A Blog Less Ordinary

So the other day I went in for my second in a series of epidural injections into my back. Technically, the injection is into the epidural space surrounding my spine. Sounds all well and good. So anyway, I'm laying on the operating table with my bare ass waving in the breeze watching my spinal column on the live video monitor in front of me, nothing good is on....few vertebrae, some pelvis. So the doc is back there working an 8 inch long needle around my spine and mutters about being unable to find where he needs to inject the fluid. He tells me he will need to "reposition" the needle in my back. This sounds like much more fun than it actually is. As its early in the morning, I am not quite prepared for the nerve running the length of my leg to be hit and set off all the associated pain receptors. This sensation is as fun as it sounds. So, after agonizing minutes of searchign the doctor has the needle in place. The nurse however, is not quite as on the ball. Having never done this procedure before, she does not have the steroid to be injected prepared. The doctor is trying to hurry her along, and I to do my part calmly address the kindly nurse: "Look lady, if that piece of metal was sticking out of your ass...I think you'd be moving a little quicker to get it out." There really are no words to describe the sensation of something metal jostling around in yourspine....I don't suggest you try it anytime. I really wasn't looking for some sympathy on this one....its just so weird that I think everyone needs to just imagine it for a minute, and then look forward to being old one day.

There were some young kids and scouts camping out in the park the other night, so Shawn (the older, "more responsible" ranger in the park, who has defeated me in games of chicken on every city vehicle we have access to thus far) and I decide something needs to be done for the youngsters. We decide to bring the old fox tape back into commission. For those of you unaware with a fox tape, it is a recording of fox pups that are injured or rabbits that are being feasted upon by other foxes. Well, needless to say...the dozens of foxes in the park are intrigued by such noises and come to investigate. Many of them become irate and begin their haunting mixture of a bark and howl which makes the blood curdle. This, along with a few "ghosts" in the woods bolstered by campfire stories helped make it a successful evenign for us. Along with the free cheeseburgers and the hayride trailer hanging on miraculously without its nut to fasten the bolt onto the tractor dragging it.

So, thats how it goes....ups and downs, strikes and gutters....

If I could name you in this song
Would it make you smile and sing along?
This is the goal: to get into your soul.
If i could make you dance for joy
Could that be the second chance to coy?
The bird in hand I would need To help you understand

This is my day, this is my Blog....when things go wrong.

This morning began with a trip to Norfolk to wait in the heat to hear presidential candidate John Kerry speak.  However, when trying to discover the location of my seating area designated by my free ticket I was directed by a kind old usher to simply, "go through that line of protestors over there and past the trees."  Just to put a little emphasis on the phrase that stood out to me THROUGH THE LINE OF PROTESTORS.  Well, several gentlemen were loudly arguing and shoving in the street which had momentarily stopped the crowd around the street.  I chose this as the perfect opportunity to make my dive into the foray for the sake of politics.  Well, one especially friendly female protestor decided to give me her opinion regarding the color of my ticket and the seating area that I had been sent to with her line, "Different color tickets, thats democrats for you!"  This was an interesting comment as my free ticket had not allowed me to sit with the people who paid for front row seats, but thats of no importance.  I did however apply a sharp response of, "Different colored people, thats NOT Republicans for you!"  This exchange could have continued with an attack on my statement, however any thought of this type of retort was thwarted by the fact that my Indian friend that was attending with me was close in tow.  Haha stupid lady.  John spoke and he was entertaining and I was pleased I was able to make it out.  I choose to be quite unlike the rest of America and hear out both sides before resorting to ignorant hatespeech and blind choices, but stupid people's votes count just as much as mine. 

The only way to adequately follow up a trip of this nature was to hit Johnny Rocket's at MacArthur Center and journey to the Chesapeake Best Buy to waste money.  Both of these ventures were rather successful. 

 
Just talked to Ben after his night of rocking out with Carbon Leaf and selling their merchandise for em.  I think he enjoyed it, but look for a blog from him for the official report.  In addition, I'm talking with Rod about the intense rocking out that has occurred for two of the B208 dudes this summer, and we anticipate much more of it in the hottest apartment around. 

Quick revelation.  I think I've scaled back my insanity to suit some females I may have been trying to impress in the past and recently.  However, my search for should be for someone who completely embraces the uncensored rocked out insanity that is my twisted being.  I know that sounds enticing.  If complete craziness is your thing....then tell me....its my thing.

If we're on our way, then okay, let me know.

 

He is the Blogger, he knows when and where to strike.

Wow.   So much to tell.  Went to see the boys of Carbon Leaf and their CD release party for their new album Indian Summer.  An old keyboardist was added to the lineup possibly for just this show as we was a Richmonder, but possibly for touring purposes also.  The Sixth Man as we will call him (real name Carlos, hung out with his biker buddies and son in the crowd) increased the size of the band by 20% and naturally increased the rocking out by the same proportion.  The guys hit the stage all sporting a pair of shades and some ridiculous headwear.  The set opened up hot and only slowed down as the sun slid away into night and some of the mellow tracks off the new album were set free into the night.  The crowd was 6,000 strong and were obviously hometown supporters of the city's biggest rock act.  This was fun to enjoy after having seen the Leaf play bars in Georgia/South Carolina to crowds of 100 newbies.  They still have the ability despite the more softer moves lately to bring any size crowd alive...jumping, dancing, singing and grooving was the congregation's response as Reverend Barry Privett led them in numerous sing-dance-clap alongs that have become Carbon Leaf staples: Mary Mac, Sloop John B, 7 Brides for 7 Sinners and a new interactive tune taken from the vast Zeppelin files Bron-Y-Aur Stomp, which was a dedication from Carter to his dad.  As usual, the man behind the mic, Barry, was talkative and borderline standup comedian between tunes...although he played musician  for the opening number This is My Song with the acoustic guitar.  Some excerpts of band pillow talk between jams included Barry "serving" Jordan, the bassist, and encouraging him to "serve" him back in order for it to be "on".  Jordan proved the bigger man and hid beneath his 10-gallon hat, accusing Barry of starting everything.  The insults did not stop there as Barry then turned his attention to his old friend and guitarist Terry Clark by dubbing him, quite appropriately, Fozzy the Bear, and accusing him of being the softest man in rock and roll.  In retaliation, during Barry's rant on why fans needed to buy the albums he dangled beneath their greedy noses, Terry grabbed several from the stack behind them and launched them into the crowd, although Barry complained of this being a liability...this is just more proof of how Carbon Leaf is a band built around the music and the fans.  As officials announced the official end of the evening's festivities, they violated protocol for the sake of Virginia's best live band (take THAT Dave Matthews) and allowed another 30 minutes of Carbon Leaf for a very appreciative crowd.  The night ended with band and fans pleased and hopefully with enough of a Leaf fill to last at least through the week.  This guy got to break a 7 month Leaf dryspell and spend the evening with a very lovely lady, so this could be cause for making the review that much more glowing.  However, Park Ranger duty and reality called me back that evening to my hometown but I left with a smile on my face and a song in my heart as only one's favorite band can do, and put a positive spin on life in general.  Everyone go purchase a copy of the new CD, if not to keep food on the band's table, just to give the author something to look forward to every year or so. 
 
It's a New Year's toast, grab your list to conspire
the last snake hissed as he was thrown on the fire
You've come far and though you're far from the end
You don't mind where you are, cause you know where You been
             -Let Your Troubles Roll By

John Kerry, what a guy

Kudos to you John, on making the correct pick for your running mate in John Edwards. Apparently Dan agrees with every other rich white American that we don't want everyone on an equal playing field. Give me a fucking break. Like I have any sympathy for doctors. They're freaking out because they might lose the iron grip they have on the wallets of Americans. Howard Dean, rather Doctor Howard Dean believed that universal health care was feasible for America, and his case had been proved in Vermont. Besides....its probably even more foolish to think that a universal health care system would actually pass into law anyway. As a side note...just wondering how many doctor's sons are in Iraq right now.

Umbrella in the rain

This new Carbon Leaf album is going to be insanely good. Just an unbelievable piece of music. As I hear more and more of what is to come, I know that this album will sum up entirely how I feel at this point in time. Many Carbon Leaf songs have done it on an individual basis....but this body of work, incredible. Instead of including in my blog how I feel right now, everyone will just have to go purchase a copy of the new album!