterday I stayed home...now I think I have whatever he had..my head hurts, I can't stop coughing this super dry heavy cough..and to top that off Little March after getting dressed today announced she is starting to "not feel good". Great..like we have NOTHING else going on this weekend

Tomorrow I am supposed to go see jazz "legend" Sonny Rollins at Symphony Hall in Boston. If my head stops throbbing that is.

Saturday we are taking the munchkins to see Laurie Berkner. It should be fun, if Little and Littlest March are feeling up to the task. We told them today about going and the first thing they both said was "Can we take the train?" Talk about one cure fits all.

Sunday is Easter and we are hosting. It should be fine just my brothers, kids and my parents but still a less throbbing head and stiff joints will work wonders.

Yesterday when home w/littlest march I grabbed the mail and was happy to see my playoff tickets for the Providence Bruins arrive. I feel like a scalper..there were 30 tickets. 2 seats for each of the potentially 15 home games of the playoff run. The hardest part of all, since they have to get the tickets to you is that everything is TBA. As far as dates/times etc. I have the Providence Bruins site bookmarked as a favorite but I'll be there more and more w/the schedule about to roll out.

Speaking of tickets I ordered some tickets for the Pawtucket Red Sox on Monday. Those tickets arrived as well..so I am just a ticket machine. The "Paw Sox" are the minor league affiliate to The Boston Red Sox. I got tickets for three games, all three have some sort of "promotion going on" and all told I spent $83.00 w/all the fee's etc. Little March wants to go to one game (I got tickets for a game where all females that arrive get a pink paw sox shirt). 83.00 for 8 tickets across three games. You can't even get tickets in Boston these days. They have sold out every home game since May of 2003. Its also one of the smallest and most uncomfortable places to watch a baseball game but I digress. They are also not shy about their ticket prices (again if you can find them) $105.00 for a field box seat. I love how they'll charge you $20.00 face for "standing room" tickets too. Guess I won't be going to Fenway Park again this year.

When I had the camera out to take the picture of the tickets I looked out the window and saw this on my suet feeder.



I've got a male and female hanging out right now. Not that wild I realize but the camera was out.

Finally I got a few cds this week *shocker* I know. Grabbed
this

this which I had to grab due to the press its been getting (gonna listen next)
and
this which has kicked my arse x2 this morning. How just a bass player and drummer can make this much a wall of sound is beyond me.

Thats it..i gotta go dose up on some cough medicine..*cough cough*

**whew**

Am I the only one that is happy that April 1st was on a weekend? I like a joke as much as the next person but when radio and tv chime in with "real news" only to drop the ball later it just angers me. We can't even use the internet anymore on the 1st of April for that very reason. Every band you like is either breaking up or re-forming. Every actor has died of an od'. Sure it gives you a glimmer of hope that some of these tools are gone for good..but I digress.

The best story of the weekend (music wise) has to go to Tiny Mix Tapes who reported on the reformation and performce of Neutral Milk Hotel. The band hasn't released a thing in over 10 years. The poster for the "Tiny Mix Tapes" festival was pretty good w/the line up..and a Two Day pass was going to set you back only $50.00. That had to throw up the red flag right then and there.