2/11/08 - 9:17pm PST (tips up)
Doh... I gotta change that top graphic...

I finally locked into some bindings and flung myself down a steep mountain today... it felt amazing. First time I've been skiing in at least 6 years... but it all came back immediately. West coast snow is actually similar to that of the mid-Atlantic. Wet, thick, and uneven. Only its deep. Rather than the 10-20" base you're lucky to see in MD and PA, there is over 10 feet of snow on Snoqualmie Summit right now, and more falling every day. Yet 50 miles west in Seattle, it was 50 and breezy. This place rules.

Went for a little motorsickle ride out to Camano Island. Not terribly thrilling, mostly private property, but beautiful views even in the gloom of a Washington February.

I snapped a few pictures in Memphis, but not much. While I should have remembered to get one of the Honky Tonk Angel tour guide at Sun, I was a little bit stupefied in her presence. But I did manage to snap one of the few historically-preserved views of the studio - the receptionist's desk. Not as exciting as the studio itself (covered in large photographs of Elvis, Cash, Jerry Lee, et al)... but a great time warp. The place Elvis, Cash, Jerry Lee, et al walked in and said, "I wanna make a record."

I did manage to get one interesting photo of the studio - the ceiling Sam Philiips designed, still with the original acoustic tiles in place. They don't make 'em like that anymore.

The Washington caucuses were this past weekend. I wanted to participate, but it turns out independents had to sign some sort of party affiliation form... so I figured I'd wait until the actual primary later this month, then I found the primary has no real effect on delegates. Yay Democracy!

It has been an interesting race so far. The preacher has a strong following, the constitution-only outsider has considerable symbolic support, yet the creepy guy shoo-in was out faster than anyone could have imagined (whichever creepy guy shoo-in you want, there were a few). The Dems were pretty much Obama/Clinton from the get-go... but watching Hillary start to make more drastic maneuvers, especially since the real dirt has yet to be flung, is telling.

I've been intrigued by the strong xenophobic anti-Obama sentiment from the anchor-right. Not surprised, but intrigued. I'll be the first to admit he's got very little in the way of actual experience or results to go on (though the same is true for Hillary, so I don't understand her constant drone of "being the only Dem ready to go on day one") so I don't understand why they feel the need to constantly remind us that his dad is muslim (and that's one of the softballs from that camp). My point is, he's clearly a great orator, tireless cheerleader, and magnetic public figure. That alone should be a welcome change in the White House.

After years of racing to the edges, it looks like it might just come down to Obama vs. McCain - two somewhat foggy-valued, across-the-isle relative-centrists with wit, charm, and mass appeal to people who just want to forget about the last 8 years as soon as possible. I'm happy to see that, but its a long way to November. I'm sure they'll find a way to ruin that happy thought.

See?

Heading to Memphis for the 4th year in a row in less than 36 hours. I'm excited. Haven't seen or played with Clarence and the band in months, but we've been trading MP3s back and forth. And in the end, either you got it or you don't.

I do.

I've only had it a few days, but I really really like it. Light and flickable like the SV, but with the upright ergos of the DL. Shock travel like a dirt bike, but full cases like a touring bike. ABS and heated grips complete the BMW-ness factor, and of course 60mpg helps tug the heart strings too.

Take a close look at the full size version of that pic. That's a few blocks away from my apartment, on my regular commute into work. Lately, its been very cold, but very clear. The views of both the Olympic Range and the Cascades have been amazing, especially against the somewhat boring low-density residential foreground or north Seattle.

The other day, Sara and I checked out Discovery Park... more incredible views (you could see Mt. Rainier and even Mt. Baker - over 80 miles away) bright and clear. Swedish children like to bang sticks on the sand. Rainier is the big menacing volcano on the horizon.

There was a small lighthouse on the tip of the point, and a good bit of old fashioned irony to go with it.

Snowshoeing is on tap for Monday, then I'm off to Memphis Wednesday for the 4th time in as many years to live it up, and do what I love with the people I love. 2008 is definitely off to a great start.

(pix for china)

'01 BMW F650GS. Heated grips, ABS, top and side cases, 700 miles. Garage kept (literally).

fingers crossed.

Didn't think I'd make the show, but I just got back from catching Joey DeFrancesco, Byron Landham, and Pat Bianchi at Jazz Alley... smokin' set, great food, good company. Its been a good day.

What a year. No need to get all mooshy or verbose... just a great year, all tolled. Took some risks, enjoyed some fortunate surprises, fulfilled some dreams, made some new friends, caught up with old friends, and now have only two states in the lower 48 to see (AZ and NM - and Alaska is just down the road)

Reminded myself (and actually took to heart) that ultimately, only I am responsible for my happiness and fulfillment, sometimes more than others depending on the chemicals. I learned just how much I can take of some things, and just how much I can give to others. And sometimes, unfortunately, those two limits intersect.

But 2008 will be a big year as well... possibly even bigger. Personally, locally, nationally, and internationally. Some days it feels like the dawn of an exciting new era... some days that exciting new era may or may not be the Apocalypse, (but what a show its going to be regardless).

I'm pretty optimistic these days, though. More than one friend has commented in the last few months that I seem "different," but in a good way. I think I'm back into a good groove that was interrupted a few years back. Sure, it still leans on the spirit of others now and then (so don't leave me hanging, and I'll do the same for you), but it also benefits heavily from being in such a great place, filled with such hollow, callous people who complain about everything even though life here is so good. I think, ultimately, 2008 will be propped up even higher by my feelings of pity and smug superiority over the naysaying politically-correct liberal-guilt-wracked pessimists who fill this beautiful town. And none of them can drive. Actually, now that I think about it, its not much different than MD. Oh wait, the air is clean, I don't pay income tax, and I haven't seen a cop in weeks. Like I said, paradise.

Turning 30 next week, will hopefully have the cats here this month, Memphis is just around the corner, Sara passed the WA bar (woohoo!) and will be setting out on her own soon.... big stuff is already brewing and we're only a few hours in. Here's to a prosperous, fun-fulled 2008 all around, and thanks for making 2007 so memorable -

more pix are here (China link coming soon). Good times all around... hope it has been the same for you.

Second only to the stoic Charlie Brown's Christmas, this is always my favorite Christmas cartoon. It only aired once, on Saturday Night Live, but winds up being one of those most poignant commentaries on the state of pop religion ever made.... by Triumph the Insult Comic Dog creator Robert Smeigel, no less.

Shortly after this aired 10 years ago, I did an experiment where I just let a VCR run for a few hours, then went to editing.

I think that's it for now. Hope you've all had a wonderful Christmas or whatever it is you do this time of year (winter solstice, really - and out here that means the sun is down at about 4:15pm). I'm gonna go up to the mountains and play in the snow.

12/17/07 - 1:01am PST (iced perfume)
To the lovely ladies at BWI - I'm sorry to leave you hanging.

Life is, not to over-dramatize things, pretty damn good lately. Its finally become cold and grey and wet like the Seattle stereotype dictates, but maybe its Christmas... maybe its just the process of settling in... or maybe its that my good friend and favorite bartender Jessica has a knack for improvising fantastic drinks based solely on obscure adjectives I give her... but things are just really good lately.

And its not just a temporary-chemical-imbalance-working-in-your-favor kind of good... its legitimate goodness. At what point have you walked out of your home and been face to face with a llama? (No, Rachel, boisterous Greek parades don't count, but they're close) In my case, it was last week. The Ballard neighborhood has a monthly open house at all of the art galleries, and the glass workshop across the street from me had Christmas Llamas. Christmas Llamas. Llamas for Christmas. Those things.

Save for the fun sit-in session with a great blues band one night while the frontman was away (once he returned, I found him to be terribly douchey and not very interested in my joining them agian), I've been wondering what Seattle had to offer in the way of music. I put up a Craigslist ad basically outlining what my influences were and what I was looking to do. In a town with more dumb, predictable, generic indie pop bands per square mile than anywhere else in the world, I wasn't hoping for much.

One response that jumped out at me was from a house DJ who was looking to put together a live band. That very concept is the foundation of DC Go-Go : having a band who can keep a party going non-stop better than a DJ ever could. And with the gospel and soul background, and the strong exposure to the Baltimore house scene over the years... it seemed like it could work. But any Seattle show I've been to with any sense of a danceable beat was met with cold hipster crossing-of-arms. Could Seattle dance?

They could. Our first show was Thursday and 65% of it was improvised on the spot. A good turnout was made better by a large party that was already in the venue before we started, and decided to stick around after they heard what we were doing. The band was excellent, especially considering we had about four prior rehearsals total, and were making it up as we went along. (long track, but fun, especially around 12m and 20m when I go all silly)

The same time this was going on, my beloved Egg Babies cover band in Baltimore was doing a show. I'd have loved to be there at the Ottobar covering everything from Evil Woman and Care of Cell 44 to Holiday Road from European Vacation, but alas, I was in charge of Seattle's sole bootyshakin' outlet that night.

Not content with the regular trips up to the mountains, I needed some fresh pine scent in my living room. I wound up picking up a real Christmas tree for the first time in years and years... the Boy Scouts were selling them a block away. I carried mine home. I don't have good pix of it yet, but they're coming. Its simple. White lights, red glass balls, a classic angel up top. Sara made me some fun ornaments, and I have a Space Needle ornament I picked up for $1 at Safeway. More decorations are pending.

I spent all day today wrapping up my cards and presents, reflecting back on the year, and just feeling good. Here's hoping the holidays are having the same effect on you.

The following picture was a candidate for this year's Christmas card, but was rejected for its inherent cheesiness. (Honestly, it was just the smile... c'mon man... you can't really be *that* happy can you?) Fortunately, yes.

I never thought I'd say this, but BMW truly had the most interesting bikes in the entire show. While the Big 4 Japanese manufacturers still show one innovative sportbike and 27 decade-old legacy cruisers and dirt bikes that no one cares about, BMW's *oldest* model on display was introduced in 2003. My favorites were the new F800GS, an 85hp parallel-twin true dual-sport with 21" front wheel and 9" of shock travel that gets 60mpg even with full hard luggage (and sends both V-Stroms cowering in the corner), and the HP2 Sport limited-run track bike slathered in carbon fiber and more trick race parts than ever, hinting at BMW's eventual World SBK premiere next year. We also debuted a 450 motocross bike that locks horns with KTM, who happened to debut a new line of street-only bikes aimed square at the blue propellers. BMW v. KTM will no doubt be the big battle of the next 10 years.

I've been looking at dual-sports a lot. Washington is full of gravel and dirt roads that meander into nowhere... there are far more trails in this state than there are paved roads. I could probably get a good deal on a BMW F650, and the KLR is even cheaper and more ubiquitous... but I test-sat a Suzuki DR-650 today and damn if it wasn't perfect. And its oil-cooled and carbureted! And hilariously cheap! So cheap, I can just keep the Seca II and have two outdated, low-tech, old-fashioned Japanese bikes that are indestructible and not sexy at all. Bonus!

Enough motorcycle babble. Did I mention I also paid some really cute tomboyish lesbians to squirt goo in my ear? It was a great day. And we had snow. Oh, and lots of beer. And I can't make it through the cold and rainy winter here without the Hazlewood hot toddy. Jessica knows to make mine with bourbon, too. And muddled ginger. God, I love that bar.

Like I said, a new round of music is on your right (is anyone even listening to those??). Life's good. Hope it is for you, too-