kidsmoke

Well it was Brennan's idea.

Ah, but kidsmoke has insanity as her copilot.

I'll be bringing pizza. I won't, unfortunately, be able to share. It'll be easy to understand once you're there, kitkat. Can't wait to meet you, welcome to Via Chicago!

I let Brennan talk me into it. Send vibes. Actually those might be the smallest parts of our baggage. We'll be on the road 14 days total, and it's insane how many things that requires. Or seems to require, anyway. One bag is nothing but potential automotive needs...fluids, jumper cables & the like. I'm an overpreparer, I admit. If nuclear holocaust should strike while we're on the road, all we have to do is set up the fold-out bomb shelter. Ok that part was an exaggeration. Looking forward to meeting you! Don't be shy, come say hello and introduce the wife and daughter.

Diane, that little bar we ended up at last year would suit me just fine, and was very very close to the SSF entrance. Did I mention I'm bringing homemade beef jerky? If Bren and I don't eat it all on the drive from California? No seriously, I'll be bringing the jerky. So no worries about beers on an empty stomach.

Thank God they caught it! Stay well.

Well, I will certainly be there. And I'll raise a toast to you, Diane, for making arrangements! Can't wait to see so many faces again, and to meet whoever I haven't.

Damn, boys, take good care of yourselves and get healthy!

Lazy Locomotives, there's plenty of very reasonably priced (& good!) food to be had within the festival, so no worries about that. I'm beginning to get ridiculously excited. Last year was pure magic. I'll bet it will be again! Can't wait to see you, everybody.

I don't know about the baseball, but I love your photo, David!

I love falconry. Looking forward very much to this!

Hope you are all having a restful and peaceful Memorial Day with those you love, and plenty of flame-broiled goodness. Bratwurst and marinated ribs and corn on the cob for us. What're you having? And of course, the point of the thing...deepest gratitude to all the brave men and women who gave their all for their country. We salute you.

Pretty damned cute. Wilco should have a copy.

Excellent choices! I hadn't heard that V-Roys song before, but damn, it made me cry. I've lost friends like he lost his sister. Poignant and beautiful.

You are THE MAN, Oceanman! 30 days and counting!!! You should be mega-proud of your fine self for shaking the smoking demon off your back. I'm so very happy for you and proud of your resolve! Keep it up!

When I gave Jeff the copy of "Someone Else's Songs - The Covers Project", that's what he commented...that he was afraid someday someone would put together a compilation of all his banter!

I have no idea, Oceanman, since I've never picked up the cigarette habit...but I know that quitting smoking takes tremendous fortitude & resolve, and I wish you the best! Bravo to you for surviving the first stretch, which I'm told is the toughest part. And welcome home to VC!

Ooh, nice choice!

Yes, there are lots of covers released, and also there's a terrific fan-made collection of live covers from various shows. It's a 2-disc compilation put together by VC's own pneyu way back in 2003, and it is fabulous. It's called "Someone Else's Song - The Covers Project" Hazel, drop me a pm and I'll get you a copy, maybe we can get this spread around again. Jeff himself even has a copy, which I gave him after the legendary GAMH show in Jan. 2003.

Oh, Heat, that's awful. Love and thoughts to your family...tonight's news must make it fresh all over again. Mart's brother worked at the Trade Towers. I'm sure many families are feeling exactly as you are, tonight.

Thank you! Trust Mark Twain to have said it perfectly.

So sorry. Mart, our former administrator, lost a brother there as well. So many lives devastated.

Agreed. I'm not into celebrating anyone's death, so this is weird & it's a strange mix of emotions being stirred up. But there's no denying that he was a force for evil and brought incredible cruelty to so many innocent people, so I can only feel relieved that he has been removed from the world. I hope this doesn't lead to more strikes against the US and its allies, in "retaliation". What a world we live in. To all who suffered on 9/11, you're in my thoughts today.

Why would you want to? I dunno....Halloween?

Thanks RainDog, I enjoyed those.