Hit with the Christmas Spirit

Of all things to be fended off with, I think this one takes the cake.

The incident began in Del Paso Heights when Donald Kercell, 49, became drunk and then got angry, Sgt. Norm Leong said.
Kercell grabbed a knife at about 5:45 p.m. and went outside of a residence in the 3600 block of Dayton Street to confront neighbors, police said.

Leong said Kercell swung the knife and went after some people, adding that some of those being chased suffered minor injuries.
A bystander picked up a 2-foot-long candy cane decoration, smacked Kercell with it and disarmed him, Leong said.

As if it probably isn't bad enough for this guy that he's being arrested for some drunken impulse decision, he was beaten down with a big plastic holiday treat. I think the only thing that could possibly be worse is if it were a part of a nativity scene instead. Guess the three gifts given were gold, frankenscence, and whoop-ass.

Sunset in Costa Rica

We got in too late the first night to see daylight here, but on day
two (after a grueling four hour standing room only bus ride) we're in
La Fortuna to see sunset behind Volcan Arenal. I took this photo in
shorts and no shirt, so it's nice to think that it's probably snowing
back home right now.

Classy

I was walking to a friend's apartment the other day, and saw this guy
parked on the street. It takes either huge balls or complete
obliviousness to park right there.

Breakfast in Texas

People in Texas sure love their state.

Most Creative Packaging Ever

Or not.

Madison's Month of Music

Aliteration is fun, but live shows are even better. And April in Madison is ranging to be up there with one of the best months a city besides Chicago, New York, or LA has seen for music in a long time (this is of course based on personal taste which is either equal to or much better than yours *said with a smirk*).

Starting with back to back nights barely into the month, 4/3 is Cursive at Club 770 in the UW Union South, followed on 4/4 by Vampire Weekend at the High Noon. Regretably, I forgot about the second show until it was already sold out, but I believe Jess and I should be making the Cursive outing (Capgun Coup opens).

After that we go "the right way for a smacked bottom", to quote one Austin Powers. 4/8 sees Rogue Wave and Blitzen Trapper descend upon the High noon, and then just when you don't think that venue could take any more, Cloud Cult pops in for an epehereal night on 4/11. If I get my way, I'll be at both of those shows.

I'm taking a long weeknd to DeKalb the 12th to 15th, but don't let that stop anyone from checking out Clutch at the Majestic on 4/14. I almost want to drive back up from DeKalb for this one and then go back again, but gas is just too damn much right now.

4/17 pulls two ways, with Minus the Bear at Club 770, Man Man and Yeasayer at The Annex. And MxPx is at The Loft. While I'm not much for punk, MxPx is a fairly big name and should draw a crowd.

Alas, the Broken Social Scene show on the 19th at the Memorial Terrace has been canceled. If not, I'd be there like a new nose on Michael Jackson. But fear not, one need only wait until the 21st for another double threat: Reverend Horton Heat w/ Nashville Pussy at the Majestic, and The New Pornographers w/ Okkervil River at the Orpheum, which I will be attending.

4/23 the Blue Man Group Megastar tour passes through town again, and the Chicago Afrobeat Project slides into the High Noon on the 24th. And then the 25th The Kids In The Hall reunite at the Barrymore for wonderful, offbeat sketch comedy.

Things slow down a bit after that, with a few shows I might check out, but nothing I feel the need to mention. But I'll be starting May off right too: 5/3...High Noon...Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. If Madison could get rocked any harder, it would be from a nuclear blast.

A wonderful tribute from a new neighbor

I was back in DeKalb for a few hours this weekend with Jess for her
alumni symposium for the journalism department, and on the way out of town I wanted to go past Upstaging, since I hadn'tseen it since all the construction was finished on the buildings. While it looks much nicer than I remember, it was also nice to see they had a gobo made up with the remembrance ribbon for the NIU shooting of Feb 14th. You can count the number of years Upstaging has been in the neighboring town of Sycamore on one hand, but I know they've already taken up a relationship with the theatre department at NIU, as well as giving many students employment, of which I was one my last year there. Whoever made the decision at the company to put this up, I thank you. It's been tough for me, still knowing people living and attending classes in DeKalb, and while this tribute is a little off the beaten path, it's nice to see such a new part of the community making this kind display tobremember the tragedy that happened on campus which won't soon be forgotten.

Stranded in the snow

Jess and I came across this yesterday on the way home from an
afternoon of No Country for Old Men at the Orpheum, followed by steamy
drinks at Michelangelo's. Reminds me of when I was a kid and lost
many a GI Joe outside over the winter.

Auto woes

I think perhaps I should give up driving...

Really though, it's been a bad week for me and cars. Last Thursday the
fuel pump went out on the van, which is finally prompting shopping for
a new car, since I'm done fixing this thing.

So I've been using Jess's car to get to work this week. Which will
most likely be done as of today. On my way home tonight, I stopped the
car just short of it overheating, and in turning it back on after
letting it cool down a bit it sounds like there's metal hitting metal
in the engine.

I was hoping to spend a few more days looking for my new ride, but
this may speed things up considerably.

Take that Dick Vitale

I'm sitting at Tires Plus waiting to get my oil changed, and the
Maryland v. UNC game is on TV, and #1 UNC just got upset. I hate
listening to Dicky V yap endlessly on about UNC, so watching what just
took place makes sitting here reading Car and Driver a bit more
bearable.

Just a theory

This might sound just a bit similar if you've ever seen the movie PCU, but I think "Everybody Loves Raymond" is on TV any hour of the day, just on varying channels.