So, there's lots of news. I have a list at home, I think, and I'll make a stab at getting it all up here later. The upshot of the whole life thing is that I am still breathing, still healthy, still employed. No big doing's, but there's plenty to be excited about.

I won Rush tickets, in addition to buying a set. So I am looking to unload 2 seats. Anyone?

Desktop pop can count up by two today to 234 cans. Part of my chores at work were to clean up all old equipment and piles of system related matter. I did that. The place is spic and span. They never said anything about the cans. But still...I have a feeling that I'm going to lose them soon. My work area is being moved as a part of a huge office consolidation, and when all is said and done, I will be sitting in Carpet Land. Carpet land was my nickname for where all the mucky-mucky's worked. I most likely won't be able to get away with cans in my office.

Had a little birthday dinner for my Mom and my housemate tonight. Their birthdays are one day apart. They actually occured last week, but in these busy times, it's hard to get the family (extended or otherwise) together all at once. We had a good time. My housemate brought his..well, I don't know what. I guess we can call her his "ladyfriend." She's really nice. Got along fine with my parents, and seems to have a good sense of humor. Well, she hangs with my housemate - she has to. I had already given my Mom her present - a White Pine. So, last Sunday found me digging a hole in the backyard I mowed as a teenager, planting a tree. First time I ever planted a tree. Can't say I was filled with a sudden urge to go forth and save the planet, but it's a nice tree and looks good there. Hope it lives many, many years.

Slow night for television. Tonight was a rare night that found me at home. Eddie Izzard on video tape was summoned forth. God, he's funny. He plans to tour the US next year. Wherever he is, I'll be there. It's funny. I have found many people who have harbored an almost secret love of Eddie Izzard. When I mention him, their faces light up, as if to say "Oh my God! Someone else who understands!" Then we talk in French for a bit and giggle helplessly.

So. I guess I gotta catch up a bit. May was a busy month. Spent a lot of time at work clearing house. We've lost more people. Good friends, too. Cutbacks and unprofitable departments. My company has made it clear that they are in this business for the payola, and anything that isn't positive ROI is gone. I guess that's the shape of business. A lot of local people have lost theirs jobs, so I suppose we should count ourselves lucky. Like I said earlier today, I'm still there, although it was close. On the positive front, now I am looking at real training and certification - which is necessary to have these days.

Further back than May, even, I saw John Prine at the Palace Theater in Albany. He's short! Shorter than you'd imagine. Stalked out on stage with a huge Double O guitar strapped around his body, and a big old smile on his face. He looked great. An imp with a smile. That's the best description I have. He dazzled us with his wonderful songs for a couple hours. I loved how he described writing "Souvenirs." He used to be a postal worker, and one day he got this tune for a song in his head as he was driving his route. He wrote the words down on paper against the steering wheel. He recalled thinking (and I'm paraphrasing), Oh man, this is going to be tough to learn to play this melody. It's gonna be all these hard jazz chords or something. Well, he got to the gig and took his guitar into the bathroom and found out that the song used the same three chords that he always used. He also played a brand new song called "The Other Side Of Town". The lyric goes something like this: "My body may be here catchin hell, but my soul is just down the road a spell". It was a wonderful show. He played all the favorites with that smile - Illegal Smile, Ain't Hurting No One, Daddy Was a Carpenter, Sam Stone, Angel from Montgomery, Lake Marie. Wowie.

Also somewhere in April, I got my boat launched. It was another comedy show at the launch ramp. Floated fine, but the engine wouldn't start. I ended up hauling it to the slip with the club's work boat and tying it off, muttering as I went. I am sort of proud of myself. Between chatting with people and poking at the damn thing with wires and meters, I diagnosed the trouble myself. The ignition switch was (warning, technical term ahead) fully buggered up. Rather than replace it with a new part, I simply bypassed it with a momentary switch that my Dad rigged. Installed it so that it sits right on the control console near the failed switch. Looks sharp! Haven't had much opportunity to use the boat much, but the point is that it works.

I think we're up to May now. The improv group is going well. We've got some good talent, a growing fan base. We've done 3 or 4 shows now, and we're booked through the summer. This has been a fun experiment. More than just the comedy part of it, I have found a group of people that I am very happy to be friends with. We've been out to dinners, drinking, parties, and messed about on the tennis courts.

I've only been out golfing once this year. Did 9 holes with some coworkers before work one beautiful morning. I was very happy that none of my tee shots went right or left. Nice and straight. Now I need more distance - on everything.

On May 7th, Warren Zevon's new album "My Ride is Here" was released. I like it. It's not as strong as his last album, "Life'll kill ya," but nonetheless, it's classic Zevon. He does a duet with his daughter on a song called "Laissez-Moi Tranquille" (Leave Me Alone). The song was written by a french performer named Bruce Daigrepont. The lyrics can be found here. A small bit of trivia is that on the song "Hit somebody!". David Letterman does backup vocals.

On May 9th, the play I was in opened in auspicious Cohoes, NY. It was an original piece written here in Albany, and we performed it 3 times. Got my picture in the papers. Lots of fun, but a lot of practicing! By the time we were done with the piece, I knew everyone's parts by heart.

On opening night of the play, a friend of my across the street neighbor hit my BMW with her car. We think that she was drunk, because they got out, looked at her car, and then drove away. Luckily, there were witnesses. The cops had to drag the identity of the culprit out of my neightbors (who lied straightfaced about being involved). I contacted the girls father (she was young) and he made a stink out of the estimates (they were high) but eventually paid the lowest one. I could whine more about this, but I won't. I have decided to sell the BMW, though. Got two cars. Only need one. Know anyone? Make you a good deal.

Halfway through May, Rush's album Vapor Trails hit the store. Nice, punchy, loud and hard. I mean, Rush has made a real departure from their art rock days. They's changed with the times. Sometimes I will admit - I miss that great turnaround stuff like La Villa Strangiato and the arty movement filled tunes like Xanadu and Camera Eye. This is good stuff. I bought my tickets to the show on a Thursday, during an internet presale to fans, 2 days before they went on sale and still only managed to get balcony seats. I guess because they give all the other seats to radio stations. That's how I managed to win 16th row seats. But, I've discussed this before.

Can't talk about May without mentioning the latest Star Wars movie, Attack of the Clones. I liked it. The romance stuff was necessary, but insipid. Can't wait for the next one. So much darkness.

Also saw Spiderman. I thought it was good. Lots of fun. Three words: Wet Kirsten Dunst.

Sorry. I'm a guy.

Softball also started somewhere in there. As usual, we're not strong offensively. Well, or defensively. But we're having fun, right? Um, right?

This brings us to June. I took a trip to New York City on June 1st right after they finished work at clearing Ground Zero, but I want to spend more time on that entry. So, I'll close tonight with this thought by Frank Zappa:

"I'm very fond of stupidity. I think it's probably the most important and least understood aspect of American life. American society,...has a concept of coolness and cuteness...both are factors of stupidity...Now that we've established diplomatic relations with China...those people are ready for coolness, cuteness and stupidity...It's not getting any smarter out there...You have to comes to terms with stupidity...and make it work for you." - Frank Zappa, 1979

In this day and age, gone is the time when parents hung their childs art on the refrigerator. These days, it's emailed to us and we post them on our websites.

Simba, by Amy Howe

I think she did a rather nice job, don't you think? Well? Don't you?

In the news, it seems that our Pets.com sock puppet friend has landed a new job. Thanks to our sharp eyed field correspondant, LoaferX, for the heads up on the story. Here's the full text:

Pets.com Sock Puppet Lands New Gig

By Angela Watercutter
Associated Press Writer
Sunday, June 23, 2002; 2:28 PM

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - It wasn't his first job choice, but at least the Pets.com sock puppet hasn't joined the high-tech unemployment line.
One of the most recognizable icons of the dot-com era has a new agent and has inked a new deal for a California financing company.
The puppet is now represented by Hakan & Associates, Inc., the same company orchestrating the comeback of Taco Bell mascot Gidgey the Famous Chihuahua. It's just signed on as the mascot for 1-800-Bar None, a Pleasanton, Calif.-based company that provides car financing for people with bad credit.
The sock puppet has been out of work since online pet store Pets.com was forced to shut down for lack of funds in November 2000. Hakan Enterprises, Inc. bought the rights to the icon in 2001 for $125,000 during the Pets.com liquidation.
"It is not often that a company will adopt the mascot of a defunct company," said Christina Duffney of The Direct Marketing Association. "Such a company runs the risk of being associated with a business that wasn't a success."
Duffney said the sock puppet may be a different case since it generated a lot of attention on its own and many consumers did not associate it with Pets.com. That could work in 1-800-Bar None's favor, she said.
"It will be interesting to see how the business uses the puppet and if they succeed in associating the puppet with the company," she said.
The sock puppet will be featured in a series of television ads for 1-800-Bar None beginning in July.
Jim Crouse, chief executive of 1-800-Bar None, said he hopes the sock puppet will send the company's message – everyone deserves a second chance - "cleverly and with a touch of humor."

Woo boy, I'm melting. It's one thirty in the morning, and I am sweating. I think summer is finally here. Had another gorgeous sunset tonight while I was playing volleyball (we swept, 6 games, lost none). That means tomorrow will be a wonderful day, and of course, I'll be trapped at work. Well, sort of trapped. I am involved in a huge salvage/cleanup project and I have to go to our Cohoes site tomorrow to supervise final load out. Anyone need a computer room floor? Speak up, speak up. I think I might try to get away with wearing shorts tomorrow.

So, as promised, I finished the page about my trip to New York City to see Ground Zero. It's not totally rant free, as I was attempting to be reverent to some extent. Well, you can check it out.

I did have a great time in the city. I do like visiting there. I am getting fairly used to moving around. Drove my BMW to Poughkeepsie and jumped on the train there. Metro North takes you right down to Grand Central Station. From there, you can get anywhere. I went down with a buddy of mine. On our agenda was to see a friend's band play in Soho, and visit my friends cousin, who now lives in the city. We ate lunch outside, drank Corona, walked Midtown, drank Brooklyn Lagers at the Rockefeller Center Rink Bar, had Champagne on the 32nd floor of the Griffin Building, dined at a great French place in Soho (Chad Lowe and his wife Hillary were there). I had Salmon, an appetizer of squid, and wine. We gave in to our urges for Canoli for dessert, and jumped in a cab down to Little Italy. Walked back to Soho via Chinatown, caught some bands, stayed up late, got up early, had breakfast on the west side (above 60th street), Bloody Mary's near Grand Central, and then out! Whew. What fun!

I'm still hashing. It's great fun. Just had a run last weekend in Grafton. I hared my first and second runs this year. I will even be teaching someone how to hare in September. This coming weekend, I will be traveling to attend my first weekend hash event. I'm also raising interest for some local hashers to travel with me to Washington, D.C. for their annual Red Dress Run.

I am playing softball this year. Position: Catcher. Been having some fun, but we have a weak team, so it gets a little frustrating when you are losing 4,312 to 2. Oh wait. Did we have two? No, that's a zero. Dead bug made it look like a 2.

June 27, 2002 Posted: 7:22 PM EDT (2322 GMT)

LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) -- John Entwistle, the bass player for veteran British rock band The Who, died in Las Vegas Thursday at age 57, just one day before the group was set to begin a North American tour in the city, the Clark County Coroner said.

Entwistle, a bearded, taciturn type affectionately known as "Ox," died at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, said coroner Ron Flud. An investigation was under way into the cause of death, he added.

The Who, known for such hits as "My Generation," "Pinball Wizard" and "Won't Get Fooled Again," were scheduled to begin their three-month tour in a small club at the hotel.

With Entwistle's death, The Who are down to just two original members, singer Roger Daltrey and guitarist/songwriter Pete Townshend. Original drummer Keith Moon died of an accidental pill overdose in 1978.

In addition to playing bass, Entwistle helped out on backing vocals. His songwriting contributions to The Who were sporadic, mostly limited to a few album tracks and B-sides. He released a half-dozen solo albums.

Entwistle, who was born in the London suburb of Chiswick on October 9, 1944, joined Daltrey in a forerunner of The Who in the early 1960s while working as a tax clerk. The band ultimately took shape in 1964 and made an immediate impression with its "Mod" stylings and its expensive habit of trashing all its stage equipment after each set.

April 10, 2002

Who Bassist John Entwistle Dies

LAS VEGAS (AP) - John Entwistle, the bassist for the rock band The Who, was found dead Thursday in his hotel room of an apparent heart attack. He was 57.

Entwistle, a founding member of the band, stood out because he played without emotion, a stark contrast to the antics of lead guitarist Pete Townshend and lead singer Roger Daltrey.

The group was scheduled to play at the Hard Rock Hotel-Casino on Friday, the first date of a three-month, nationwide tour. The Vegas show was canceled but the rest of the tour was undecided, said Beckye Levin of promoter Clear Channel Entertainment.

"I was told he passed away in his sleep last night," Levin said, breaking into sobs during a telephone interview.

Who manager Robert Rosenberg said he was "saddened and shocked."

There was "nothing suspicious" about Entwistle's death, Clark County fire spokesman Bob Leinbach said.

The group, founded in London in the early 1960s, was part of the British rock invasion and the voice of a new breed. Their concerts were literally explosive — a fusion of audacious acrobatics, martial precision and high octane rock 'n' roll that blew away audiences and left the stage and their instruments a smoldering wreck.

The group's albums included "My Generation," "Happy Jack," "The Who Sell Out," "On Tour: Magic Bus," "Live at Leeds," "Who's Next," "Meaty, Beaty, Big and Bouncy," "Quadrophenia," "Odds and Sods," "The Who by Numbers," "Who Are You," "The Kids Are Alright," "Face Dances," and "It's Hard."

They also made the groundbreaking rock opera film, "Tommy," starring Ann-Margret, in 1975.

The group's wild exploits were legendary. During a concert at the Rikki Tik Club in England in May 1966, Townshend smacked Entwistle in the head with his guitar; a year later, drummer Keith Moon, at the close of the band's performance on "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour," detonated a flash bomb that destroyed his drum set, stunned guests and damaged Townshend's ears.

Moon — the band's original drummer — lived life on the edge, right up until his untimely death in 1978 in his London apartment at age 31 from an overdose.

The remaining members of the band retired in 1982 after a concert in Toronto, but they reunited and had toured frequently in recent years. They gave a rousing performance at last year's "Concert for New York," which raised funds for the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks.

They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

Man. I love this band. Tragic news, really. A real bummer.