Thursday, January 25, 2007
Friday, January 12, 2007
HA HA Neighbours
Well came across this picture and had to share. We have all had neighbors that are a pain and this person certainly takes it to the level of letting them and other know how he feels. I have a neighbor who does not like my Fred, maybe I will take a lesson out of this play book. :)
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Monday, January 08, 2007
What's my name? Joe Strummer
I recently wrote a blog about an early clash concert I attended in Belfast during my mid teens and decided on a follow up regarding the main man Joe Strummer. It was the year 1989 and the venue the bacchanal on Clairemont Mesa blvd. A smaller club that is now a pc store or something like that as it was located in one of those monstrous strip malls. Not a very flattering ending for this club considering some of the great shows that graced its stage. Devo, Alien Sex Fiend, Flock of Sea Gulls, Killing Joke and those are some of what I just saw there. Many more classic acts such as Ray Charles and Joe Cocker, I am sure many more could give input here. But one of the most memorable was of course Joe Strummer. The Modus operandi for me in those days was to buy a bottle of liquor in the store next to the club (now a Cingular outlet) and head across the street to the Burger King (the only place still there) order a coke, small fry and make a stiff drink for sporting a good buzz before the concert. It was on this occasion that this ritual paid off and not just in the obvious monetary terms. While sipping our beverages (Jeff W was with me) Joe Strummer walked in for a pre-show meal. At this time I believe he was claiming to be a vegetarian so I was a little surprised to see him with a whopper hanging out of his mouth as I asked him for his autograph. We exchanged some minor conversation mainly if he had been banned from playing Belfast because he wore a H Block tee shirt (maybe a blog about that someday) he replied with something to the effect of “not really” signed my paper and I let him be. I put that autograph somewhere so safe I never found it again, this is one of life’s regrets, if I only I had that now I would frame it. When he got up to leave we asked him if he was about to go on (in other words do we need to chug) and he replied "na lads take your time it will be a while" . If you have ever been to this club you would know that it would be quite hard to be more than 20 feet from the stage. Joe Strummer a true punk legend almost on par with the likes of Bowie or such in such an intimate place as this. The clash could fill quite sizable venues in their heydays. Anyway he was on tour to promote a solo album "Earthquake Weather”. Not a bad album and you could certainly feel his clash roots. But it was just one album as a solo artist so what did you think he had to fill the rest of the set with? You got it classic Clash numbers. I was unbelievably presented with the opportunity to see Joe Strummer perform all early clash songs standing six feet away from him. Protex blue, what's my name, garage land and London calling just to tickle you a little. Just 4 years previous I saw him at the back of a large hall too intimidated to make my way to the front, to now shaking his hand and watching him play 6 feet away. The night did not go without a glitch. After the third song the power went off to the entire grid in the surrounding area and we ended up standing outside for almost 2 hours. By 12:30 am it still was not back on and I was sure it was going to be canceled. But just before 1am the power was back and he was back playing for another 1 1/2. Truly magical… Of note the place was not even sold out. I suppose this was a good thing for me, but quite surprising. I guess most people have heard of the clash but know little of who the singer is… Anyway enjoy the video
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Here there everywhere a Starbucks
First off I need to say I don’t like coffee so I am probably a little insensitive to peoples java fixes but I did have a mountain dew addiction for about 15 years that I finally kicked but now seem to have replaced with an energy drink one, but I am working on that one too. However I just can't help but notice how Starbucks seems to be taking over the world. Everywhere I go there they are, and in many occasions they open up right across the street from a private neighborhood coffee shop that has been there for years even decades and mostly during a time when the area was not so cool or trendy. Kensington and North Park in San Diego are two examples I can point to. Within a half mile radius of my north park neighborhood there are now five Starbucks stores and if you move it up to a mile radius you easily get to 10. There is one at the end of my street, a new one at the top of my street and even a smaller one in my grocery store. But to top it all off they now have one in Newry Northern Ireland. I must say I was quite surprised when I saw it last week, I thought OMG here now also. I guess I should not complain about that one as it says a lot about how my home has changed and I suppose Starbucks could be unfortunately associated as an indication of a neighborhood that is becoming upwardly mobile, but coming from an area where there is clear saturation it was hard to keep it all in perspective. I am not against Starbucks but what really bothers me about their business model is the audacity they show when setting up shop next to well established establishments. There is no shame in their game and they know it. I suppose if I liked coffee I would feel different and as a friend said to me once "if I want a real good cup of coffee I go to Starbucks" I don't know if that is true but people sure seem addicted to their products. Give me a kordova milk bar any day.
Friday, January 05, 2007
A trip like all others
Finally home from my annual trip to Ireland. For the most part it was the same scenario as previous years, at least since I started taking my daughter with me. When I tell most people where I am going they are usually quite in awe and always assume that I am embarking on a fantastic voyage or a dream vacation. For me its neither, its just home,but I understand what they mean. When going home to see family I think many can agree its not always a vacation. It sadly ends up being quite stressing. There are of course many positives, such as seeing my parents, drinking my favorite beverage Guinness with my friends and catching up with the "craic". I always feel grounded there like I am understood better. One of the big pluses is taking my daughter and showing her all the spots I played as a kid. Ciara is growing so fast and I am increasingly so proud of her, especially on this trip and how she handled herself incertain circumstances. My dad well he is a good guy At heart but very difficult to be around and generally by the end of the trip everybody is waiting for the trip to do just that "END". So I am glad to be back ...
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