The people in this video are just plain stupid and their behavior sickening. That McCain and Palin are fostering the notion that Obama is a terrorist is absolutely despicable. That they do not publicly condemn this is deplorable and they should be ashamed of themselves.

Thanks in a large part to the current republican administration, our Country’s economy is falling apart. And this is what McCain decides to concentrate on? Inciting a mob like this shows lack of character, horrible judgement and is just plain dangerous. For God’s sake man, show a little class…

The boys (and Lorie) will once again be playing out at The Roxbury Tavern. Come on out, you’ll be glad you did. They serve great food and have a fine selection of beer. It’s also the best place in the area to see acoustic music. Plus, it’s FREE!

This past Saturday, (This is the) Squirrel Hunters played our second show at the 4th Annual Brooklyn Bluegrass Festival. The 3rd incarnation of the fest had seen heavy rain on Friday night… and so, not to be outdone, the weather this year decided to take it up a notch and include Tornado conditions. The tornado alarm went off during our opening tune! I myself, having been feeling rather funky all week, and apparently not wanting to be outdone by a little silly weather, decided to have a panic attack during the second song of the set, and nearly provide the audience with a face plant from stage.

But the show must go on… or as Sean would say… “What would Duffy do?”. I managed to remain vertical, hit the tenor parts and with hands shaking, bang out a few solos. Actually, it sounds far better than it had seemed from stage… yeesh.

You can find more TITSH clips on YouTube.

Okay, I have been slacking… but only in regards to updating my blog (and buying a dresser for the lump of cloths on by bedroom floor). I’ve actually been quite busy with my new band (This is the) Squirrel Hunters.

For some time I have known that in order to get my playing to the next level, I need more reps and to be forced into sweating every detail. In other words, I need a band. As luck would have it, I have some good friends who’s playing I enjoy and who all have similar interest in improvement. Thus was born (This is the) Squirrel Hunters.

We recently had our debut… our maiden voyage… our, if you will, debutant ball (oh, and I will)…. The event took place at one of my favorite bars, the Roxbury Tavern. Tom, the owner/proprietor of the Roxbury, showed his TITSH colors by cooking up a fantastic squirrel stew in honor of the occasion!

It was a fine time to be sure. There’s work ‘o plenty still to do but it was a fine beginning. You’re welcome to see for yourself. There are a few videos up on YouTube, as well as a photo sideshow on the band site. Our next show is this weekend at the Brooklyn Bluegrass Festival in Brooklyn, WI.

Today, as I was hauling yet another “Shopper Stopper” (a junk-snail-mail newspaper in Madison, WI) to the recycle bin, I decided to take a look at and see if there was a way to stop their delivery. None was listed, so I turned to Google…

To stop delivery, just call Madison Newspapers’ customer service number at 608-252-6363, select option 5, and ask them to stop it. Should stop in 1-2 weeks. Thanks Google…

After 31+ hours of air travel (and just barely making it out of St. Louis), I was able to sleep in my own bed last night. I’d like to thank Mike, the Duffs, and the rest of the boys for putting up with me for the last two weeks and for showing me a fine time!

I may post a bit more media in the near future… or not… either way, here’s some audio of Mike and I playing Squirrel Hunters in lovely Fremantle, Australia.

Being that I’m currently more interested in doing rather than typing, feel free to take a peek at some pictures I posted over at the Mandolin Cafe…

Recap: Madison (-11˚) to St. Louis (flight canceled) Chicago (missed connecting flight; stayed the night in a dump); Chicago to LA at 4:20 12:15 11:25; Sit around LAX for 8 hours; LAX to Melbourne Sydney (16 hours); 3 hours in Sydney (turned out to be just barely enough time) and then Sydney to Perth. Piece of cake!

I myself, and more disturbingly, American Airlines/Quantas, have no idea where my bag is so it was off to Target to buy a couple of t-shirts and some shorts.

After diner, a few beers, some fabulous wine, some mandolin and a bit of sleep, I’m feeling almost normal this morning… this will surely not last but I will roll with it while it lasts!

I’m sitting in LAX, gate 45, hunched near a column that is graciously supplying me power and blocking the sun from my screen. I had decided I would try and get the hell out of Chicago asap and was able to switch flights and get out before noon. This worked out but now gives me a copious amount of free time in LA. Oddly, in LAX, time passes exactly as slowly as you’d guess.

SIDEBAR: While I was typing the paragraph above, a woman came up to me, looked out the window and said “what hapened? It was just sunny”. I looked up and sure enough, in the last few minutes, LA is covered in fog! REALLY weird. No way can I miss ANOTHER flight! Eek!

Anyway, I never explained WHY I’m going to OZ…

FLASHBACK SEQUENCE

It all started a few months back. I was chatting with Mr. Mike Compton and he was telling me about his plans to tour around Australia. It would include both West and East Australia legs (thus making it suitable for pants) and would include, but not be limited to, guests Paul Duff and Steve Gilchrist. I was surprised when he invited me along… and he seemed surprised when I said “hell yeah I’ll go!”. I don’t think it would surprise anyone that I would trade Wisconsin’s -20˚ for Perth’s 100˚… nor a chance to hang out with Mike and two of the finest mando builders in the biz. All in all, it sounded perfect for a mando-centric vacation in OZ! How could I miss?!?

FADE IN: GATE 45

I’ll tell you how I could miss… I could miss another damn flight!

I thought I was clever when I booked my flight to Australia and chose to go through St. Louis rather than Chicago. Yeah… not so much. So after my St. Louis flight was canceled, I got to go to Chicago anyway. And what went from 20 minutes to catch my connection turned to -10 minutes to catch it. I ran two terminals but just missed it regardless.

So after spending 6 hours to go from Madison to Chicago I’m stuck here. Funnier still is that being the genius I am, I packed my jacket, hat and gloves in my checked bag, thus forcing me to run around 20˚ Chicago in sweatpants, shirt and Crocs :) Fun! American put me up at the lovely Wyndham Hotel (and by lovely, I mean shitty and by hotel I mean construction zone). Wyndham… where the free Wi-Fi is $10, the coffee is always Starbucks (and $3) and the beds are made of rubber.

So… long story longer… I’m off for my trip to OZ… part II (the revenge). Tah.