Happy Birthday Lesli!!!

My sister, the grrl-rocker goddessToday is my sister’s birthday!!!

Seems like only yesterday my claim to fame was the title “BIG brother”. That was a serious gig when Lesli & I were growing up. I adored my little sister (still do) and I was her idol for those tentative kindergarten years. Of course things change, people grow, little sisters soon become independent and big brothers learn to accept change or we die a painful death from anxiety & stress (just kidding).

Ambitious doesn’t even begin to describe Lesli. If I set the standard she surpassed it long ago. She’s grown into a fiery young woman who manages to capture unique experiences first and set the trend for everyone else. The definitive musical prodigy, she is well versed in piano, guitar, bass & vocals.

In fact, she was four years old when she started buggin’ my piano teacher for lessons every Saturday. Lesli would sit through the entire lesson, interrupting, asking questions, tellin’ my teacher that she would be a MUCH better student.

Finally, as a deterrent Ms. Hunt suggested that if Lesli wait until she was older and could read, then maybe she’d talk to our father about piano lessons. Before my lesson was through, little sister found the biggest book we had in the house and started reading out of it. (Heh, a picture with Lesli and that GINORMOUS bible would be priceless)

Either way, Ms. Hunt could no longer refuse lessons and our father was quick to encourage her. Through the years Lesli’s ambition & discipline have pushed her to the limit as not only has she mastered her musical talents, but did I mention my genius of a sister graduated highschool at 15?!?!?!!!

Lesli continued on to complete a dual major in college then followed her dream to Seattle where she’s lived for several years now. When she’s not rocking the local venues with her band Ms. Led, she’s crackin’ the books at UW’s law school.

Whether it’s precise classical instrumentals or blitzkrieg punk vocals, Lesli’s image is not confined by her musical talents. You might say I’m her biggest fan. . .

Checkout Lesli’s website (where her stage name is “Roxy”) and wish her happy birthday for me!

Lasik Doesn’t Work For Everybody

I wouldn’t recommend Lasik to anybodyClear Channel radio stations sure have cornered the market on repetitive mantra advertising. It doesn’t matter if I listen to a rock, alternative, or pop stations they all have their list of products that each & every DJ swears by a minimum of three times an hour. Remember the now defunct Body Solutions which touted weight loss simply by drinking a capful of aloe vera before bedtime? Oh it might have worked IF you made sure that you didn’t eat anything several hours before bedtime either. I was surprised anyone was naive enough to buy the product, but DJs swore by it up until the moment advertising dollars stopped rolling in.

Now the marketing machine has gotten behind Lasik surgery. I’m not bothered much by celebrity endorsements; what really ticks me off are the local radio endorsements:

“I went to Dr. So&So and he was great. The procedure was totally painless, I had no complications and I had 20/20 vision that same evening. I know some people are worried about the risks associated with Lasik, but it’s really a common procedure now. My life is soooooooo much better after Lasik.”

BULLSHIT.

Let’s get one thing straight, LASIK SURGERY IS NOT ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY FOR A HAPPY WELL-ADJUSTED LIFE. Do yourself a favor if you’re thinking about taking the plunge go read the horror stories at Lasik Disaster & Surgical Eyes. Some might argue there’s only a small percentage of folks that have experienced complications, well consider me part of the minority. Take a look at that eye chart. The right side is how I view the world EVERYDAY. Here are more examples of how Lasik has “improved” my vision.

Read More

Enjoy Your Weekend!

Photo by Teflon Candy Productions, taken for the 2Bones Lake Shoot“Whenever I leave a country bar and I see a truck that says 4×4 on the side, I always paint in = XVI

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Last week I got cut off on the highway driving to school. I noticed a bumper sticker on the back of the car which read “WWJD”. Now I’ve only seen merchandise like that here in Texas. Apparently WWJD stands for “What Would Jesus Do?”

I’m thinkin’ Jesus wouldn’t be driving like an @ssh#le cuttin’ people off in his Lexus.

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Don’t you hate it when you flip somebody off and then you get stuck next to them at the stoplight? (care of comedian Dean Lewis)

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I’ve been reading the ex-girlfriend stories over at The Ward this week and I was surprised when Ryan said he dated two girls back-to-back that had the same name. I mean what are the odds that you’d go out with two people who answered to Crazy Ass Bitch?

They even spelled it the same way.

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So yesterday my buddy Knoll got pulled over doing 85mph in a 55 zone. As it was the end of the trooper’s shift he told my pal that if he could come up with a decent excuse for speeding the trooper would let him off with a warning.

Knoll said “Last weekend my girlfriend ran off with a policeman and I thought you were that guy trying to give her back.”

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All jokes shamelessly stolen from comedians Chuck Cason & Dean Lewis.

Enjoy the weekend everyone!

2Bones Lake Shoot | MadPony Karma | Cool Ladies x3

Vote For My Sister!!!

My sister Lesli KICKS ASS DAMMIT!!!This goes out to all the folks hangin’ in Washington state. If you frequent the 206 area you need to get out and see my sister Lesli blastin’ vocals & guitar for the grrl rocker group Ms. Led. The group was recently nominated as one of the best punk/hardcore bands in Seattle. Help me help my sister get studio time and equipment for her band by voting for them online at the Seattle Weekly website.

Whether your off somewhere in the 509 or next door in the 425 & 253, I would appreciate any votes you can throw.

UPDATE JULY 29 – Thanks again to Roland who pointed out some of the file links were down. I have fixed that as of 6:02AM CST.

bang your head…

Metal heads never dieI’ve got a three day weekend then just two exams and one presentation next week to finish the semester. So far the grades are holding steady. I got 100 on Tuesday’s math exam (before you Ooh & Ah it was only Algebra) so unless I come down with a case of blind rage and bludgeon someone in class I think I’ll have another 4.0 this term.

Yesterday Acidman pointed out this story about an Australian saxophonist who had his fingers cut off. There’s something under the surface on that one, but I empathize with the guy’s situation. I mean I almost cut my own fingers off once. Actually, I was only stupid enough to severe the tendons so playing Beethoven was no longer an aspiration. Of course, had I been that dedicated to my music to begin with I’m sure I would have found my place in it somewhere.

But enough navel gazing. I was inspired by the Hosemonster’s entry to rattle off about my fascination with guitars. Maybe I’ll pick up a new hobby before I get too old. Metal gods will never die.

GUITAR
Nothing but a stick with six strings
Resting against the wall… and yet,
Look closely to see
A sleek contoured body
Splashed in Iroc blue,
You strap her on and feel the cool wood in your hands.
As you place the amplifier cord in the ignition
There’s a crackling spark and you feel the power.
You here the low hum of the engines
Through the speakers.
You start our slow, strumming simple eighth note rhythms,
You want to keep control.
Your heart beats faster,
Your adrenaline kicks in and you pick up speed,
You finger dance on the fretboard
Spattering like grease in a frying pan
As you obtain speeds up to Mach 5.
A shift of the whammy bar
And notes jump seconds, fifths and octaves.
Complete control, you and the guitar are one,
You begin your last lap
Only to come abruptly to a halt….
You’ve broke a string….
The dust clears and you’re left standing,
Wanting to take one more lap,
Wishing to play one more note,
Listening to the hum of the engines
Through the speakers.