I Do Stuff and Don't Write Ever

Hmmmm, maybe I should post something. God, this blog really is lame. Honestly it's sort of a sham even trying to call it a blog.

The sad thing is, I've actually done some stuff. I mean nothing making for a great story, but at least something to document for my own enjoyment. Anyway, what to report ...

I went to see Kottonmouth Kings at House of Blues. Nothing great, but it was enjoyable enough. Worth the cost of admission I'd say. KMKs obsession with weed sometimes gets a little tired, but that's their thing so I roll with it. And the kids seem to love it. The crowd was a pretty awful collection of trash. But entertaining, stoned as fuck trash so who am I to complain? Also cool was one of the openers, La Coka Nostra. Pretty much House of Pain with two extras doing all gangsta-themed tunes. Sometimes a bit corny with the toughguy act, but still so much better than all to so-called rap/hip-hop that is out today. As a nostalgia bonus, they even did three House of Pain songs. Dare I say timeless?

Also I went down to Pittsburgh to see the Penguins vs. Rangers. Pretty sweet. Good seats, a close game, some fights, some laughs. I like that Pittsburgh. It's a fun little city. Sort of what Cleveland should be but isn't. Damn this Cleveland.

Also, I had two high school friends visit. Both for one day only and separately. One on Thursday and then another on Monday. One was passing through town and then the other was in town for work. We did some site seeing (such as it is in the Cleve), eating, drinking and had some good laughs. Visitors are always fun.

This weekend Cleveland should be pretty active for once. It's the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction. I'm not going because I am an idiot (or maybe smart, I'm not sure) but good for Cleveland. And for Metallica and Run DMC and the rest of the inductees.

That's it. I have to go shower, pay some bills and make some lunch for tomorrow. See you again soon at some point.

A Bunch of Stuff

Not surprisingly I have been absent from my blogging for longer than intended. Again. Oddly, I have actually had things to write about, but just haven't sat down to do it. Why? Who could say? I know I have a list of potential reasons, but none are really valid so F it. I won't even try.

Let's see, maybe a little recap of things that have happened that could have been cool stories, but since I am packing them into one post it will be perhaps slightly abbreviated ...

Number 1, football. I play in a league with some work folk. It's co-ed and two-hand touch. This sounds like a good combination for perverts such as myself, but two things hinder the perversion. One, it's winter and everybody wears lots of clothes, including gloves and two, most of the girls are scary and not really the sorts that I want to touch. And I'm guessing for the most part they aren't into the gents anyway. That's purely speculation, but I'll stick with my gut on this one.

Every week football is a mess. There are (again) two factors that influence this. One, we are pretty awful and two, Mother Nature. Every week the weather and the field conditions are different. Muddy, snowy, frozen, rain, slush, wind, you name it.

Three memorable football events over the last few weeks: One week it was sort of warm. I even wore shorts. BUT, there was leftover snow on the ground. This snow was melting, but not entirely, so we were playing in slushy water the whole game. Water over the tops of my feet. Ice water essentially. Our feet were so numb by the end that it was scary. I was seriously wondering if I had done permanent damage. As it turns out, I'm a overreacting pussy and we were fine. But Jesus that was uncomfortable. Also a highlight of that game, and memorable moment number two, is a girl from the other team gave a guy on my team the hardest slap I've ever seen administered. It was awesome. And really over nothing. His face was red until halftime and she got kicked out. The last memorable moment that I will mention is the game following the slush and the slap. My friend Mike and I were playing defense and guarding our guys, when they crossed each other we managed to run into each other full steam. We both got knocked pretty good, but Mike went down. When I got to him his mouth was a bloody mess and he was looking dazed. He eventually got up and made his way to the sidelines before eventually going home. His teeth were all intact as was his nose. After he had left, another guy on my team asked, "What part of you ran into him?" I said, "I think it was my shoulder but I'm not sure. But my shoulder sort of hurts so I'm guessing that was it." He said, "Oh yeah, it was your shoulder." I look and there is blood spatter and a piece of lip on the shoulder of the fleece I was wearing. Update: Photo now available here. I'm a murderer.

Number 2, I went to a pretty sweet birthday party at a place just east of downtown CL. The bar was great. 100 years old, cool owners/bartenders, good jukebox, snacks, beers I never see anymore (Stroh's?) a dog, a cat and fun times all around. Read these little blurbs about this place here and you'll get the idea: Playboy | Esquire

Number 3, I attended a show at Beachland Ballroom. It was Tim Fite as the headliner with Benjy Ferree and Elephant Bones opening. I had listened to Benjy Ferree online and was sort of looking forward to it live but was slightly let down. I like the more "old timey" sounding stuff (e.g. "Fear" on the MySpace page) but there wasn't all that much of that. They were fine. I guess I was just expecting something a bit different. Thumbs up to local guys, Elephant Bones. A good sound. Solid, gimmick-free rock (other than the singer's hat I suppose.) Fite was odd but good. Certainly entertaining. It's cool to see someone just doing their thing. I'm sure he's not making much (if any) money, but he keeps making weird, non-radio friendly music (art?) because that's what he wants to do. Amen to that.

Number 4, I had shingles. Not the flat, tar/stone sheets that go on your roof. This sort of shingles. My waist along my left side felt weird for like a week, almost like I had dry skin or like my pants had rubbed there or something, but I couldn't see anything. Then one day I woke up and the whole area (especially heading down towards my crotch) was tender and it hurt to sit. When odd feelings start progressing towards my "junk" I get nervous, so I went to the doctor. He knew right away what I had. I got some medicine to decrease the discomfort, I rested up a bit and now I'm pretty much back to 100%. I'm a medical misfit!

Alright, I'm going to go finish a movie I started yesterday and get to bed. I'll try to come back and give you a little update on this coming weekend as well as an update on some communications.

Another Chunk of Not Blogging

Oh, blog ... how long it's been. I'm just not so good at this anymore. Am I busy? Not really. Lacking in things to say? Never. Lazy? Not really even that. I just haven't felt like sitting down and typing. Oddly, every time I do sit down and type I enjoy it, yet I don't seem to remember that's the case for more than 30 seconds afterwards though. So anyway, it's been awhile.

What's been happening?

Well I have been working a lot. I guess not necessarily more than usual, but work has been more of a shitshow than usual. I'm starting to hate it some. Busy, new routine, confusion ... it all leads to exhaustion and irritation. Neither of which are my friend.

I also had a little time off from the place of employment. A few weeks back I went to my parent's summer place in New York State. It was my annual venture there. Usually I gather up a posse of some sort but this year the turnout was a bit sparse due to shitty planning on my part and shitty weather on Mother Nature's part. It was still fun though. Hanging out, drinking, grilling, making fires, sleeping, etc.

The following week, I went out to Seattle for a friend's wedding. It was pretty damn good. Rainy, but good. I really like that town and the people who live there. A good overall vibe I think. I always say that yet never pack up my shit and move there. Dumb. One thing worth mentioning is these guys: Skillet Street Food. They were the peeps hired to do the food at the wedding and holy shit was it good. Tasty burgers w/fries, salmon over risotto, killer pulled pork, clam chowder ... my mouth waters just thinking about it. Honestly. It was great. Best wedding food I have ever had. I also saw some cool shit at the Seattle Aquarium and in the Underground Tour. It also should be noted that one day I went out to a happy hour, drank a bunch and proceeded to stay long enough that I was still there (and participated in) happy hour number two at the same bar. I didn't feel very awesome the next day, this much is for certain.

Since my return to The Cleve, I went on a bit of a concert binge. I saw three shows in nine days. Maybe that's not really a binge, but it was certainly ample. I saw Everlast, Rise Against and (hold on to your fucking head) Hanson. Yes, that Hanson. Oh, boy I have gotten a little odd in my old age.

Everlast was OK, but nothing great. Definitely a good entertainer. I just wasn't into his set.

Rise Against was good. More screaming/punkish than on their albums but that's certainly not a complaint as I like me some screaming. My only issue with that show was that it was overpriced as hell. I blame Live Nation, not Rise Against.

And Hanson. Honestly, Hanson was (were?) pretty impressive. If you could eliminate all of the screaming females it would be much more easily accepted by me and probably many others. But that screaming isn't going to go away. That's just part of the package I'm afraid. But despite that screaming they put on a good show, sound good and obviously have talent.

Not to be all abrupt or anything but I'm wrapping this up. I'm off to bed. Another fun-filled day of bullshit awaits tomorrow I'm sure. Perhaps I'll make this blog happen yet. Don't hold your breath, but keep the occasional eye out.

Saturday Check-In

Again with the posting slackeritis. I'm horrible at this. Whatever I guess. Not much to report. Life isn't all that exciting these days.

I guess there were a few activities of note in the last week or so to mention. Those would be an outing to see Local H at Roc Bar, me running a 10K (this is me), a wedding and a Ribfest.

Local H is getting older (like me) but still bring the rock pretty damn hard. You can't beat the amount of noise they generate, especially being just two guys. It's impressive. I bought their newest album at the show and the guy selling the merchandise was none other than Scott, the singer. His music straight to my ears and my money straight into his pocket. No middlemen necessary!

The 10K was pretty OK. I mean, running isn't really that fun, but as far as running a 10K goes I guess it went well. It was lightly raining but other than that no complaints. I finished right around my goal, beat one of my co-workers and I didn't even feel too shitty the days following.

The wedding was a co-worker's in Pennsylvania. Sort of last second style, definitely D list, but food and drink and people making asses of themselves on the dance floor is always OK no matter what list you're on. I have to say the wedding scene is a little strange for me as mine didn't really work out so well. This whole separation has made me more cynical than ever. And that sort of makes me nuts inside.

The Ribfest is an annual thing in The Cleve. And I know why. Those ribs are tasty as hell. It's not the cheapest way to stuff your face on a sunny Sunday, but sometimes spending money is worth it. Especially when ribs and rubs and sauces spend some time in the smoker and/or over coals. Delicious.

That's all for now. I'm going to go browse some cars in a used car lot up the road to see if they've got anything for me or if it will least strike up some inspiration for something motorized.