George Carlin is the MAN!!*

I received this in my email today and decided that it was WAY too good (and way too true) not to post up here for everyone to read. I also love stirring up shit, so I'm sure there will be a few comments (good and bad) relating to this post. George Carlin has always been one of my favorite comedians for two reasons: 1. He's REALLY funny and, 2. He's usually DEAD right with his views of most topics. This is *not* George's take on Hurricane Katrina and the people of New Orleans, but it's still funny... and true... Enjoy.....
***********************************************
"SOMEBODY'S" TAKE ON HURRICANE KATRINA AND NEW ORLEANS.

Been sitting here with my ass in a wad, wanting to speak out about the bullshit going on in New Orleans. For the people of New Orleans: First, I would like to say; "Sorry for your loss." With that said, let's go through a few hurricane rules (Unlike an earthquake, we know it's coming):

#1.
A mandatory evacuation means just that: Get the hell out. Don't blame the Government after they tell you to go. If they hadn't said anything, I can see the argument. They said get out... if you didn't, it's your fault, not theirs. (I don't want to hear it, even if you don't have a car, you can get out.)

#2.
If there is an emergency, stock up on water and non-perishables. If you didn't do this, it's not the Government's fault you're starving.

#2a.
If you run out of food and water, find a store that has some (Remember, shoes, TV's, DVD's and
CD's are not edible. Leave them alone!)

#2b.
If the local store has been looted of food or water, leave your neighbor's TV and stereo alone. (See #2a) They worked hard to get their stuff. Just because they were smart enough to leave during a mandatory evacuation, doesn't give you the right to take their stuff... it's theirs, not yours.

#3.
If someone comes in to help you, don't shoot at them and then complain no one is helping you. I'm not getting shot to help save some dumb ass who didn't leave when told to do so.

#4.
If you are in your house that is completely under water, your belongings are probably too far gone for anyone to want them. If someone does want them, let them have them and hopefully they'll die in the filth. Just leave! (It's New Orleans, find a voodoo warrior and put a curse on them.)

#5.
My tax money should not pay to rebuild a 2-million dollar house, a sports stadium, or a floating casino. Also, my tax money shouldn't go to rebuild a city that is under sea level. You wouldn't build your house on quicksand would you? You want to live below sea-level? Do your country some good and join the Navy!

#6.
Regardless of what the "Poverty Pimps," Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton want you to believe, the US government didn't create the hurricane as a way to eradicate the black people of New Orleans; (Neither did Russia as a way to destroy America). The US Government didn't cause global warming that caused the hurricane (We've been coming out of an ice age for over a million years).

#7.
The government isn't responsible for giving you anything. This is the land of the free and the home of the brave, but you gotta work for what you want. McDonalds and Wal-Mart are always hiring. Get a damn job and stop spooning off the people who are actually working for a living! President Kennedy said it best..."Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

Thank you for allowing me to rant.
*****************************************
Thanks! I agree with everything said, but number 7 is the one I agree with most. The US has FAR too many people mooching off the good graces of the US government.

Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now. Hope everyone is having a good day!

*this post has been edited to correct an oversight on my part. Thanks to Ryan Kruse for pointing me in the correct direction. I incorrectly labeled George Carlin as the author of this, I was wrong. I stand corrected.

Leaving on a Jet Plane...

Hey everybody...

I'm taking a minute whilst sitting in the Newark, NJ airport to post this little nugget. I'm borrowing Sean's laptop, and I've had a few pints, so it's taking me quite a bit to post this! Got on an earlier flight from London, and it's a good thing too. Took me about an hour and a half to clear customs and get my bags re-checked in order to get to my connecting flight's gate. If I would've been on my original flight, I very well could've missed my connection to Nashville. Honestly I just can't wait to get home. I loved England and I'd like to send a heartfelt thanks out to John and Pam Russell for putting up with me for the weeks that they did, but I'm just glad to be back in the homeland. Looking forward to having a whole week to do nothing but get my stuff back in order before heading to Iowa to visit the family for a week. Well, there's not much else to say right now. I'll put up a photo gallery of all of the England pics as soon as I get them... Cheers!

Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is...*

So I went into London on Wednesday, saw Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, #10 Downing St. (Tony Blair's pad), St. Paul's Cathedral and the Westminster Abbey. In the process I got soaked to the skin because I wouldn't pay £5 for an umbrella. I wore my raincoat, but didn't have a hood, so my jeans, shoes and head were drenched. It's been BEAUTIFUL weather the whole time we've been here... except Wednesday. Anyway... to begin the day, the train that was supposed to take us to Liverpool Street in London couldn't get us there (due to "signaling problems") so we had to get off at Stratford instead. Then we had to pay MORE money to get a day pass for the "tubes" (subway).

Anyway... the day started great as the sun was shining and the weather was nice when we got there, so it was fun walking to St. Paul's Cathedral. Unfortunately the day started downhill then as we wanted to go in the cathedral but it was closed! So then we walked a little ways past Big Ben and "The Eye" (a great big Ferris wheel) and as we were passing it, it started to rain... and rain.. and rain.

By the time we got to McDonald's (yep.. even in merry old McEngland!) it was a downpour. Everyone wanted to keep walking though, so we walked past Buckingham Palace, TB's house, Westminster Abbey (were going to go in, but of course it was closed...) and some old barracks.

I wasn't really impressed with any of it, but that was probably since I was feeling like a drowned rat. But then again, I never was much of a history buff, and don't really get off on old buildings. Anyhow, the best part of the whole trip was when we went to the pub and I had 2 pints of Guiness.

Biggest waste of $50 I've ever had... but I guess I only get to waste $50 in London once in my life, right?? Anyway.. I just thought I'd post one more time before I'm back in the States.

We leave out tomorrow afternoon at 2pm for Wellingborough. We'll play there Friday night, then head to Fort San Antone which is between Preston and Lytham/St. Annes. We play FSA Saturday night, and then drive to Wales for our final show. After the show Sunday night, we get back in the van and drive directly to Gatwick airport.

Then I've got about an hour or two before we get on the plane to come back to the States. I've enjoyed England, I've met some wonderful people and made some great friends, but I can't wait to get back home.

Lauren and I have some R&R planned for the weekend and then on Monday I fly home to Iowa for a week. I hope all is well with everyone and I'll post as soon as I'm awake enough to let you all know I've made it safe and sound.

Cheers!
* for the uninformed, the title is in reference to the Chicago song of the same name.

Keith had a little lamb...

... and BOY WAS IT GOOD!!!

Yep.. you guessed it folks.. FINALLY a food review! (Don't lie.. you know you've missed them...)

Walked into Norwich (2 miles each way.. yes, I walked!) today just for something to do, and found a great little restaurant. Imagine that. Me, finding food (strange, ain't it?). Well Wetherby's was the name (I think). I was thinking about 3 different places and my nose just led me to this place. Was perusing the menu and saw Braised Lamb Shank!

Now anyone who knows me knows that lamb is my absolute favorite form of protein on this planet, so obviously I had to order it. I'm always skeptical ordering lamb, but I figured it's a plentiful crop here so I'd be less likely to get something bad. So I strode up to the bar and ordered it (with boiled new potatoes in butter and steamed carrots and broccoli) along with a pint of John Smith Extra Smooth. It's become my favorite English beer, second only to Tetley's Bitter (which I've only had once, but I saw a pub today that had it so that's where I'm headed tomorrow...).

Sitting back down at my table, beer in hand, I people watched and sipped my brewski whilst awaiting my feast. When it came, my jaw dropped. Bone-in and HUGE! The lamb was cooked to perfection (just pink) and served with a lamb gravy that was accented by mint and rosemary. Can we say YUM? The potatoes were perfect, not too hard, not too soft, and the veggies were superb. The lamb nearly fell off the bone and it was absolutely the best meal I've had on the road. I was actually sad when I took my last bite!!

In other food news... Pam Russell (whose house we've invaded for the last week...) has cooked some amazing dishes. Some sort of beef stew with barley, potatoes and carrots that was great! And tonight we had chili, but over here they serve it over steamed rice. Don't laugh, it's GOOD!

In show news... the shows are finally coming together. Saturday night was an amazing show, both in performance and crowd response. The only drawback was that I had to play an archaic electronic drumset. That meant no brushes or nylon rods, so I had to re-invent my parts for "Fiona", "Choices" and "Infinite Love"... sounded strange but it worked.

Sunday afternoon was great too. The venue had a house sound system and the sound guy really knew how to use it. I got to use my kit (and there was much rejoicing... yeah!!) and the band was tighter than Fort Knox. The crowd was really responsive and danced to every song.

Only 3 more shows until I'm back stateside and, truthfully, I can't wait! I love traveling and being on the road, but this is really beginning to wear on me. I can't wait to be back home to peace, quiet and solitude. Sometimes it gets annoying having a guitar being played in your ear pretty much 24/7 (yes, even right now!) ... lol.

Well, gonna hit the sack now... gonna walk into town again tomorrow to get out of the house (and to save my sanity!) Much love to all y'all!

Take It To The Limit

editors note: This was originally titled "Random Ramblings" until I did manage to think of a witty song title that fit with the post....

I was trying to think of a witty song title to put in the title, but alas, my brain just isn't up to the task today. I'm actually not even sure what to write about, but I felt I should post SOMETHING to let everyone
know I'm alive and haven't killed anyone yet (although it's come close a few times...).

I'd forgotten just how stressful a long tour can be on a person. Spending any longer than a week with a group of people can REALLY get to you. It's during that second week that the little quirks and habits that you don't notice on a daily basis start rearing their ugly heads.

Like phrases that are ingrained in someone's speech pattern: "like..", "y'know"... stuff like that, y'know?!? I noticed someone on the tour starting AND ending sentences with that...

Noisy eaters... another thing that grates on me. I try to not be critical, because everyone wasn't brought up the same way I was, but c'mon... you don't have to open your mouth ALL THE WAY every time you chew...

I've also noticed that I'm the slowest eater of the bunch. It seems like everyone else wolfs down their food like they're afraid it's going to run away...

Anyway, enough of that lest everyone start thinking I'm a constant complainer...

Because I know I have my faults too... like being too perfectionistic. Sometimes I just have to slap myself and say "Hey Dumbass... the crowd doesn't notice if your snare rattles a bit too much or your drums are slightly out of tune..."

But all in all the trip has been pretty cool. The people are generally friendly, the chocolate and beer are AMAZING (Cadbury in the states just ISN'T the same...). The shows are getting better all the time, and I've heard tell of someone bringing a video camera to the next couple shows... might a DVD be in the offing? Who knows... I'll keep you posted.

It's odd waking up every morning and having no idea what's happening in your own country. I don't like to watch or read the news because all it does is depress me, but I usually spend my morning watching the 'Today' show (thanks, Mom...) to catch up on current events. Now I find myself surfing over to the Fox News website to get a little information.

I think I'll miss some of the things about England, but I'm ready to get back to Nashville. I need some barbecue and sweet tea!!

We're thinking about going to London on Wednesday, so I'll post a review in typical tourist fashion if we decide to go. Jeff brought a digital camera, so I'll try to get copies of some pics to post... Hope all is well...

Cheers!