Birthday Names

I stay away from off-color stuff and moronic humor on this site. There are too many people who are too good at it around here as it is.

But ... I could not resist this ....

Remind me to never submit anybody's name to a radio or TV station for a happy birthday shout out ....

Change The Date

April Fool's has officially been changed to April 3 this year so it can fall on a Friday.

Thank you.

Now We Are Legit (Edit)

There's a first time for everything, and every gig is an adventure ....

So Friday night Mark, Pat and I played for Warren Riley's birthday at the Paradise. We started at 7:30 and the crowd was small but into the music and we had a blast.

More and more people started showing up. This is a small bar to begin with, and we crammed all the stuff in the front, then locked the front door. 

Thanks to Keith Franx and Warren for singing with us ... spirited renditions of Roadhouse Blues!

So we are rocking away at about 10:45, and as we are nearing the end of our last set, a Quincy Police Department officer walks in. He very politely tells us they've had two complaints of loud noise, and he asks us to turn it down.

I could tell it was probably the last thing he wanted to be doing, but he was just doing his job, no complaints here.

This bar is in a residential area and they have to be good neighbors. We played a few more songs and that was that.

"Usually when the cops come I just turn it up," Pat said.

The Funions usually don't play in bars, and we've never been officially told to turn it down, though we are always told we are too loud.

That aside (and we won't even talk about near-brawl in the parking lot), I thought we played pretty well. You really have to pay attention when playing at a 3-piece band. No beer and running around without caring in this lineup .... it was still a blast, and I hope Warren had a happy birthday.

No Golf On The Horizon

Supposed to go to Norwoods today with some other Whiggers who are off today.

Ooops.

Hate it when that big green blob on the weatherchannel.com map gets closer and closer and closer ....

At least we didn't get out there and then get hammered with rain.

Instead I went out and bought the new U2 CD, No Line On The Horizon.

My initial impression after listening to every song is that when you get to be a 40-something rock star, you can write stream of consciousness songs and everybody will still buy your new CD.

Just kidding. Sort of. U2 is so freaking pretentious, but they don't hide it. Part of the charm, I suppose.

The other thing about these songs is that U2 really should just have Eno and Lanois join the band and play weird instruments on tour, then mute them in the mix.

After a first listen, I like Magnificent, Moment of Surrender and Breathe.

The others will grow on me, like most of U2's CDS.

Buying Candy Bars

So I just got a knock on the door and it's the little girl from down the street, selling candy bars for Berrian School.

Berrian has a special place in my heart, and how the heck can you say no when those big brown eyes peer up at you and she points out the five different kinds?

Plus I'm a chocoholic.

Anything for Mrs. Reis, Mrs. Frank and the awesome people at Berrian. 

Hearing Yourself

Went to The Dock last night to hear Slick Woody, one of Quincy's better classic rock bands.

The singer, Todd Hessling, showed off some new inner ear monitors and said they were awesome. Hearing yourself on stage when you play is a huge issue for bands and to be honest, there have been very few nights playing with The Funions where I've been able to clearly hear what we sound like from our view.

Most bands rely on a PA with monitors, speakers in the front pointing toward the band. With inner ear monitors, each band member can adjust the mix to hear what they want. Kevin Vandament of The Classics swears by them and if you watch any big time band, look carefully at their ears, they look like hearing aids. Actually, that's what they are!

Slick Woody had some sound issues. It resulted in them naming a new song, "I Can't Hear &^%$#," which I thought was pretty good! They just bought the inner ear monitors and were working out the bugs.

The mark of a good band, however, is to overcome sound issues and still play well, and that's exactly what the guys did Saturday.

I'm hoping to get The Funions booked into The Dock this summer, their outdoor stage is one of the better venues in Quincy.

Upcoming Shows

Couple of updates for shows ....

Mark, Pat and I are playing a week from tonight at Paradise Bar, 10th and Hampshire, for Warren Riley's birthday.

April 17 is Rock Against Rape and features Cheeks McGee, Blue Healers and Fielder at Backwaters. This will be one of the biggest and best shows of the spring.

Two days later is the Southside Boat club jam. We are kicking things off with a half hour set at noon sharp.

More shows planned for this summer, stay tuned!

Green, as in grass

Wore a bit of the green on St. Patrick's Day - Westview Golf Course style.

Got to play with Lynn and Dennis Semerad. A crowded golf course isn't so bad when it's a perfect March day.

Because of my back I've had to alter my swing. I'm trying not to take such a vicious cut at the ball.

Wouldn't you know it - the smoother you swing, the better the results. Who'da thunk it?

Sore? Yes. Ready to do it again? Absolutely ....

HEY! TAKE ME OUT!

So my golf clubs have been tucked away since last August. Just thinking about swinging a club made me wince after a bout with Unable To Stand Upness. 

It will be 70 today. I am not working. The clubs are talking to me ....

View From The Ice

Went to the Wings-Blues game Saturday and was in awe most of the time.

Sitting five rows behind the bench of YOUR defending Stanley Cup champions will do it to you.

Shey Fey got the tickets. Holy crap! I've been to a lot of hockey games but never this close. TV just can't do justice to the game .... the speed, skill, precision, how big the players are, how they absolutely smack into each other.

It's a lot fun seeing the jawing and behind the play stuff.

Unfortunately St. Louis had it's big St. Patrick's parade right in front of Scott Trade Center, so getting to Union Station was impossible. There's a reason you leave early for St. Louis events.

Eventually we ended up near 18th Street and parked in the Glas Haus lot, then walked the half mile to the arena. Beautiful day, nice walk, plenty of time to see the warmups, etc.

No live hockey experience is complete without DSG. You know, Drunk Stupid Guys. They are usually about 25 years old, always have a $9 beer in their hands, and they bellow the whole game. They never really swear or completely go over the line, but they make fun of the Red Wings fans, goading them with stupid comments. Then they get even more mad when all you do it point to the scoreboard or just smile and ignore them. Finally, at the end of the game, the usher came up and told them to shut up.

Part of the deal, I guess. Bet it will take a bottle of Asprin to make those morons feel better this morning.

Anyway, great game (for Wings fans), nice walk back, nice German dinner, no traffic on the way home.

If you ever get a chance to see an NHL game from a good seat, don't pass it up!

Unwigged ....

This Is Spinal Tap is the best movie every made. Everything else is tied for last.

So .... glad to see the boys are still out and about. Just with they'd come to St. Louis, or at least closer than Chicago.

The interview after the performance is priceless.

Playing anywhere

So tonight I am covering a meeting for work. After the meeting there is a "debriefing" just down the street.

If you think I find this stuff out sitting at a desk, you are thinking wrong.

Anyway, I'm sitting there getting the scoop when I notice Dave Scharnhorst and some of his Irish RagTag band crew come in. Seems they just got done with a gig and were have a post-show nip of the Irish spirits.

The next thing I know, they break out their instruments and it's a full-blown Celtic jam session.

Wouldn't you know it - there was a story and more about them today, click here for more.

These guys (and gals) really are guerilla musicians - they will play anywhere, anytime, anyplace!

Start-ups

Something has to fill the void.

Dinner Parties

The thing about being hired to play at a dinner and event is that you are at the whim of the organizer.

That's the way it should be, and no complaints here.

The Funions were honored to play at the Children's Action Network dinner last night. Thanks to Erin and Clairice for taking care of us. Also a big thank you to Mark Aleman from Tony's Too at the new Holiday Inn. If there's a harder working guy in the restaurant bidness, let me know.

This is the CAN's major fundraiser, and we could tell it was going to be a while before we got up to play. The auction took a long time, past 10 p.m. So Pat, who is all about playing anytime, anyplace and anywhere, grabbed my guitar, sent Rockabye out to get his acoustic, told Jack to grab the sax, and we set up in the lobby and played acoustic.

After a short set on the stage, it was nearly 11 p.m. so we called it quits. Mark Aleman said we could set up in the bar and keep playing, but there were a bunch of happy party-goers in the corner who asked up to play, so we obliged, as the photo shows.

Music is so much fun, plugged in or out, on stage or off, at a party or in the backyard.

Also, we were auctioned off and The Funions will be bringing the World Parking Tour 2009 to Jeff Spear's place of choice in the very near future. 

All good ... except losing that hour!

It feels better when ....

— The work week is done.

— You clean the house on a Saturday morning. I had no idea we could open those windows ...

— You set up for a show the night before. Tonight's CAC dinner promises to be .... interesting!

— You get an important furnace question answered. Click here.

— You get ready to take the Calftown Border Collie of Doom for a long walk to Greenmount Cemetery.

— You realize your most important function in the afternoon is to watch golf and nap, and not necessarily in that order.

T Shirts

The Funions now have T-Shirts!

Ted's Shirt Shack did a bang up job for us. They are $10 and available at all Funions shows, Woodland Cemetery on warm spring afternoons, Calftown in general and wherever fine jewelry is sold.

Beautiful Day last night in New York, by the way ....

Live

Quite possibly the best Letterman Top 10 List yet ... click here.

The problem with Youtube is that you hear these songs live before you hear them on a CD, and the live versions are often superior. 

Magnificent song here ... and last night's debut of another new song here.

All Week

U2 plays all week on David Letterman. Too bad I'm too old to stay up that late. Plus I might accidently have to watch the end of the local news.

This song is really starting to grow on me. 

New album is out today.

Still Here

Sorry about the lack of updates. That's one of the things I harp on about other blogs, and too many in Quincy aren't kept up. Let's just say work has been challenging and life itself keeps happening, www.whig.com today for more and you'll know what I mean.

Getting ready for the CAC dinner Saturday - Elvis will be in the house at the new Holiday Inn, a venue we have yet to play in.

One of these days I'll compile a list of the all the places The Funions have played. Unless I sit down and really think about it, I'm not sure just how many there are!

Open Paradise

Pat and I went down to the Paradise Tuesday night for Warren Riley's open mic night. It's a lot of fun and it's good to play in front of people ... there were a ton out and about last night.

Hope we can come back!

JT's Town

I've been remiss for not putting John Tripp's most excellent blog on the links.

He writes every Monday about life in Quincy, or life in general, and it's very well done.

Missing On Purpose

Missing on purpose ... click here.

Thanks to all who showed up last night for our U2Charist. More events in a similar vein are planned.

Saturday night was crazy at the South Side Boat Club. They've done a great job rebuilding the bar, and The Cheeseburgers played very well. 

Footwear and Italian Movies

Some provocative footwear HERE .... The future needs a big kiss!

Saw some of the QHS boys game last night on Senior Night and gotta hand it to Goo for pronouncing 3 billion names without a hitch.

Nice tribute to Mr. Ellerman, as well.

Then went home and watched "Life Is Beautiful," about a Jewish father, his wife and young son during World War II. The movie is in Italian and uses subtitles, which takes some getting used to.

But it sort of grabs you about a third of the way through, and the end will wrench your heart and make you laugh.

That's two good ones in a row, "Once" and "Life Is Beautiful."

U2Charist, more music

Please join us Sunday, 7 p.m., Trinity United Church of Christ, 24th and Cherry Lane in Quincy, for our U2Charist worship service.

I've put together an awesome band - Craig Sparks on drums, Devin White on bass, Megan Guthrie on keyboards, Jamie Davis on vocals, Rev. Wally Carlson on guitar, the incredible Burt Shackelton on sax and me staying out of the way. Mostly U2 songs, an original or two, maybe a few surprises.

It's for the Unmet Needs Committee in Quincy and to promote U2's One Campaign for African poverty and debt relief.

This will not be a traditional church service. There is no offering, but there will be opportunity to give if you want. There will be communion. There will be no sermon. And you will hear from someone who has lived the life of poverty and was helped to overcome it.

If you have a fear of church, this is all the more reason for you to come. Yes, this is a praise and worship service, and yes, the message is powerful. It's up to you what you get out of it, but there's no obligation.

Just come out and rock with us!

Jumping Ship

Hmmmmmmm...... This bidness changes all the time.

Tap Is Back!

I've always had a healthy respect and bitterness for Spinal Tap, because The Funions were Spinal Tap before Spinal Tap was Spinal Tap.

So it did my heart good to read Spinal Tap is coming back ..... HOLY CRAP.

Click here for Nigel's hysterical Stonehenge theories.

Watch "Once" Twice

Watched two moves last night, one among the best I've ever seen and the other among the worst.

"Once" is about a struggling and broken-hearted Irish street musician (Glen Hansard of The Frames) who meets fellow musician Marketa Irglova. Fantastic songs, realistic portrayals of the song-writing and music experience, and maybe the best ending to a movie you will ever see.

The song "Falling Slowly" won an Academy Award two years ago. 

Then came "Righteous Kill" with Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro. Terrible, just a wretched and awful film. Do not waste your time renting this movie. Both time-honored and decorated actors Pacino and DeNiro go through the motions with this lame-plotted, profane-laced and feeble attempt to be cool flick. 

I only made it through about an hour. I couldn't care less how it ends. Rare is the movie that both bores and annoys you. This is one of them.

Rent "Once." And watch it at least twice.

You Got The Blues

So a certain somebody, let's just say this person lives in Calftown, got her tax rebate early and decided to invest in a pair of Blues-Red Wings tickets for the March 14 game in St. Louis. 

Not just any tickets .... six rows behind the Detroit bench!

I've been watching the Blues games. I'm glad I'm not a fan. If I were, I'd probably want to shoot myself, but they are a young team with some promising players.

Like Blues fans haven't been hearing that for the past decade ....

Horrible loss in Nashville the other night, inexcusable to get scored on with three seconds left.

Great win against Chicago Friday night. A few more like that and there might actually be a glimmer of playoff hope.

So ... I wish the Blues well and want them to win. Except for March 14, of course.

One Last Time

Last home game tonight for the 6-1 senior. Bittersweet, for sure.

And hard to believe. Wasn't she just a freshman running around out there?

Excellent Funions practice last night, despite Pat recovering from a bout with death. Jack is back blowing his horn after major dental surgery, we are learning a bunch of great songs for the March 7 CAC dinner at the old Holiday Inn.

Also had a great time at Mike Terry's JWCC class today. Good group of kids, good questions about writing and the newspaper bidness.

Jack and I are playing at tomorrow night's Evening Under The Stars at First Union. We'll miss Alan but we'll soldier on ...

More shows

Just a little bit hectic right now ... lots of music stuff coming up.

The Funions will be playing at the Blues Society's Can Jam May 3 with The Cheeseburgers and Raised on Radio, two of Quincy's best bands. 

U2Charist preparations continue for the Feb. 22 service at Trinity United Church of Christ, 24th and Cherry Lane. Unmet Needs and U2's One campaign are the focus, along with great songs and a very different worship experience.

Live Love Laugh, as a friend likes to say ....

Sun

I am sad about the ice leaving us for another season.

But ... the sun feels good today. Gonna dust off the grill tonight. 

This was a really tough week, so it will be nice Saturday to have Senior Day for the QHS girls, 2 p.m. at home (QHS Gym, high school) vs. Jacksonville Routt.

Sounds of Lincoln

Quite an honor for the 6-1 senior .....

No Time To Breathe

As a rule, I don't discuss work bidness on this blog.

But late last week I told somebody things have kind of been slow.

I might as well just taunted the work gods, because this has been as busy a week as I can remember.

Proof? Click here and here. And that's just today.

You just never know when mayhem will hit ....

Shows

Next two Funions shows ....

Saturday, March 7, Clarion (Old Holiday Inn in Quincy), Children's Action Network dinner.

Friday, April 17, Backwaters, Quincy, Rock Against Rape (Benefit for Quanada). Features The Funions, Fielder, others TBA.

Beat Daddies

Went to The Club last night at 1oth and Chestnut to hear The Beat Daddies from Evansville, Ind.

Wow ....

Great band, great songs (originals and covers), great company, fun night! Click here for more band info, hopefully they'll be back this summer for our Bluesfest.

Off to Peoria today to see the 6-1 senior play in the All State Honors band concert, first chair oboe!

Another thaw

The Grawe boys came over to The Pond this week for a huge inter-school pond hockey battle with Team Stegeman.

Team Stegeman let Old Guy play with them. Old Guy is very impressed with the number of good skaters and it was an awesome time. Both sides had 12 players so we did line shifts every few minutes.

I believe Team Stegeman won. I believe they let Team Grawe score a few goals here and there just to make them feel better. 

The ice was chippy yesterday. This weekend's thaw might actually help get the crud off the ice and flatten out the surface. Cold again early next week, might get in a game or two.

Then the thaw really hits toward the end of the week, and that will likely be the end of pond hockey this season.

Found out Boyers sharpens skates and they do a really good job.

Buh Bye Gov ....

Buh Bye, Rod.

I am ashamed to share the same name.

I am ashamed to live in the same state. I'm ashamed you were voted into office twice.

I am relieved you are gone.

I am sad the snake oil you've been trying to sell us can't be returned.

Buh Bye, Rod.

Two Places

We were fortunate in Quincy to dodge a pretty nasty storm yesterday. It careened just south of us and left a trail of ice, slush and debris.

My sister and dad live in Louisville, which got smacked hard by the storm. Judging from the photos, they'll be cleaning up for a while down there.

My brother, on the other hand, lives in Phoenix and is still pinching himself about the Cardinals. 

Dealing with 70 degree weather must be tough, too ....

Get On Your Boots

The first single from U2's "No Line On The Horizon" is out.

Give "Get On Your Boots" a listen here.

You can never tell what you will get with U2, though the last two CDs were more of the powerhouse U2 older fans remember. 

This song is basically "Vertigo" on steroids, strange but captivating the more you listen to it.

More info on the CD here.

Not So Trivial

Much fun at St. Peter's trivia night. Our team, led by Theresa Oakley, finished with a respectable top 20 showing. Missing Marianne Barnard hurt, as did missing the kids (illness). More fun afterwards with 1/3 of the Funions hooting and hollering ....

The ice has been magnificent at The Family Farm Pond and we had a great game today. 

Yes, they are twice as young, yes, I'm having trouble walking up the steps, yes, I wish it was 1983 again. Not really.

Looks like the cold weather will stick around so we'll have ice for a while. 

And ... the snow this morning sure beat the heck out of rain.

And .... to the little girl who blew threw the 10th and Adams intersection this morning, nearly careening into a parked car while skidding on the snow — TAKE YOU STUPID CELL PHONE OUT OF YOUR EAR before it gets stuck up in there and pay attention. It might save your life.

Wire ... Less (update)

A very gracious soul set me up with wireless Internet a while back and it's awesome. I can sit anywhere in the place unhooked and hooked up, a beautiful thing.

The other day something called "Angelove" popped up on my wireless network, booted me off and screwed everything up. Now I can't reconnect, despite expert efforts.

If you are Angelove and living in Calftown, thanks for nothing, and thanks for using a non-secure wireless network and wrecking my little parade.

UPDATE: We called Comcast, which said the router was fine. They switched us to Belkin, the router maker.

"Oh," said the Belkin tech person. "If you have an iBook, you have to type in a $ sign before your password when you log back in."

Geesh. Glad we called, our we'd be using the router for a hockey puck right now ....

Ready tonight for the Trivia Contest at St. Peter. Since half our team are Funions, expect a big after-party jam session somewhere ....

Warm Air = No Ice

So what if mid-50s makes everybody feel better .... all I know is that's the end of our Farm Pond Arena ice.

I think.

Back into the teens tomorrow, maybe it will still be around this weekend ....

Flu and missing history

So Monday I spent a miserable day dealing with the flu. Blechh, double blechh.

Got up this morning and felt like I'd been hit by a truck, but at least the thought of eating something didn't repulse me. Got to the office and by about 11 I was dragging, so I went home.

I turned on the presidential inauguration, hoping to catch history. President George H. Bush looked really old. Jimmy Carter looked great. All the other politicians looked like ... politicians.

Obama came out and there was a huge roar and it was quite a grand scene.

Then I fell asleep.

Then I woke up to hear Aretha Franklin absolutely warbling and screaming, and I turned the TV off.

Rats. Flu has a way of interfering with history, I guess.

Well, I assume Obama had lots of good lines and everybody was impressed. Now they are talking about a luncheon and china used by Lincoln and HOLY CRAP is Ted Kennedy still alive?

Hey Rocky .... MAROON!

Rocky .... The problem with reading Tookie's blog is that some people actually think his nonsensical dribble means something and is accurate.

Don't be one of the three.

These aren't sweats, they are maroon snow pants. MAROON. As in, the color of America's university, Central Michigan. As in, the former Montreal Maroons hockey team.

Might be wearing them shortly just down the street from your abode ....

Sunday Morning Quiet

Sometimes it's nice just to wake up, get some coffee, sift through the paper (or, like more and more people these days, browse online) and just take it easy.

More fun at The Farm yesterday. My mid-40s muscles are barking this morning. Hurts so good!

Watched "The Bucket List" last night. Morgan Freeman is amazing. I kept thinking about how autobiographical much of the material might have been from Jack Nicholson. 

So, you have a sleeping 17-year-old on a Sunday morning. What do you do?

1. Wake her up and make pancakes.

2. Threaten to ground her if she doesn't wake up, then realize all she'd do is sleep if she was grounded.

3. Try the old Calvinistic guilt trip thing about missing church.

4. Let her sleep.

Correct Answer: C'mon, too easy ....

Hectic Friday

It started with a noon skate at The Farm. Kevin Murphy of The Whig copy desk was introduced to pond hockey Quincy style and it was SO much fun zipping around the ice with Corey and crew.

Then it was back to work where Judge Mark Drummond didn't mince words when telling a Chicago drug dealer what he thought, click here.

Then it was off to The Elks for a Funions show. I thought we played pretty well, just something off with the energy, might have been the cold January night. The people that did stick around had a great time and I'm always grateful people will come out to hear us.

When we were done all I wanted to do was go home and crash, but Rock A Bye, Pat, Steph and Shey Fey were insistent we go to Port's Place to see Kevin Allen. Port's Place? Are you kidding?

There weren't. And it was a blast. And now I'm embarrassed to pick up a guitar after watching Kevin jam with his buddies. HOLY CRAP. 

Back on the ice today with any luck, gotta do it now because it's warming up!

Ice Again!

Went down to South Park's Curtis Creek today and the ice was perfect.

It was all good except for Lucy getting too close to the dam and falling in, but she couldn't have cared less chasing me around the ice. Mom finally took her home when the icicles started forming on her chest ....

Tomorrow I introduce Kevin Murphy to real pond hockey in Quincy!

Brrrrrrrr

Buh buh buh bundle up, baby ....

The weather is a big topic right now. What do you do to keep warm? 

In the immortal word of a cook I used to work with many years ago who gave me a tip about making nachos - "Layers, dude. Layers." You don't need a big heavy coat, just a few shirts, jackets and sweatshirts.

And if you don't have to go outside, DON'T. Pretty simple, Hoser.

Went to St. Charles this morning for work and drove into the sunrise. Even on a bleak January morning it was pretty cool. 

QHS girls gave it a good go last night in Keokuk. In a month the season and No. 44's career will be over, and it's just hard to believe.

Two more nights and it's Elks rock and roll time, we can't wait!

Well Deserved

A really good story about a really good guy, click here.

A local blogger who is different and interesting at times ....

Ice by Friday? It's possible!

Dreary January Mondays ....

.... Make me long for scenes like this.

We'll try to warm things up Friday night at the Elks, 7:30 p.m., members and guests. FOF (friends of Funions) welcome as well.

Also getting ready for the annual Music Trivia night coming up, Rock A. Bye has recruited quite the Funion-influenced team. My goal is to beat teams with Alan Lawless and Sam Middendorf.

Going to give guitar lessons in a few minutes .... nothing restores faith and sanity like music and young people!

Fieldon

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS MAN?

He is accused of allowing a Funion to jam with his band, Fielder, thus making the Funion a Fieldion.

Both are greasy, from what I've heard.

Let's quote the greatest philosopher of all time by saying HOLY CRAP and congratulating the QHS girls on a huge win in Galesburg last night. Some nice pics of No. 44, too!

The Funions practiced last night and learned a boatload of songs. Ain't No Sunshine in Q-town in January.

We also discussed summer World Parking Lot Tour plans, south and north sides of Mendon, how much gear we've had lost/stolen/misplaced/borrowed and never returned, watched Florida win the national championship and lined up the soldiers when we were done.

Looking forward to hanging out at the Aces tournament tomorrow and watching more NFL playoff games ....

Beach On The Brain

This post is dedicated to Mike Provine and beaches. He is right. This time of year really makes you think of warm sand.

The only way you survive the January bleakness is by pretending you are sitting on a beach with nothing but a beverage and the sun in your face.

Well ... you'd also have to deal with the waves crashing into the sound, stars so close they seem to be dropping on top of your head, no cell phone reception ..... glorious.

The good news? Six more months 'till vacation. The bad news? Six more months 'till vacation.

Gas Prices

We all knew this $1.60 a gallon gas was waaaayyyyy too good to be true.

Proof? Right here.

I just went to West Quincy and paid $1.58. At the local gas station in Q-town gas is $1.85. The difference, of course, is competition and state taxes.

Many times I go to West Quincy just to spite Illinois and its higher gas taxes. Sometimes I give in and buy gas here. But when it's 27 cents a gallon cheaper .... c'mon. You are dumb not to do it if you aren't that far from the bridges.

Now lawmakers say they may need to jack the federal tax on gas because Americans are driving fewer miles.

Let me get this straight — we, John Q. Public, are using less gas and being more responsible in tight economic times, presumably with less wear and tear on our roads, and the answer is to SMACK US IN THE FACE WITH MORE FREAKING TAXES?

Let's trade Washington D.C. to another country and just call it even.

Stuffed Animal Abuse

In some states, ripping the head off a stuffed animal is a Class 3 felony.

In Calftown, it's par for the course ....

Parties

The world's loudest band ever for the Sandwich Maker of Doom's Birthday Bash ....

So we figured out the more people drink, the better we sound.

And ...

- I hate "Sweet Home Alabama." But it works. We did draw the line with "Gimme Three Steps."

- Drums fall apart. Thankfully drummers still work.

- We'll work out a few kinks for the Jan. 16 show at The Elks.

- Gotta play a few more originals.

- These people know how to have fun!

Birthday Party

Looking forward to playing tonight at the Sandwich Maker of Doom's birthday party — the house is sure to be a rockin' ....

How about those QHS girls ...!

Watching Nick Saban run off the field last night looking like he swallowed sour milk was worth the price of admission. Take that, BCS. Take that, you arrogant Bama fans who dismissed Utah.

Plus it got me huge points in the Hart Family Bowl Challenge. I'm currently in first, with my brother's dog, Ella, in second. Ella made her picks by barking or growling when the team name was mentioned. She might be the dumbest dog in the world, but she knows her bowl games.

Back tomorrow with a report from the birthday bash ...

Also, Funions dates confirmed for Friday, Jan. 16 at the Elks (members and guests) and Saturday, March 7 for the Children's Action Network party at the old Holiday Inn, now called the Clarion.

New Year's Day

Lots of fun at the Elks Lodge last night. The Classics are awesome, a band that understands it's not about being loud, it's all about being heard.

New Year's Day has been quiet, lots of football and hanging out in the newly-dubbed "Mark's Sports Bar" in the Ridge. 

The hockey game today at Wrigley Field was the best. Whoever came up with this idea needs to be knighted .... you'll see it every year now.

Hope 2009 is good to you!

Sun and Bowls

I'm watching the Sun Bowl on CBS and it's a beautiful thing.

First of all, the sun is always out during game. Always. El Paso must be a great place to live.

Secondly, it's knocking some really lousy mid-day shows off CBS airwaves. Millions of disgruntled housewives will not be getting their Oprah fix today and the rest of us mere mortals rejoice.

Many years ago I used to rest up for a night of New Year's celebrating by taking a big nap and watching this bowl game (men can do both at the same time).

Gotta love the college bowl season ....

Be safe tonight!

Digital Photos

This Digital camera ROCKS! 

Easy to use, small, easy to download pics ....

Just gotta get used to bringing it along - you never know when you might want to take a picture!

Downtown Smoke

Sad day for downtown Quincy .... click here and here.

The building is still standing, but it might not be for long.

No More Ice

There goes the ice as we climb into the 50s.

Oh well. Fun while it lasted. Above are the boys at the Niemann farm earlier this week.

Thanks for the photo, Lexi!

Maybe it will get cold again next month.

Best Christmas

Don't know about you, but I had one of the best Christmas day ever!

Among the gifts - a new digital camera, tremendous T-shirts from Grannie Annie and the Who DVD Live at Kilburn (more on this in later blogs after I watch it a few times). 

But the best part was spending Christmas with friends and family. Had a great time with the Collins brood and skating at Eastate Drive Lake!

At the Mays family gathering (I am Anne's "sixth son") Bob Mays talked about his brother Dick, a World War II pilot who perished 65 years ago in the English Channel. We walk past his grave site in Woodland all the time and I always say a silent prayer for Bob.

Without Dick and the many brave men and women who currently serve in our Armed Forces, we wouldn't be here.

Thank you.

Peace to all on Christmas night.

Tis The Season . . .

— For pond hockey. In Quincy. It's true!

— For bowl games. Good one last night. To you know what with Fat Charlie and the Biting Irish tonight.

— To say sorry. That wasn't very Christmas spirit like, was it? Notre Dumb does that to me.

— To get gifts. I got a Larry The Cable Guy Christmas CD today. I will listen to it tonight while watching others wrap.

— To pause, even if it's just for a minute.

— To remember family.

— To try and not break your neck walking two blocks in Calftown.

— To try and remember your friend while you walk across an icy parking lot.

— To try something new. The Funions will be doing it very soon.

— To be glad you don't live in Michigan.

— For being grateful for good health and friends.

— To wish everybody a very Merry Christmas, and good wishes for 2009. Be safe!

Hooch

I was out earlier today and now it's starting to rain .... be careful out there!

One of my favorite blogs is written by WGEM's Josh Houchins. Every Monday he updates WGEM's Stew, which isn't enough.

In his latest blog he bemoans a terrible cover version by one of this favorite bands.

Josh has a point. There are a lot of really bad cover songs out there. You have to balance the fine line between remaining faithful to the idea of the original but putting your own spin on it.

One of my favorite CDs is a U2 cover compilation. About half of them miss. The other half rock.

Just heard a version of The Pretender's 2,000 Miles, a classic Christmas song, by a female artist I didn't recognize. It actually sounded really good.

Then I heard this version and almost threw up, which is sad because the band in question has some good songs.

So be it. It's their take, and it either works for you or it doesn't.

Rockin Cold Night

So we figured we'd do a show around Christmas just to get out and play . . . .

— Fielder is the best band in Quincy. Maybe the world. They just freaking rock. If you decided to stay home because it was too cold to venture out (and I don't blame you a bit) you missed perhaps one of their best shows ever.

— There were maybe 80 to 100 people at Turner Hall, about what we expected. By the end of the night there were about 25 left all standing in front of the stage going crazy. That's what a great band does, it delivers in front of a million people or 20 people. Logan and the boys played their hearts out as if it was the last night of a sold out tour.

— I know one young lass from Lake Orion, Mich., who is totally smitten with Fielder and is now their No. 1 fan. Funny how a lot of people say that after seeing them for the first time!

— The Funions played OK but we really missed Jack and Rock A. Bye. They make us unique among Quincy bands. The energy, however, was there.

— Been a long time since we've sung "Psycho With A Capital S" to Ginny and Co. ....

— Thanks to Chris and Mark at Turner Hall. Those guys deserve credit for keeping it a viable local music venue.

— Next up for The Funions is a birthday party at The Elks Jan. 3 and another show at the Elks Jan. 16. Got some stuff in the works for the spring World Parking Lot Tour, as well.

Too Night

Getting ready for our big show tonight at Turner Hall. We had practice last night and ran into our old drummer and guitar player, David Stegeman. He wound up pounding on Pat's kit and it was just like old times, a blast!

Hopefully the snow stays away tonight.

Jack and Rock A. Bye are unavailable so we may have a guest or two make an appearance. It will be a fun night!

Turner Hall, 936 Hampshire
7 p.m.
SevenD2
The Funions
Fielder
$3 person, $5 a couple

Ice Ice Baby

Why anybody would be out tonight is beyond me ....

It's actually starting to warm up a hair. Streetlights and ice make strange shapes and shadows.

Watched The Dark Knight on video tonight and it was bizarre. It's rare such a long movie can entertain. And it was dark.

Don't forget - Funions at Turner Hall Saturday. For a complete list of Christmas shows, click here.

Stay safe!

Snow Day

Never ceases to amaze me when we get a little bit of snow here. Front page stories, panic in the streets, stores selling out of shovels and salt, bare milk counters ....

Geesh. It's just snow! This is just a good day in June where I come from.

We'll have much more on this story as it develops.

Just Thinking ....

— Happiness is going to ref Little Devils games and coming home to find your place scrubbed from head to toe by Shey Fey and Brown Eyed Girl. Already battling a nasty cold, it got even better getting high off of Pine Sol fumes.

— Happiness is doing three games wondering if the back will hold up and feeling really good when it's done. That's cause Westy carried me. Bet his back is sore today.

— Unhappiness is waking up the next morning. That's just being RFO, I guess.

— Much as love Blogvine, this site gives him a run for his money. We'll have more on this battle of local blogging giants as things develop.

— ESPN's "The Greatest Game Ever Played" was fascinating. The best part was when current players sat with the guys who played in that game 50 years ago and watched it together. Even in the spit-em-out world of pro sports, athletes today have much to be thankful for.

— Once in a while I think about putting something up here about Funions rules for comments. Instead, UMR took care of it for me.

— If you listen to a soaring oboe being played in a church, don't close your eyes because you might think you are in another place.

— Are you going to get anything done today? Good. Neither am I ...

— Actually that's not true because I'm taking the 6-1 senior post player to the Good News of Christmas HQ this afternoon to wrap presents. Do something for somebody else. It's the best gift you can give.

The Greatest Game

Saturday night on ESPN, the NFL title game from 1958 between the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants will be shown.

This is considered THE game that got the NFL off and running into national prominence. ESPN has restored the video and even will show it in color.

Here's an awesome story about a key player who rarely gets mentioned when talking about the game.

Good Practice

The Funions had a really good practice tonight. We'll debut some new songs (for us) at the Dec. 20 show.

After practice much of the discussion was about why we play, the whole "pay for play" thing (sorry Illinois) and what songs to play, how much original stuff will go over, etc.

The bottom line is that we are still having a blast and this is the best bunch of guys yet to play in the band.

Really looking forward to seeing our friends in SevenD2 play with us ... rumor has it they have a one-time drummer helping them out.

We might have a minor lineup change or two as well .... we'll have more as this story develops.

Snow, College Football

Tough day to be from Illinois, don't you think?

Like I say about my job at The Whig - "You Can't Make It Up."

The older I get the more I don't like the cold weather. I wish it would just snow like crazy and we can get on with winter.

For all things college football, click here.

Some big shows coming up in the area over the holidays, we'll get you updated shortly and you can always check out Jessica's blog here for the latest.

Christmas Show Lineup

Saturday, Dec. 20
Turner Hall, 936 Hampshire,
Quincy IL
7 p.m.
Featuring:
SevenD2
St. Amy's
The Funions
Fielder
All ages, tickets $5 at the door, bar open for 21 & over

Christmas Show!

We've just booked Turner Hall for a big Christmas show.

Saturday, Dec. 20
7 p.m.
The Funions and others TBA.


By the way, Mike Provine continues to have the best blog in Quincy, but I'm thinking this one is getting to be a close second. More on this as it develops .... pfffffft.

No Blues Here

Had a blast at the Blues game Friday night.

We took I-70 into downtown since the other route is closed. No major traffic issues, got to Union Station around 5, had a leisurely dinner and stroll, did some people watching.

Walked two blocks to ScottTrade Center and caught the warmups, which always fascinate me. The teams come out and it's sort of organized chaos, a continuing skating circle with pucks flying all over the place.

The arena was about 1/4th full just before game time, then maybe 3/5ths full for the game. We sat behind the Calgary goal in section 124, really good seats.

Watching hockey on TV does not give the game justice. When you have a view of the whole ice surface you can see the various strategies for dumping the puck in or trying to get it out of the defensive zone. If you've ever been on skates you'll really appreciate what tremendous athletes hockey players are, and they look so smooth and effortless gliding across the ice.

St. Louis played Calgary and watching Calgary's great player Jarome Iginla was a treat. Calgary likes to fling the puck back and forth across the rink, something you really can't appreciate with television. St. Louis played pretty well but they don't seem to have the creative offensive players, and the Flames scored three straight goals and won in overtime.

Note to Provine: Dion Phaneuf was in the penalty box twice .... go ahead and insert your own jokes here.

The good thing about going to a game is the live atmosphere, but that's the bad part too. Some drunk college kids were sitting behind us and were just loud and profane enough to be annoying but not really out of control.

It took us about 15 minutes of battling traffic to hit I-70 and we were home by 1 a.m.

I won't pay big bucks to see a professional sporting event, but if I get free or cheap tickets, I won't hesitate to go back to another game.

Blues

Going to St. Louis tonight to see the Blues with comp tickets. It's been a while since I've been to a game at ScottTrade.

Apparently because of construction the easiest way is to take 70 downtown.

Full report to follow ...

Practice makes .... noise

Being in a band is like playing on a sports team - you have to practice to be any good.

Actually, that's not true. Fielder never practices. Never. They just get up there and jam and it sounds great. That's a rare gift.

Warren and Jason from SevenD2 tell me they never practice either, but they play every weekend, and nothing beats actually playing in front of people.

But The Funions can't get away with that. And fortunately the band likes to practice, which hasn't always been true with previous incarnations.

What I've found is that if you are prepared and have stuff to work on, practice is more fun and you get more out of it. With this particular group of guys, the challenge is to find songs that work for us and that feel right.

I've brought great songs to practice but when the band plays them, they just fall flat. Then I've taken half-baked ideas and they've flourished, for whatever reason.

We are working on getting ready for a big birthday party show at The Elks Jan. 3, so tonight we learned four songs and polished up a few others. Practice is hard work but it's fun, and that's the way it should be with a band.

Then Mark, Pat and I went to the Paradise Bar at 10th and Hampshire to hoot and holler at Warren's open mic night and it was a blast ... until we broke poor Warren's PA. I just left and Pat was crawling around back of the mixing board trying to figure out what went wrong.

Maybe it was our playing ....

What's Your Name?

Snow + ice + cold = slippery roads. BE CAREFUL!

An elderly gent was invited to an old friend's home for dinner one evening. He was impressed by the way his buddy preceded every request to his wife with endearing terms such as: Honey, My Love, Darling, Sweetheart, Pumpkin, etc. The couple had been married almost 70 years and, clearly, they were still very much in love.

While the wife was in the kitchen, the man leaned over to his host and said, "I think it's wonderful that, after all these years, you still call your wife those loving pet names."

The old man hung his head.

"I have to tell you the truth," he said. "Her name slipped my mind about 10 years ago and I'm scared to death to ask her what it is!"

Black Friday

To everybody who went out yesterday to shop on Black Friday .... ARE YOU FREAKING NUTS?

Very proud of the QHS girls this morning, who battled a very good Morton team into overtime. No more getting crushed by 30, and the future of Blue Devils girls basketball really looks good.

More ghost hunting tonight at a downtown location.

One of these days I'll get a Saturday to watch college football. What? The regular season is almost over?

It's OK, bowl season is coming up.

Random Thanksgiving thoughts

— Really enjoying the U2 box sets, especially the B-sides and various remixes. Some of the live songs on the October bonus disc are amazing .... as are the bizarre dance mixes off the War disc.

— Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Don't take for granted health, family and friendship.

— Speaking of friendship, UMR, we might have somebody in common here. Or maybe not.

— Being ignored is a terrible thing, n'est pas? Not being able to figure out why is even worse.

— Somebody asked why I took All The News That Fits off my links. Very simple - he (or she) doesn't blog enough. This person, a former employee of a major Quincy media outlet, has insightful and often searingly accurate criticism of local media. However, for every on target blog he (or she) does, there are a bunch of strange and seemingly pointless entries. This person doesn't live in Quincy, though still lives in the area, and has gone to great lengths to keep his (or her) identity secret. Good reason for that, I'm sure. The IP address out of the Macomb area is very interesting, however. I think I know who it is, but really, it doesn't matter and I won't spill the beans. Besides, it is his (or her) blog , and he (or she) can do whatever he (or she) wants.

— I am happy for Ball State, even though they got lucky against my Chippewas last week. It's a great story, from the depths of a mid-major conference to being unbeaten and possibly screwing up the BCS.

— Too many of you reading this are already preparing for Friday morning's cattle call, also known as Black Friday shopping. I had to write a story about this nine years ago and I am still in regular therapy to try and recover.

Drummer on the web

Craig Sparks, drummer for Trinity's praise band and U2.1, has a new Web site up here.

No practice this week for The Funions, as life itself with Thanksgiving gets in the way.

With Shey Fey's help (well actually she's doing all the work) I'm building a little floor rack for my Digitech, tuner and wireless receiver. Mark now has less wood cluttering up his basement and I'll keep stuff organized.

Got my eyes on a Crate half stack system. So ....

For sale: Really nice Crate 212 amp, $250 or best offer ....

All U2

Shey Fey gave me the box set of the first three U2 CDs. This is what happens when you officially Turn Old.

Also got the Red Rocks DVD, "Under A Blood Red Sky." All I'm gonna say about watching this in its entirety for the first time in 25 years is HOLY CRAP .... Uncle David Youngsma took me to Red Rocks last year, which gives me a greater appreciation.

I'm listening to the Boy album right now and going back in time to my college years, where I'd crank my battered boom box with a warped casette tape and get lost without doing homework.

Music has a way of stamping time, and taking you back.

Even on the liner notes the album "October" tends to get bashed but I think it's my favorite ... no particular reason. "Stranger In A Strange Land" still gives me goose bumps.

All three CDs come with bonus discs full of live recordings and strange B sides, awesome stuff, plus commentary from guitar player The Edge.

Many thanks to my surrogate mother and father, Bob and Anne Mays, who took us out to dinner last night. I am now able to open wine bottles with Bill Clinton. Don't ask .... or try to figure out how I crack nuts with Hillary.

Bloggers And Trust

“For bloggers, it’s all about trust too: except weblogs are starting from zero, building their reputations from the ground up. Blog responsibly, and you’ll build a reputation for being a trusted news source. Don’t, and you won’t have a reputation to worry about.”
John Hiler
Microtent News

More fascinating analysis of everything blogging here.

No Shows

The Funions have nothing planned until early January. We'd like to play once or twice over Christmas so we'll see if anything pops up. We do have some shows lined up in March and April already.

In the meantime, we will practice at Club Vegas and perhaps think about reviving the CD project.

Enjoyed the Sammy Fund gathering last night to thank volunteers and celebrate another amazing fundraising effort. Big thanks to Knap and Anne Knapheide, two genuine people who care.

Did not enjoy my Chippewas getting beat at home by Ball State. Ugh. They played in the snow, not the fog. Wonder if Gus has thawed out yet today ....

Lid Lifter

The QHS girls basketball team starts the season tonight with a home game against Jacksonville. Click here for the official online site.

All home games this season are being played in the much smaller QHS Gym, as opposed to Blue Devil Gym at Baldwin.

I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, the girls deserve to play in a facility every bit as nice as the boys. It shouldn't matter what crowds you get or how the team is doing, it's about equal access. Three years ago I had a big QHS boys basketball booster tell me Quincy Public Schools was wasting electricity and resources by having the girls play at Baldwin (he also told me a certain center would never play on the girls varsity as a freshman, and he was wrong as always).

However, playing at the high school does have its advantages. Our team is not built on quickness, so the smaller court will help. We are lucky to get 100 people to a game and they'll make a lot more noise in the smaller gym.

The Whig sports guys say the volleyball team played at the high school gym and the atmosphere was tremendous.

My impression is that the girls don't really care that much about it - they just want to play. So I'm good with it and I really hope we have a better season.

Good luck Devils!

J'ville

Fun times in Jacksonville Sunday night. Hit a deer on I-72 near Pittsfield, but we had Jack Inghram in the car with us so we were spared. Left a nasty streak on the side of the passenger door and dented the front right panel, but otherwise we escaped unscathed. Man, that sucker hit hard.

Good energy for the U2.1 event. Big thanks to Josh Carlson for running sound and to drummer Craig Sparks for keeping us together, we were a little ragged. The spirt and energy were there, however, and that's all that counts. We'll have some appearances announced early in 2009.

Very Funny

I don't read many of the local blogs but this one caught my eye and I laughed out loud ....

MacMurray

We are taking our U2.1 worship service on the road this Sunday, read more about it here.

It will be very interesting to see what kind of crowd and reaction we get. We've been carried by audience participation so far .... so let's go, Jacksonville!

Road Trip

Went up to DeKalb last night to watch YOUR Central Michigan University Chippewas nearly blow a three-touchdown lead before beating Northern Illinois in overtime.

Met up with Scott McNeal AKA Gus Macker and we had a blast hooting and hollering. I liked the old stadium, pretty simple layout but it has some atmosphere. There was this strange fog rolling in and I got texts saying it was hard to watch on TV. We sat on the 20 yard line in the front row right behind the CMU bench and at times we had trouble seeing through the mist too.

After the game the players sang the fight song for the several hundred Chippewa fans, and Gus and I ran around on the field like little kids ... more fun that you should be allowed to have!

I like going on solo road trips. It's good to sit in the car and think about life, sing along to the radio or iPod, all the while paying attention to the road. I took the new 336 around Macomb to get up there, and I hate I-88 — classic "let's block the left lane for seven miles while fixing two inches of road" construction, mad drivers, toll booths .... yechh. Took more than five hours. Took I-39 home to Bloomington and 1-72 around Springfield to get home, much better, 4 1/2 hours.

Getting home at 3:30 spiked on caffeine is surreal.

P.S. - apparently sheyfey.blogspot.com is back!

Respect for Vets

Please remember our veterans. Today is their day, but every day should be their day.

Here's an idea on how to honor them.

Angry Monks

Holy encounters, Batman!

Nothing says Christianity like a bunch of angry monks ....

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

Fun times in LaBelle last night. Best wishes to Lisa Wolter and her family as she battles ALS. The people were great and treated us well and it was a good experience. We were honored to be asked to play.

The best part came when Lisa's husband offered to auction off his mustache he'd wore since he was a teen. A bunch of people threw $210 into a pot and they shaved it off while we played "Play That Funky Music" with improvised lyrics.

One thing we all noticed right off the top was the smoke. Illinois law prohibits smoking in public places, and everybody in the band noticed it had been a long time since we've had to deal with it.

I don't care if people smoke, in fact I feel sorry for them for being gripped by such a nasty addiction. And I like to have a cigar once in a while too. But a room full of people smoking is the worst. And the funk settles into everything — my guitars, gig bag, stands, everything.

Smoke 'em if you get 'em, I guess.

Ghost Hunting

Went looking for ghosts last night with Brother Ed, Travis Yates, Jim Lawrence and several Quincy University students at Woodland Cemetery's big mausoleum.

It was uneventful until near the end of our visit, when something strange took place. I'm thinking about writing a Whig column about it so I'll hold off for now, but I can say it was a very cool experience.

Woodland ghosts rock!

LaBelle Benefit

The Funions are playing Saturday night in LaBelle, Mo., for a benefit. Lisa Wolter of LaBelle was recently diagnosed with ALS and we want to wish her and her family all the best. Her brother is Tom Miller of Quincy.

We'll start shaking, rattling and rolling around 7 at Almost There, the bar on the north side of the road as you go through town just past the nursing home.

Also ... Prednisolone is wonderful! Had some diagnostics done on the back this week and we'll see what happens, still can't stand for very long, but there appears to be hope.

And .... happy birthday Shey Fey!

And ... ghost hunting tonight in Calftown.

And ... Veterans Day is Tuesday.

The Who 1977

The Who is releasing a DVD of the famous 1977 Kliburn show.

Some of the footage is used in The Kids Are Alright, the best rock and roll documentary ever made. Now the whole concert is available and I'd be intrigued, to say the least.

The Who is on the road again this fall and of course is nowhere near St. Louis or our area, so I'm passing.

Post Election

I don't do posts about politics for many reasons. But this is different, the day after a historic election.

First of all, do NOT make assumptions about how I voted. Voting is a personal thing. If you are a D or R and want the world to know about what you stand for, good for you. I consider voting a right and privilege not to be taken for granted. I am not a Republican or Democrat, and I never vote for a straight party ticket.

The good thing about politics is the passion involved. The bad thing about politics is the passion involved.

I resented the comment in today's Whig from the woman who said "I can't believe people are this gullible" and blamed Obama winning on the media. Equally resented a number of Democrats who complained about an aspiring young R and a county board seat.

I listened to the candidates. I determined if there was media spin. I made informed decisions, and I consider myself blessed to live in the greatest country on earth.

And, to the imbecile who suggested we should all move to Canada after this presidential election .... I still have dual citizenship.

So go ahead and move. I'll warn my brethren to the north, eh?

Get Out And Vote

Pretty hectic at the voting establishments this morning.

Ah, Michigan Republicans at their finest right here.

Get out and vote, dang it!

Endorphins + Music = no pain

Amazing night once again at Union United. We didn't have quite as many people as our April U2charist service, but there was a large youth contingent and the energy level was sky-high, right from the first song.

A big thanks to Pat Cornwell who did sound for us, it was much better this time. We goofed up once or twice and I had a Spinal Tap moment when my wireless guitar rig quit working (dead battery) but the band was pretty tight - I'll give drummer Craig Sparks deserved credit for keeping us going, he's one of the best.

I felt great Thursday night setting up for Funions Elks show, didn't move anything heavy, careful when bending, etc. But Friday afternoon it was bad and I was wondering how it would go Friday night.

I sat for much of the show and discovered once we started playing, I either forgot about my back or something seemed to happen to make the stiffness go away.

The official Wikipedia explanation: Endorphins are endogenous opioid polypeptide compounds produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus in vertebrates during strenuous exercise. They resemble the opiates in their abilities to produce analgesia and a sense of well-being. Endorphins work as "natural fever relievers" whose effects may be enhanced by other medications.

So Friday I behaved for the most part. Sitting makes me play the guitar better and the crowd was ready to dance and party so it worked out great.

Saturday was horrible, one of the worst days ever for my stupid back. Couldn't go on the Woodland Cemetery walking tour, couldn't make it up to Macomb to see Emily play in the district music competition, couldn't do anything. This was one of those golden late Indian Summer weekends and it killed me to not take advantage of it.

Sunday morning was better, plus we had some good music at Trinity UCC and a good service and that always helps.

Felt good setting up Sunday afternoon, and once we started playing Sunday night .... well, as I've often said, "I am not responsible and that was my stunt double."

So it's Monday morning and .... I can't move.

I'm taking the next medical steps this week and things will work out. They always do.

In the meantime ... Funions road trip this weekend, and we are taking U2charist on the road as well! More details coming ...

Getting Ready

The amazing BB King, still cranking it out and sounding better than ever ....

Geesh. If this doesn't get us ready for tonight, nothing will!

Dance The Night Away

Last night was one of our best shows, and it's all because of you.

Fantastic crowd! Man, they were ready to party and have a good time. From the first song to the extended "third set," the dance floor was full and people seemed to really be enjoying themselves.

The Elks crowd tends to be a little more experienced, so we play a ton of groove songs people know — Mustang Sally, Doctor Doctor, Twist and Shout, etc. But when we bust into "Play That Funky Music" they really go nuts and it's a blast to watch from the stage.

People were actually showing up to see us play, as opposed to fleeing the premises (which is what happened in previous Elks shows). Bill Durst and the Elks folks were pleasantly surprised with the great Friday night crowd and we'll make plans to come back.

A big thanks to Warren Riley who filled in on guitar while Chris played his big show at Turner Hall with Fielder.

Elvis was HUGE ... you had to be there.

A word about endorphins ... it's amazing how you can crawl into a building and not even be able to stand up, but when the music starts, they kick in and it feels - so - good - unbelievably good.

Gonna need em tomorrow night at the U2charist service.