Respect

our great Nation's song

sung with mediocre flair

takes away, not adds

I played on a job today where someone else sang the National Anthem. Normally I would heave a small sigh of relief, not because I don't want to play, but more because it gives me a chance to really listen, stepping away from the ceremony.  Today the National Anthem was sung by two girls from the local town that we performed at. I have yet to hear a more lyrical, or more embellished piece of performed disrespect in my life. It got me thinking back to all of the different "versions" of the National Anthem that I have heard throughout my life.  I have heard it in an R&B style, a gospel style, blues, rock, and country. Why? Have you ever heard the Canadian, British, Japanese, Spanish, or Chinese National Anthem sung with embellishments or creative interpretation? Maybe this is what our country is based on, but I say there is nothing wrong with honoring tradition and singing/playing our Anthem the way it was written, the way it was intended. British drinking song or no.

Tofu Tally #1

think of pepper spray

straight in the face of a guy

and who would you choose?

I recently closed out my first "Tofu Tally", a small poll on the right-hand side of the blog.  I'm stunned, amazed even, that everyone who voted, voted for our President. Those that voted, did you seriously picture the results in your mind, and could you possibly have more detest for the leader of the free world than for the most well known terrorist in modern times? Sadly, I expected at least one Mickey Mouse, but no. We can all rest soundly at night knowing that 100% of the people who voted wanted to see roast bush.

Thanks for the votes and expect more Tofu Tallies in the near future!!

F'd Up

repeating parrot

mimics the sounds around him

re-vulgarity

Tara: Why do you have a Memorial Day gig for a retirement home on Thursday? Memorial Day was last week.

Me: They're senior citizens and don't know the difference.

Tara: Are you serious?! Shut the fuck up!

Gavin: Fuck up! Fuck up! Fuck up!

VegiPorn

cucumber, onion

a definite work of art

like vegetable porn

So I was out shopping tonight and came across this. Why are people so immature?

Why am I so immature that I laughed for the rest of the shopping trip and right back to my car?

Memorial Day

to all Veterans

ceremony, not enough

to make up for death

I played today at a Veteran's cemetery for a Memorial Day ceremony. I went in to this thinking it was just another day, just another gig. In fact, I even forgot to shave and had to do an emergency scrape in the men's bathroom, something I hate. I knew that there would be speeches, and from experience I knew that we would be outside, standing, in the hot sun. It's sad, but I admit that I was dreading the experience, and now that I think about it, I'm ashamed.

Once out there, we played a few patriotic tunes that were very well appreciated by the audience. It seemed nearly impossible to play in the hot humid atmosphere, the sweat getting in the way of even being able to hold my instrument. As we finished the National Anthem, a military fly-over swept over the audience. Perfect timing. The speakers had spoken about MIA/POWs and what the "missing man" formation means. All of things I knew but had forgotten. Then a woman came to the podium and was introduced as the local representative of the American Gold Star Mothers. This organization is for all mothers of fallen Veterans, all those mothers who gave up their son or daughter in the defense of our country.

I will never remember the words she said or the names of the men she spoke about, but I remember thinking about the mother of my own children, and how she would feel if she lost one of hers to war, to a violent death. It killed me standing there, hearing those stories and shamed me to think of the attitude I had going into the ceremony. I played the last song with everything I had, what little I had to give in honor of those whose mothers wished they could be there to hear. I imagined how little my personal struggle with the heat and humidity meant in comparison with the struggle of those young men and women, and the families they left behind. I don't consider myself a great patriot, and I may not always agree with war, but I can with all I have honor those that lost their lives fighting. To all of those who can't read my words, I thank you for your sacrifice and wish that you had never had to fight.

Thank you, to all Veterans.

Maine Lobster and Chowda

eating fresh lobster

like rich people in a band

chowda was good, too

Only a few days ago, I was in Maine with the band. I have to say that it was a very fun trip, meeting all expectations. It's the opportunities like this that always make me satisfied with my decision to join the band. I'm in the process of trying to earn a nursing degree, and fortunately there will be travel opportunities involved with that career as well, though maybe not as frequent or interesting.

For a band in Memphis to travel to Maine, it was a unique opportunity. I know that I will have little to no chance of getting back up to that area of the United States so I chose to experience a few of the things that the area is known for, namely Maine Lobster and New England Clam Chowder (chowda).

I have to say that the dinner was great, I ate it all up plus some of my friends' appetizers. (Thanks Tones for the glass of wine that went perfect. The golf-dude's wine, I remember). The company was loud, but thats only because we were all so excited to be able to enjoy something so rare. Even so, I'm pretty used to loud, so I opted to go back to my room and chill rather than stay out and drink. I'm not much of a social drinker and wonder at times if the social drinking friends think I'm flipping my nose at their idea of fun. Hope they know that I think they're great fun, but would rather not go out drinking. Anyhow, I had gotten what I came for and know that they all had fun as well. Overall a great trip! If you're ever in New Brunswick and want lobster or chowda (get the seafood chowder!) then try Joshua's, it's yummy and fun.

Things that make me look bad #1

Me: *Buuuuuuurp*

Wife (walking into burp): EEEUCK! Why does your burp smell like shit?!

Me (with a pause for thought): Oh... I farted and burped at the same time, sorry.

Wife: JESUS!! FUCK!