Monday, May 28, 2007

Sweep the Leg, Johnny

At the outset of this glorious but two-day-too-short Memorial Day weekend, we headed for picturesque Pioneertown. I assume it's picturesque. I've never seen it during the day, and it's in the middle of nowhere in the high desert and when it's dark, it's pitch black.

So back to Friday night, and the scene at Pappy and Harriet's. We were there to see No More Kings perform. You've never heard of them by that name, but you have heard of them as "That band with the 'Sweep the Leg' video with Danielsan and the Cobra Kai." So they come off as a novelty band obsessed with 80s pop culture.

We figured if they weren't any good, at least Pappy and Harriet's has awesome chili.

They turned out to be a blast to see live. And even though there was only 15 people in the place (including us), they gave it their all. Even better, they sat next to us to eat dinner while the first band was on. I'd probably never initiate a conversation... but our friend Maggie will. She used the classic "I did that interview with you for the local paper" icebreaker to lure Pete, the singer, into a conversation with us. He was friendly and funny. Then Maggie put me on the spot by recalling a goofy conversation from a couple days ago.

"What was that song idea you were telling me would be perfect for Pete?" she asked me.

Thanks, Maggie! I was about to sound like a complete dipshit in front of someone who was once, albeit briefly, a certified Internet celebrity. But I couldn't think of a lie that would sound better. "Oh... uh... It's called 'Cats for Dinner.' You know, from 'Alf'? Because Alf liked to eat cats..."

But instead of calling me a nimrod, his eyes widened and he got excited. "I've been looking to write an Alf song!"

Maggie suggested he try the chili, which he did, and then write a song about that as well.

After their set, we were talking with Pete and a couple other band members, and they were all really cool. As they were leaving, each one shook all our hands and thanked us for coming. They deserve success, and I hope they go far and don't become one-hit wonders. Also, I want my Alf song to see the light of day.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Now that's a rationalization

Right now, there's a police helicopter hovering around the area swinging its bright beam of light around at the hint of movement. What's out there that needs to be found? It could be an escaped deranged mental patient, or maybe a murderer on the run or even (shudder) a flock of Jehoviah's Witnesses.

Fortunately, there are many homes in this neighborhood so the chances of the interloper picking mine to hole up in is probably a miniscule 100 to 1. And even if he does defy the odds, I've got my vicious attack cats to protect me. Right now, they're hiding under the bed because I sneezed suddenly, but I'm sure they would jump to my defense should this castle be invaded.

But I'd better eat that last ice cream bar in the freezer now. Just in case I'm busy in deadly hand-to-hand combat with a hardened criminal later.

Posted by Brian at 9:39 PM
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Category: Random

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

I see dead people

On the side of a fire station on South Street in Philadelphia:

You can't go to Philly and not indulge in a cheesesteak (seriously, it's Pennsylvania State Code 454a-55). We chose Jim's Steaks because we happened to walk by:

And G-Farb, who now must steel herself for a lifetime of me calling her Schwartzfarb, got married. But I didn't take any photos. Which is odd because that was the whole reason for going there.

Posted by Brian at 11:12 PM
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Category: Travel

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Right on schedule

Every 25 years, the baseball team in Milwaukee makes it to the World Series. In 1957, the Milwaukee Braves beat the Yankees. A quarter century later in 1982, the Brewers came this close to beating the damned St. Louis Cardinals, but lost in Game 7.

Here's a guarantee: the Milwaukee Brewers will be in the World Series this year.

How do I know? After not having a winning season in 15 years and not making the playoffs since that '82 season, the 2007 Brewers have the best record in baseball and show no signs of slowing down (12-3 over the Mets today).

But that's not the reason why I know they'll make the World Series. Nor is it because truly bizarre Web sites have cropped up around this year's team. (And no, I have not signed up. I won my long battle with incontinence three years ago and do not want to tempt fate.)

I know Milwaukee will make the Series this year because I won't be able to watch it. The games are scheduled for October 24 to November 1. My honeymoon is October 20 to November 3, and you know what? It ain't in Wisconsin. It's in New Zealand, and I don't know what the TV lineup looks like there, but I'm guessing that the Kiwi version of ESPN broadcasts cricket or rugby or some other sport the Brewers don't play.

Think Debz will let me reschedule the honeymoon?