Tuesday, December 28, 2004

Gearing up for the new year

Well, it's midnight December 29th and I'm packing for my new year's trip to Boston. I didn't make it home for Christmas because I had too much work that had to be taken care of, but at least I'll get out of Austin for a short time. First, I'll fly into Washington, D.C. to meet up with Cara. Can't wait. I haven't seen her in 11 days. I think that's the longest since she arrived here in Austin. I'll get to visit with the fam for a few hours and then we'll hit the sack. Next morning, it'll be off to Boston. What am I thinking by flying, right now, with all the lost luggage and snow storms? I don't know. I'll just roll with it and hope that I don't have any major disasters. If this year is anything like last year, this should be a great trip. Cara's friends are cool people. It's a different crew considering that all of them are musicians which means they use a different side of the brain from me, but somehow we seem to meet in the middle. I'll try to get some pictures to post. You never know what kinda drama will erupt. Maybe Brandon or Jamie (the other Jamie) will get mugged again this year or maybe Cara and I will get on the wrong subway again. Yeehaw!!! Happy New Year!!! What is your new year's resolution? How 'bout letting me know by leaving a comment. Just click the "comments" link to leave a message. Cheers!

Monday, December 27, 2004

..::Donavon F::..

Here's another ACL artist who proved to be a tremendous surprise. Cara and I were takin' a break from the sun when we stumbled on Donovan Frankenreiter playing his set. Suddenly, on the stage walked Jack Johnson Jack Johnson
followed by G-Love G-Love!!!
Man, it was a great moment.

Check out the surfer/musician Donovan F:
..::Donavon F::..

American Red Cross - Credit Card Contribution

Okay, everyone. The tsunami that struck southeast asia has to be one of the worst disasters of our lifetime. We absolutely have to step up and help these people. Think about it, over 50,000 people are likely to be dead. That's more than 15 times as many people who died in the WTC tragedy. That's more people than were killed by the A-bomb in Nagasaki! If we can spend $200,000,000,000.00 to take war to Iraq, we should be able to give some relief to these people. I think that this is an opportunity to show what America really represents. So, I beg of you to donate to the Red Cross by going to this website:
American Red Cross - Credit Card Contribution

Sunday, December 26, 2004

Austin City Limits Festival


Austin City Limits Music Festival - You can see all of the stages.
If you're interested here's the website: http://www.austincitylimits.com/festival/
Maybe you could plan to visit during ACL. It is a great time!!!Posted by Hello

Snow Patrol Official Website

Snow Patrol Official Website
If there's one thing that you should know about me, it is that I love music. I devour new music like some people devour new books or new toys or new gadgets. If you didn't notice, I've already put in a plug on this blog for Wideawake whom I think should be the next band to hit it big coming out of Austin. Keeping my fingers crossed, Scott and Eddie! Today, I purchased the Snow Patrol CD with a gift certificate that I received on my birthday (Thanks Chad and Mireya!!!). I couldn't have used the gift certificate in a better way. The new Snow Patrol CD is just plain good! Their sound is sort of a Cold Play meets Beck. They say that their influences include Dinosaur, Jr., The Pixies and Soundgarden. I think that they're closer to Dino. Jr than any of them. Thank goodness! This CD will definitely become a part of the rotation on my mp3 player. "Run"!!!
I also bought the soundtrack to The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. This soundtrack is as unusual as the movie, but it'll be great when the world becomes too mundane to bear. I really like Beck's song and Wada Na Tod by Lata Mangeshkar. Just to give you an idea of some of recent additions to my music collection, here's a few from the last few weeks:
No Doubt - The Singles (1992-2003)
This is a catalog of kick-ass songs featuring one of the most unique female vocalists in Rock/Ska history! Gwen Stefani. Gotta love her. She already has my vote for the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame.
Ben Harper - Diamonds on the Inside
How can anyone question his talent! Everything that Ben does is golden. Ben has played the last two Austin City Limits (ACL) festivals and his performances were euphoric.
Lucinda Williams - World Without Tears
This jaded female songstress expresses her emotions with the demurity of a scorpion. Her lyrics are piercing but she delivers in such a way that you want to meet her at the bar and cuss over a glass of whiskey along with her.
Lucinda also played at ACL 2003. At the time, she was new to me, but I've come to appreciate everything about her.
Jet - Get Born
When I listen to these guys, I can't help but think of the Beatles. That may not be their intention, but they have it. Fortunately, there's enough of a mod-rock injection that they can claim they're own sound. I play this CD when I'm getting ready to hit the town, because it has contagious energy.
Toni Price - Born to be Blue
Now, this is an interesting CD. Toni is a local Austinite who plays regularly at the Continental Club. The title of this CD appropriately reveals her unfortunate encounters with love. Cara and I saw Toni Price play at Antone's in downtown Austin and I couldn't help thinking of some washed up wall street suit who just lost his life-savings in a bad investment. As she sipped on her glass of "Tennessee Whiskey," it was apparent that she was living a Janis Joplin-esque lifestyle. No matter, though. Her vocals never failed. She always maintained the angelic harmonizing that is captured on this album.

The Day After Christmas

Well, I survived christmas all alone out here in Texas. Not really. I had a very nice Christmas day dinner with a sweet lady, Patty, who invited me to join her and her friends. It was a very nice day. I met some interesting people. Fortunately, for me, they were scientists (archaeologists) so I was able to discuss much science. Did you know that yellowstone national park is actually volcanic and the park rests inside an active caldera? Or, that there was once a glacial lake in Montana, Idaho and Washington that was larger than any of the North American great lakes that we know today? You never know what you'll learn at christmas dinner. :)~ Well, I was really thankful to have my friend Hari join me, because I might have been a little out of place with this group of seniors. All in all, it was a good christmas and we came home with gifts. Not only did Patty go out of her way to make us feel comfortable by showering us with gifts, but we also played "dirty" santa. A game in which you draw numbers and pick from random gifts brought by each guest. When it is your turn to pick a gift, you may pick from the unwrapped gifts or you may take a particularly attractive gift that someone has already opened. I am now the fortunate owner of a "sinister" looking decanter whose origins are questionable and whose purpose is equally dumbfounding. I also received some lottery tix that yielded a massive $7 in winnings! So, today I am wallowing in my newly found fortune. Maybe I'll buy myself lunch at my favorite Chinese "fast-food" joint, Hoa Hoa.
Cheers!

MSN Money - Savings Calculator: Saving & Spending

MSN Money - Savings Calculator: Saving & Spending

Do you want to know how long it will take you to save your first million dollars? Check out this website.

Friday, December 24, 2004


Shaun, what did you find? Posted by Hello

.:| wideawake |:.

.:| wideawake |:.

This is the best band in Austin!!!

Thursday, December 23, 2004


Howdy! Posted by Hello

Jamie and Cara - Christmas 2003 Posted by Hello

Today's the first day.

It's Christmas eve eve (December 23rd, 2004) and I'm already starting my New Year's resolution which is two fold. #1- Keep in touch with my family and friends more. #2-Keep some sort of journal. So, although, I don't have much to report today, I would like to say that I miss everyone dearly. I'm gonna be in Austin, TX through Christmas this year which is very far away from home so it definitely won't be a merry Christmas, but I'll make the best of it. I'm going to hang out with my jewish friends on Christmas eve at the Mazel Ball (http://www.theluckylounge.com/mazel/). They seem to know how to enjoy the holiday so at least I'll be doing something.
Cheers for now! Maybe I'll be inspired to write more later.