Some things of note

Before I start with a big post sometime tomorrow, I'll nip a few little things in the bud tonight.

-You can post comments now. Click the time links at the end of every post to see the comments for that post. (I.E. 10:46)

-I've tried several times to write a short story, but over my trip I got near to finishing one for the first time. And now that I'm back, I plan to do the deed. I began this short story when I was on the road with Gabe and his wife to see The Casket Lottery back in May, and I've nearly completed it with this trip. It's entitled Blood on the Golden Shores and once it's done I'll let you read it.

-Josh and his bro's blog is delicious. I loves me some "Try Avoidance".

-Star Wars, Episode III: The Revenge of the Sith. And yes, I'm a nerd.

-Brock

Interstellar blast

...I'm back to save the universe. As you've probably guessed, I couldn't access the net while I was over in California. I'm sorry about that. But I'm back now, and I promise to tell you plenty about the trip in the coming days. Good post Gabe! He hit the nail on the head; Braid was...surreal.

Surrealism

“Surreal.” It was uttered repeatedly over the weekend. How else would you describe seeing a favorite band for the first time, five years after their demise?

My wife, Rebekah, and I ventured on a six hour trip to California to see the temporarily reunited Braid. Brock and Alex accompanied us. We saw them perform at the Chain Reaction in Anaheim on Friday night, and at the El Rey (awesome place, converted from an old theater) in Los Angeles on Saturday night. Surreal.

The crew took the stage. Bob, Chris, Todd and Damon. The anticipation, culminated over a couple of months, plus the ocean salty air, created a dreamy atmosphere. Was it a dream? So real.

The four of us were quite familiar with Bob, Todd and Damon, having seen them several times as Hey Mercedes. But Chris Broach adds quite a dynamic with his playing and pained yells. If I had seen them before, I think I would’ve said “dang, it’s like they never broke up.” But I guess they were still working out some rough edges at the beginning of the tour. Therefore, I was happy to see them near the end of it.

Braid had become my life’s theme around late ’97. I had the chance to see them on two occasions. Couldn’t make either. They broke up. I was devastated. So, I’ve tried to make it up by seeing them three times on their reunion tour. I rocked out with my fellow Braid devotees, yelling every lyric at the top of my lungs at all three shows. My vocal cords took a beating too. All in good fun. Bob Nanna joked at the Phoenix show after having Jimmy Eat World open – “it’s good to support the local, struggling bands.”

They played all shows with equal intensity. I can’t begin to describe it. I don’t have the words. Perhaps Brock will do it.

Thank you, Braid.

Cali Post?

Monday I got back from a three day weekend in California. Braid was the reason. And it was good. More on that later.

Brock's family came through Sunday to begin their week long stint in the area. So, Brock's still over there. His hotel should have Internet access. Will we see a post from Brock in Cali? Post it up, Brock!