Pipe or Box?

The 9th annual Hickert Toss Off hosted by Zach Hickert took place Saturday in Ballwin, MO. This years new location was way out in the burbs, much to the dismay of many city dwellers like myself. Although we had surprisingly good weather, maintaining our undefeated record in the weather category.

There were roughly 50 participants to start the day. Each one received a T-shirt, as well as a food and beer buffet with their entry.

Although we were off to a promising 2-0 start, my partner and I were eliminated losing the next 2 matches. I blame the wind and the slant of the courts.





The beer flowed like wine...and the chili, gumbo, bratwurst combo left everyone sassified




The Championship match

Everyone got an olympics style Tee

One of the many door prizes I left with. A sweet $170 Vestal watch!

Among the others prizes were Cardinals tickets, more watches, hoodys and gift certificates

DTB 9/7/08

Last night reminded me of why I go to shows. It's for those moments that last maybe 5 seconds to a few minutes where you can just get lost in the music. During the rest of the show all of the worries and thoughts of life still play in the background, but in that short span of time reality is left behind and sounds just washes over you.

I got to the Blue note around 5 to take in the sound check with about 3 other people. Afterward I was able to talk to Derek and have him sign my show poster. He was very laid back and humble.

The show lead off with the Greyhounds, a band whom I had never heard of but I will be researching today. It was one of the few occasions in which I enjoyed to music and didn't just want them to get off the stage as soon as possible to see the headliner. I guess I would describe the sounds as Twang funk ( I know, it's a terrible description.)

The main course brought Derek Trucks and his incredibly energetic band. I can honestly say I've never danced so much at a show being completely sober. The setlist brought my favorite song Sahib Teri early on. Later Greensleeves was twisted far beyond anything I would have imagined.

The entire band seemed to be having loads of fun, while mild mannered Trucks dropped his head , closed his eyes and went for it. He rarely made eye contact with the crowd outside of the occasional brow raise after a solo; as if he awoke from a dream and there was a crowd of people before him dying to know what it was about.

The bassist didn't stop grinning the entire night...I didn't either

The setlist; notice anything wrong here? I didn't realize we were in... Massachusetts?

I got a dollar, I got a dollar !..

Great news, The Mcdonalds of the greater St. Louis area have finally caught up with the rest of the world and are now offering the double cheeseburger for $1!

Although it is not on the value menu, Mcdonalds snuck the price change into the regular menu within the past week.

P.S. That is not me in the photo

DTB This Sunday

I will be doing alot of traveling too and from Columbia this weekend. Down Friday to hang out with friends, back Sautrday for baseball and a wedding, and down on Sunday for the DTB show. I'm prepared to have my feet melt into the soles of my shoes.

Here is the poster I did for the show. Limited run

Labor(less) Day

Labor Day weekend brought more excitement than I had imagined. Not only did the Tigers win in their first step toward a national championship, but my team was triumphant in the flippy cup tournament. The ribs were great, the beer was flowing and the cheese balls were cheesy. I have to wonder how many chances I"ll have left in this world to play in a flippy cup tourney.

It's very important to have a well lubricated table.

These were not your standard size solo cups, they were a bit more tall and skinny and a bit more challenging

Although the boot and rally was allowed this year, it was never used. The only casualty was a sprained ankle suffered during celebration.

Many came, many played, only team deuce deuce prevailed...

My homeless friend

I don't like cats. Let me say that again, I DON'T LIKE CATS. I don't like their attitudes, i don't like the way they shed and I especially don't like my allergic reaction to them.

That being said, This is Roscoe. She(I named her before I realized she was a female) showed up on my doorstep a few days ago meowing away. I thought very little of it and went up to my apartment. the Next day it was lying in front of my door as I left for work, still meowing. I paused for a second and ran up to get a can of tuna. Once I brought it to her, she ate like she hadn't been fed in days. I've been feeding her daily ever since. She is very friendly and loving, but as I said before I'm very allergic to cats. I'm pretty sure she was left behind in a move or something because although she doesn't have a collar her front claws are gone.

I've been trying to figure out a way to keep her, but I'm afraid that just isn't an option. I'm looking into taking her to the APA, but I'd like to give her to someone personally.

If you know someone who wants a loving cat that's fairly young let me know.

I'm Back!

Obviously I haven't kept this blog up as well as I would have liked. Life just kind of got in the way and took up too much time. I'm pretty sure that's healthy though.

I've grown to love Kings of Leon as of late. In the past I've been pretty luke warm about them, however I started relistening to their albums and I'm hooked. They have a new album coming out September 23rd I'd look for it to leak in the next week or so.

Okkervil river also has a new one coming called The Stand Ins. This is due out in late September, however there are fake leaks floating around in the Torrent world. I've been told there is a real copy out there and if it's true I'll grab it and let you know how it spins. OR opens a headlining US tour on 9/12 at The Bottleneck in Lawrence,KS. That's as close as they get to me....might have to make a road trip, I know damn well it would be worth it.