Romance and Politics
Current mood: argumentative
Category: News and Politics

Money  makes the world go round!  All you need is love!  What motivates you when you get up in the morning?  Fame?  Power?  Excitement?  Sometimes I wonder if the real drive behind humanity is something a little less cliché:  A good story.

Take for example, the bustling third week of February 2008.  Are you more excited about a box of chocolates and flowers or the intense drama surrounding Democratic caucus elections being held?  Technically I don't think elections are supposed to be this exciting.  Everyone decides whether or not he or she wants to vote, and if they so choose their vote is tallied and someone is declared a winner.  Done deal.

...but wait!  There's a story behind that vote.  There's a story behind the candidates.  Hell, there might even be a story surrounding your Valentines Day that excites you.  How many times have you fallen for the good-looking one; the one that really lights your fire??  I mean sure, this person might be completely undependable, impractical, and treat you like a piece of... well... you know... but gosh those endorphins kick right on in time after time and you cannot deny the passion!!  In fact, stability is boring.  Completely uninspiring.  The fairytale ending is nothing without a dragon or a wicked witch, right?

When it comes to experiencing passion and being practical, I think we tend to be attracted to fire.  That's what romance is about -- forgetting what makes sense and going with the excitement at all costs.  Taking that into consideration I think it is important to make sure that we are creating light and warmth without becoming the moth burned by the flame; especially when it comes to decisions that are supposed to be practical.  So please my friends, when considering something as important as a leader make sure there is some practical experience behind the good story regardless to how harsh and un-exciting the decision may be.  Among the smoothest talkers in history are the most evil of dictators.

2:41 PM - 5 Comments - 5 Kudos - Add Comment

Catching up and Getting Even
Current mood: chill

I have been so tired lately.  Exhausted.  Truly.

No, wait, I'm not complaining hear me out.  It's totally worth it.  See, I am lucky enough to have great friends and family that truly want me around.  I'm also lucky enough to have the most fun band to play with ever.  I have a great job and a fabulous girlfriend.  I just wish I had more time in the day.

So here's to everyone that has come out to support Getting Even, and understood when I was too busy to visit.  Come see the band tomorrow night and we'll have a beer after I pack up the gear.  We will catch up.

8:06 AM - 3 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

2 Bands
Current mood: cheerful
Category: Music

My music listening phases are always fluctuating but every so often I get into a phase where I'm listening to really great music nobody has ever heard of... YET.

Before Dawn from Austin TX myspace.com/thebandbeforedawn

Joel Plaskett (Thanks Allen for reminding me) joelplaskett.com/

YAY!

Currently listening : Ashtray Rock By Joel Plaskett Emergency Release date: 23 April, 2007

9:34 AM - 2 Comments - 1 Kudos - Add Comment

ACL Picks
Current mood: working
Category: Music

12:45 PM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

I may change my mind about this later.
Current mood: busy
Category: Life

It has come to my attention as I age that I have a strong dischord with those who are not open-minded to my perspective. 

Let it be said that this is not to be interpreted as though I think I am always right.  Instead I find I enjoy most the company of those who are willing to attempt to understand why I think I am right, and are also able to explain their perspective so that I may know the same of them.

As a result, mutual respect is acheived.

That is all.

12:09 AM - 4 Comments - 3 Kudos - Add Comment

Directions to Conans Pizza...
Current mood: blah

...or at least when I did it.

12:36 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Girls with Guitars
Current mood: uncomfortable
Category: Music

I'm sick of seeing pictures of girls posing with guitars like the guitar is a cup of coffee.  It's dumb.  Ok, ok, I know there is at least one picture of me somewhere doing the same thing... but seriously... there's like 10 more of me actually playing my guitar.  I'd even like to think I'm rocking out.

So if you're a chick, and you play, then for gods sake at least grip your baby with a little passion if you can't  play it already!  Grit your teeth or glare evilly or swing it around or something.  Geez.  You look way to wussy to actually play guitar, ok?

9:05 AM - 2 Comments - 1 Kudos - Add Comment

Update!
Current mood: happy
Category: Friends

After two years of draught in Austin, it has been raining for a week straight -- and pretty much on and off all year long.  The lakes are a few feet above "full", which is amazing considering last Summer were well below average revealing islands that are usually hidden at the bottom of the lake, and even a human skeleton from hundreds of years ago.  It would definitely be nice if we had a few days of weekend sunshine to enjoy the lake -- when one finally does emerge I'm sure there will hardly be room for a boat to squeak by.

I, perhaps, am too content.  My ten year high school reunion is coming up in a month and although I've weighed more in my past, I have put on a few pounds since I stopped running.  I'm trying to decide whether to sacrifice my knees for the loss of weight in the next month, and I know there is a better solution but how to fit it into my schedule?  I know the answer -- just suckitup and DOIT!  Yup...

My schedule, speaking of, has been filled with lots and lots of band practice!  This is a good thing.  The guys I'm playing with are exceptionally fun and talented.  Hopefully within a month or so we will be ready to gig -- which is what I REALLY love!  This may be the most fun I've had playing music without being on stage, however, and I don't mind how much of my schedule it consumes.  Is there a patron saint of drummers?  If so, I summon thee for thoust clout with thy Father for all that is drumdome.

Veronica's birthday present finally arrived last week, and it was a pleasure meeting Sir Dominic.  We had a fantastic time and he truly is all of the charming bits of fun and little brother essence that V had promised.  There was also an awesome party at the V household which was one of the best nights "out" that I have had in a long, long time.  Those cats know how to do it right!  Anyhoo, Dominic vows he will be moving to Austin in September and I'm glad!  I know I enjoy having my sister nearby and no doubt Veronica is thrilled!

Dad took Dani and CJ and I to Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago.  I'm not sure about CJ but Dani and I had never been and Oh. My. God.  It was so much fun!  I was only there for 2 days, and only spent $10 on gambling but there were soo many pretty things to see and people to watch.  The awesomest part of the trip was when Dad took us on a helicopter ride into the Grand Canyon.  I have always always always wanted to go to there, but I am not so good with heights.  I thought I would hate it and be disappointed, but it turns out the helicopter is super comfortable and slow and the Canyon was so pretty it's really hard not to be amazed.  Wow.  I just wish Veronica had not had to work -- but next time we go to Vegas she is definitely coming along!

So that's all that is going on in Ashleyland.  Cheers!

7:35 AM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Joe's Bar and Grill

Dixie and I stumbled into Joe's Bar and Grill hungry and optimistic.  We both had been carrying 2 for 1 brunch coupons in our pockets for weeks and although it was Monday night we figured an opportunity to sample the edible delights of the restaurant before using the coupon was a good idea.  Plus we were downtown.  And hungry.  And wanted another whiskey drink.

When we first entered Joe's, I noticed right off the bat that it is more of a bar than a grill.  There were televisions to watch the basketball game, and, although over-salted, a shuffleboard table.  Having been coached by some of the best shuffleboard players in town, Dixie and I were delighted at the prospect of playing a game after dinner.

We plunked ourselves at the mostly empty bar and waited for the bartender to notice us.  Dixie pointed out that she didn't see anyone else eating and we wondered if they served food on Monday nights.  The bartender finally overheard the conversation we were having, handed us menus and invited us to take a seat at a table.  It quickly became apparent that a keen eye is not a trait the employees at Joes; it seemed like an eternity before the waitress noticed us and took our initial order.  We decided to order the mini-burgers since they were on special and, of course, 2 more whiskey drinks.

The whiskey drinks were gone when our mini-burgers arrived, cold, dry, and uninteresting.  We had plenty of time to ponder the menu, so we ordered the jumbo grilled shrimp and the ravioli appetizers.

As we waited and watched the basketball game, a group of young men started playing shuffleboard.  It was unfortunate for us since they obviously did not really know how to play the game.  Eventually our food arrived, and the shrimp, although large, were bland and the ravioli tasted like they were fresh out of the freezer.  We decided to opt out of a game of shuffleboard and hit the pavement -- surely there was a better time to be had in downtown Austin.  Dixie and I glanced only briefly at the half-uneaten food as we threw our coupons away at the door on our way out.

8:30 AM - 3 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Sorry, V, I may be stealing your bit
Current mood: content

Rightexactlynow I am listening to George W. Bush make an address concerning the spending bill currently in congress.  One can't help but enjoy the irony of the background noise -- chirping birds interrupted by sirens from fire engines passing by.

Louisiana is a ass-backwards state most of the time.  There are some political ideals, however, that I miss about my home state.  One, for example, was a law that required only one topic to be approached in an amendment to the state constitution.  I think this same law should apply to bills in congress -- no tacking on completely irrelevant topics to sway the meaning of a bill for political manipulation.

On the other hand, I like the bill in congress right now.  Compromise means nobody is 100% happy.

Oh well, I'm going to the beach.

7:19 AM - 2 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment