Nothing scary about tonight

Big night tonight. The Motet will be showcasing their musical costume this evening: The Talking Heads. Looking forward to it. The crew has agreed to all wear capes. I chose to go as "Super Fan"...mainly because Im not so creative at this Halloween costume thing AND to cheap to buy anything necessary to create said costume. So Im throwing on a scarlet colored cape and wearing some Buckeyes paraphernalia and there you have it: Super Fan.

Pre-party at the house before the show...pizza, beer, whiskey...a fine way to start a Friday evening before checking out would should be some quality music.

Surprise Encounter

Not what I expected to see today as I left the office. We had 100,000 people rally on Sunday in Civic Center Park to hear Obama speak...I of course slept in because I was out drinking until about 4am thanks to a rippin Oakhurst performance on Saturday night that inspired me to sip on the whiskey.

But I digress...I didnt even know McCain was in the Denver area. And I would have thought McCain had given up on those within Denver city limits. Its naturally Democratic to begin with. And if Sunday's turnout to Obama's rally is a prelude to next Tuesday's election, he's better off focusing his efforts elsewhere.

And speaking of that Obama rally, I thought this was a nice comment...found on Rocky Mountain News' website:

amaikovich writes:

I went to the rally yesterday and all I can say is, "Oh, my!"

I saw 100,000+ people of all races, religions, old, young, rich, poor, kids playing in trees, men and women in wheelchairs...

Governor Palin likes to talk about her "pro-Americans." I saw America yesterday and it was beautiful.

And we're back...

The Force, ironically, was forced to take a shot break this week. Not that there has been anyone waiting with baited breath for the next post...

Anywho, Project Light Rail has been extended into next week due to my desire to have a larger sample size. Nobody seemed to be working this past week. Seats everywhere. Economy must be worse than I thought.

That said, the wife and I met up with our closest friends last night at Red Room on Colfax. What was originally scheduled as a casual gathering for no good reason turned into a celebration of my wife's new found unemployment as of Friday. Follwed by a $100 speeding ticket for good measure. Poor girl. But we showed her what's most important in life last night...good and loving friends supporting each other in a time of need. The plethora of wine, beer, and Jameson also contributed.

This evening promises to be a continuation of the last. Ohio State tackles Penn State (GO BUCKS!). And our friends in Oakhurst are playing the Walnut Room in Denver to record a live album I'm told. They did us the pleasure of playing our wedding Oct 4 so we'll thank them by gettin a little rowdy and making sure the crowd can be heard on the recording. Fun band...I recommend checking them out if you enjoy bluegrass...or guerilla grass as they like to call it.

BASS...How low can you go?

During my much anticipated Light Rail observation this morning, I settled into place with my personal life support system...aka "my ipod". One of the three greatest inventions of all time....just behind freshly baked Italian Bread and Ohio State Football.

So I'm listening to Rob Derhak of moe throwin' down some serious funk during one of my favorite tunes, Brent Black. And I'm reminded that the bass is by far my favorite instrument to focus on when listening to any and all music. Something about the funk, the groove, the ability to really set the foundation of any greatness you're listening to. Bottom line, the bass gets me moving more than any other instrument out there.

When did my love of the bass begin? 1991, watching this guy play this song during MTV's spring break...back when they actually showed good music. For an extra treat, check out the jam in the 4:00-6:00 mark. An instrumental called The Awakening:




Then I discovered this greatness combining the bass in my favorite genre at the time (metal) and where bass rules the music (hip-hop):

Project Light Rail

I'm a people watcher by nature. They fascinate me. My commute on Denver's Light Rail system provides me with golden observation opportunities 40 minutes per day, 5 days a week.

Quick backstory...growing up, I was always taught to be a gentleman. Hold the doors for people, say please and thank you, generally respect your fellow man. Its something I try to put into practice on a daily basis.

Back to my commute...I never get a seat. I'm too late on the route to get one during rush hour, which is fine. I'm young, the knees are holding up well, I can stand for 20 minutes on my way downtown. Since Im forced to stand near the train doors, I noticed this morning at one of the stops that a few women get on the train and, with hope in their eyes, scan the aisle for some highly valued real estate to plant their rear ends on. Its a pretty standard entrance by my many female riders.

I also see a few seated men and their eyes follow these women as they enter the train. As soon as the women would look in their direction, the men's eyes drop to the floor...as if to suggest to these women that their presence had not yet been detected or isnt of any importance at all. Sneaky. No eye contact, no expectation to give your seat up. Well played, "gentlemen".

Had my grandmother seen me behave that way, I would have been yanked out of my seat, given a slap on the wrist, and banned from that night's Klondike Bar dessert party.

So in the interest of conducting my own scientific social experiment, I will spend this week documenting how many men give up their seats to the ladies. So far 0 for 2. Is chivalry dead in Denver? Will a little bit of joy be brought to ladies in need of a seat this week? Stay tuned...

The Journey Continues

After 31 years of observing and digesting the sights that eyes have seen, the sounds that ears have heard, the odors the nose has detected, and the textures that fingers have touched, one realizes the immense amount of raw data that must be stored in order to preserve those experiences. And what better place than a tiny little corner in the land of bits and gigs and ram and hertz. Mega that is.

So why would those experiences need preserving? Well, the brain does funny things to memories over time. Contorting and distorting...even forgetting...perhaps in an attempt to more efficiently file memory folders in that proverbial file cabinet in our heads. Ironically limited by fixed space...not unlike the very space now being used to supplement it.

But thats just the tangible explanation. There is much to be learned and understood from even the most seemingly insignificant events in life. But the brain tends to file those in places never found again. I often wonder what meaning, if any, can be found by piecing random experiences together. Did going to a concert one June evening this past summer have anything to do with the time spent in the Burger King drive thru last weekend? Is there a common denominator or is it all chaotic?

But most importantly, what can be learned that will help in the pursuit of peace, love, and joy?

Words of wisdom suggest to not become obsessed with my desires. So I guess I'll find out in due time...