John Butler Trio at Variety Playhouse

I caught John Butler Trio last night at Variety Playhouse in Atlanta. I'm guessing that many of you haven't had a chance to listen to the band's music, if you've even heard of them at all, but this is one of the most talented groups out there touring today. I first learned of them from the editor of Paste magazine during our weekly segment with him on Headline News. I jotted down the name "John Butler" and placed it at the back of my brain. Then, this summer, when I was checking out the grids for New Orleans Jazz Fest, that name popped out at me. I had only heard one clip of a song from JBT, the one we played on Headline News, but it was just enough to convince me that there was something special in this band. So, I convinced my buddies that we should check them out in the blues tent on our first day at Jazz Fest. Well, even after seeing Widespread Panic, Dave Matthews, and a host of other bands, we all agreed that JBT was the highlight of the weekend. Anyway, I ended up going to see them last night by myself because it's difficult to convince people to go see an act they've never really heard of... even if it was only $15. Just like they did at Jazz Fest, JBT blew the crowd away - Mr. Butler can pick a guitar like an animal. So, if you happen to get a chance to see them in your town, do it. This is a band we will be hearing for a long time, and they're better than 99% of the crap that's out there right now. By the way, Tristan Prettyman, hailing from Steve Poltz country in San Diego, opened the show and did a great job. She's beautiful.

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Thomas Roberts Wears Flip Flops

It gets really warm in our Headline News studio, so Thomas wears flips with his suit and tie to keep cool. You don't see it because, as a general rule, nobody is really supposed to see the anchor's feet. But, I assure you, he's sporting Abercrombie & Fitch sandals. I'll try and bring my digital camera into work one of these days and provide you all with further evidence. Anyway, just thought I would share (since he's sitting at the anchor desk, right now, reading my blog). To learn more about Mr. Roberts, visit his bio at cnn.com.

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Humans Say the Darndest Things

25 Mind-Numbingly Stupid Quotes About Hurricane Katrina And Its Aftermath

I'm sure some of you have already received and read this email, but here it is:

1) "I don't think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees." –President Bush, on "Good Morning America," Sept. 1, 2005, six days after repeated warnings from experts about the scope of damage expected from Hurricane Katrina

2) "What I'm hearing which is sort of scary is that they all want to stay in Texas. Everybody is so overwhelmed by the hospitality. And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway so this (chuckle) – this is working very well for them." –Former First Lady Barbara Bush, on the hurricane evacuees at the Astrodome in Houston, Sept. 5, 2005

3) "We've got a lot of rebuilding to do ... The good news is — and it's hard for some to see it now — that out of this chaos is going to come a fantastic Gulf Coast, like it was before. Out of the rubbles of Trent Lott's house — he's lost his entire house — there's going to be a fantastic house. And I'm looking forward to sitting on the porch." (Laughter) —President Bush, touring hurricane damage, Mobile, Ala., Sept. 2, 2005

4) "Considering the dire circumstances that we have in New Orleans, virtually a city that has been destroyed, things are going relatively well." –FEMA Director Michael Brown, Sept. 1, 2005

5) "Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job." –President Bush, to FEMA director Michael Brown, while touring hurricane-ravaged Mississippi, Sept. 2, 2005

6) "Now tell me the truth boys, is this kind of fun?" –House Majority Leader Tom Delay (R-TX), to three young hurricane evacuees from New Orleans at the Astrodome in Houston, Sept. 9, 2005

7) "Well, I think if you look at what actually happened, I remember on Tuesday morning picking up newspapers and I saw headlines, 'New Orleans Dodged the Bullet.' Because if you recall, the storm moved to the east and then continued on and appeared to pass with considerable damage but nothing worse." –Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, blaming media coverage for the government's failings, "Meet the Press," Sept. 4, 2005

8) "What didn't go right?'" –President Bush, as quoted by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), after she urged him to fire FEMA Director Michael Brown "because of all that went wrong, of all that didn't go right" in the Hurricane Katrina relief effort

9) "I mean, you have people who don't heed those warnings and then put people at risk as a result of not heeding those warnings. There may be a need to look at tougher penalties on those who decide to ride it out and understand that there are consequences to not leaving." –Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA), Sept. 6, 2005

10) "You simply get chills every time you see these poor individuals...many of these people, almost all of them that we see are so poor and they are so black, and this is going to raise lots of questions for people who are watching this story unfold." –CNN's Wolf Blitzer, on New Orleans' hurricane evacuees, Sept. 1, 2005

11) "We finally cleaned up public housing in New Orleans. We couldn't do it, but God did." –Rep. Richard Baker (R-LA) to lobbyists, as quoted in the Wall Street Journal

12) "If one person criticizes [the local authorities’ relief efforts] or says one more thing, including the president of the United States, he will hear from me. One more word about it after this show airs, and I…I might likely have to punch him, literally." –Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA), "This Week with George Stephanopoulos," Sept. 4, 2005

13) "There are a lot of lessons we want to learn out of this process in terms of what works. I think we are in fact on our way to getting on top of the whole Katrina exercise." –Vice President Dick Cheney, Sept. 10, 2005

14) "I believe the town where I used to come – from Houston, Texas, to enjoy myself, occasionally too much – will be that very same town, that it will be a better place to come to." –President Bush, on the tarmac at the New Orleans airport, Sept. 2, 2005

15) "I have not heard a report of thousands of people in the convention center who don't have food and water." –Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, on NPR's "All Things Considered," Sept. 1, 2005

16) "Last night, we showed you the full force of a superpower government going to the rescue." –MSNBC's Chris Matthews, Sept. 1, 2005

17) "We just learned of the convention center – we being the federal government – today." –FEMA Director Michael Brown, to ABC's Ted Koppel, Sept. 1, 2005, to which Koppel responded: "Don't you guys watch television? Don't you guys listen to the radio? Our reporters have been reporting on it for more than just today."

18) "Mayor Nagin and most mayors in this country have a hard time getting their people to work on a sunny day, let alone getting them out of the city in front of a hurricane." –Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA), on why New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin failed to follow the city's evacuation plan and press the buses into service, "Fox News Sunday," Sept. 11, 2005

19) "Louisiana is a city that is largely under water." –Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, news conference, Sept. 3, 2005

20) "I also want to encourage anybody who was affected by Hurricane Corina to make sure their children are in school." –First Lady Laura Bush, twice referring to a "Hurricane Corina" while speaking to children and parents in South Haven, Mississippi, Sept. 8, 2005

21) "It's totally wiped out. ... It's devastating, it's got to be doubly devastating on the ground." –President Bush, turning to his aides while surveying Hurricane Katrina flood damage from Air Force One, Aug. 31, 2005

22)"But I really didn't hear that at all today. People came up to me all day long and said 'God bless your son,' people of different races and it was very, very moving and touching, and they felt like when he flew over that it made all the difference in their lives, so I just don't hear that." –Former First Lady Barbara Bush to CNN's Larry King, after King asked her how she felt when people said that her son "doesn't care" about race, Sept. 5, 2005

23) "FEMA is not going to hesitate at all in this storm. We are not going to sit back and make this a bureaucratic process. We are going to move fast, we are going to move quick, and we are going to do whatever it takes to help disaster victims." -FEMA Director Michael Brown, Aug. 28, 2005

24) "I understand there are 10,000 people dead. It's terrible. It's tragic. But in a democracy of 300 million people, over years and years and years, these things happen." --GOP strategist Jack Burkman, on MSNBC's "Connected," Sept. 7, 2005

25) "A young [black] man walks through chest deep floodwater after looting a grocery store in New Orleans..." "Two [white] residents wade through chest-deep water after finding bread and soda from a local grocery store after Hurricane Katrina came through the area in New Orleans..." –captions at Yahoo News, Aug. 30, 2005

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Another Song About Mexico

Took this photo of Roger Clyne last night at Smith's Olde Bar - Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers are from Arizona. For those of you who aren't familiar with these guys, here's the two-second history: Used to be called The Refreshments. Had a hit single called "Banditos." The chorus was, "Everybody knows that the world is full of stupid people, so meet me at the mission at midnight - we'll divvy up there..." They also did the theme music to Fox's "King of the Hill." The Refreshments split up and reformed as Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers. And that's that. Other songs you may know are "Mexico," "Mekong," and "Down Together." However, they're prolific beyond their hits. Whatever that means. They're a great band, but they sorta make me laugh. These days, I'm so into my improvisational-based rock (which is a snobby way of saying JAM BANDS), that I find myself slightly bored at other types of shows. Actually, bored isn't the right word... this is impossible at a Roger Clyne show. It's just that when I see the Allman Brothers, or moe., or Widespread Panic, I have no idea what they are going to play. Everything is a mystery. But when I see Roger Clyne or Jimmy Buffett (mind you, both being favorites of mine), I go into the show knowing what I will get to hear. That element of surprise is sort of gone. Not only that, but I have to wonder how uninspired the artists are on some nights having to play, say, "Margaritaville" again. Seriously, I can't get up for a Buffett show like I used to. Buffett used to be the center of my world (which is sad), but now it's like I'm going through the motions with him. Roger puts on a slightly less predictable show, always packed with enormous energy, but I still know what's coming out. I'd pay much much more to see these guys come out and NOT play the hits - throw caution to the wind and play some of the less popular songs. I know these hits are what sells and why most people make it out to the shows, but I hope for something more. Life is not supposed to be predictable... that's why we live it and travel and take chances. I suppose I shouldn't be complaining. I'm not. Like I said, Roger puts on an incredible show, and all of his songs are well thought out, meaningful, and catchy. I just don't see how he can keep doing this with the same enthusiasm until he's old - it would be great to see him even when he's grey. Of course, I just have to remember that while I enjoyed myself last night, the first-timers were simply blown away.

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Seriously, am I in Third Grade?

I just wanted to use this space to gloat over my friend Mike after destroying his Capitol Hill Cripples this week in Fantasy Football. Believe me, I'm quite aware as to how completely frat-boy-ish and juvenile this whole pretend sports craze is, but it's not a bad way to keep up with old college friends. That being said, I have set up strict guidelines for myself so as to restrict how this game will affect me as a normal, functioning, adult human being. The first rule is that I never discuss fantasy football in public (of course, I realize the hypocrisy in saying such a thing in this particular forum). Outside of this post, I generally keep quiet on the subject. There's nothing cool about it, so it's best not to bring it up. The second rule is that I do not allow wins and losses to dictate my mood. Final scores mean nothing to me - seriously. If I happen to win a couple hundred bucks at the end of the season, I view it as an added bonus to the 17 weeks of keeping in touch with my old DC buddies. The third, and final, rule is that I refuse to bring a print-out of my weekly matchup to the sports bar with me like a lot of other people. If I even bother to sit around a bar all afternoon on my Sunday, which is rare, I'm certainly not going to be a slave to that piece of paper showing me the position-by-position comparisons of my team versus my opponent. I'm just not that into it these days. Yet, somehow, I found enough time to create this very Euro-snobbish logo. It's lame. I know. I hate myself sometimes.

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MLS Saturdays

Don't get me wrong. I love college football on Saturdays. In fact, I barely left the couch last weekend with all those top-25 matchups. But, to be perfectly honest, my true excitement stems from MLS soccer. I know... it's not the greatest league in the world. But it's our league, and if there was ever a chance for soccer to make it in America, it will come through the success of Major League Soccer. After ten interesting years, the league has blossomed from something that hardly resembled professional soccer to something that now finds teams building brand new soccer specific stadiums. This is a sure sign that survival is a possibility. Like I said, it's not the best soccer in the world (see the English Premier League, Italy's Serie A, Spain's La Liga, or Germany's Bundesliga), but I'm a fan. Not having a hometown team from Arizona, I've somehow morphed into a Colorado Rapids fan as they were the first to represent the four corners region (Real Salt Lake entered the league this season). It should be noted, however, that I first really got into soccer watching DC United games when I was in college. While I have never actually played organized soccer, save for when I was a kid, I've found myself getting more and more involved with the sport. The deeper my understanding has become of the players and leagues around the world, the greater my appreciation has grown. I'm even trying to play a little bit - Saturday mornings at Piedmont Park. There, I'm definitely the worst player on the field, perhaps even pissing off a few of the hard-cores, but I enjoy it. It's great to get out there and play some footy, and hopefully get a little better at the sport I have grown to love. See Soccer? I Hardly Know Her in the Essays Etc. link. (Pictured here: Pablo Mastroeni of the Rapids and the US National Team... despite being born in Argentina, he calls Phoenix his hometown)

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Phil Lesh and Friends

It occurred to me that I simply wasn't spending enough money these days, what with my trip to Thailand, the Allman Brothers show, and outrageous gas prices. So, it was sort of bittersweet news to learn that Phil Lesh and Friends will be rocking The Fabulous Fox Theater in Atlanta on the 12th and 13th of December. You can't say no to the Dead, or at least something that resembles the Dead. Anyway, there goes another eighty bucks. But, check out the lineup: Chris Robinson, Jimmy Herring, John Molo, Mookie Siegel, and Barry Sless. OK, I can't actually vouch for the last three names... but Chris Robinson and Jimmy Herring will bring the house down. Plus, this is Phil Lesh we're talking about. When Phil comes to town there are three things you can count on. (1) Horrible singing on his behalf. (2) Special guests. (3) Long liberal rants that remind you how burned out this guy is. But that's why we love him. Special thanks to Jacqui for sharing the news and taking care of the whole mail-order bit. I'm becoming rather poor... but it's worth it.

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At the Car Wash!

Last night we decided to play trivia at Prince of Wales in midtown, across the street from Piedmont Park. One of our questions was: Who sings the song "Car Wash?" Of course, we had no clue because it's one of those songs that everybody knows by ear but hates so much that they never bother to learn who the artist is. Anyway, the answer is Rose Royce... the swinging cats seen in this photo. So next time you're at a bad party and somebody plays "Car Wash" you can turn to the person next to you and say, "I bet you don't know who sings this." And they'll say, "No. I don't." And then you can say, "You stupid bastard... it's Rose Royce!" Then you will have proven your superior knowledge.

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The World is Really BIG!

So, one day you're sitting around thinking, "Gee, I've been pretty fortunate. I've done some traveling. I've seen a few things. I'm going to Thailand in three weeks." Then you venture onto world66.com and create a map of the countries you have visited. That's when you realize that, maaaaaaaaaan, you ain't seen nuthin'!

There. Now I feel a little better.

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25 Days 'til Thailand... and the Blog Begins

So, I started a blog.

Something tells me I might as well just cut off my genitals because, having joined the nerd ranks, it's likely that I will have no further use for them. But, alas, here it is... and with only 25 days to go until I fly off to Thailand with a planeload of fellow backpackers and an assortment of horney, middle-aged men seeking cheap fornication. God bless 'em.

As my October 8th departure date nears, I'll be focusing on loading up my little blog with travel stories, tips, photos, and other general ramblings from my OCD-charged brain. Of course, during and beyond my three-week Thailand travels, I will continue to add new posts while I sit in complete denial, thinking that anybody is actually reading this stupid thing. So, feel free to comment.

It's lame. I know.

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(The Green House)

(The Yellow House)

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