I am totally voting for Hillary! Not only is she the best Republican candidate since Regan, but she’s also proven to be willing to fight the meaningful fights. I’ve enjoyed our current administrations grasp on reality and feel that Hillary shows the most promise for hitting that ground running. I enjoy the fact that she doesn’t spend most of her time discussing governmental issues, but rather discussing her issues with her opponents. I think this gives us a glimpse at the decision-making, character and class she has shown in the past, and what we could expect more of in the future.

Hillary ‘08!

Even if you’re not that into Bluegrass, I would think you’d find the Flatt & Scruggs TV Show DVD pretty cool. If you are even remotely into Bluegrass, then this DVD series is absolutely essential! I don’t think I can hype these DVDs too much… just go buy one and see for yourself. In addition to the many, many great tunes, they also included some of the original Martha White commercials… which are priceless!

Dear Ohio,

Are you f’ing stupid? Sorry… I mean hi… Ohio. In your quest to be the California of the Midwest, you’ve donned your wool pantsuits proudly and voted for two republicans. Congratulations!

[FLASHBACK FADE OUT]
In a previous life, I was just finishing up a record and was told I needed to affiliate with either BMI or ASCAP. I decided to meet with both factions and decide which was best. BMI talked about how they promote their artists and how they might help my career. ASCAP talked about what a bunch of dicks BMI were. MORAL: Apparently 54% of Ohio musicians are affiliated with ASCAP.

Eight years ago I was fine with people voting for whomever they like… but eight years ago, I still though most of the country were sane and semi-intelligent folks that would never vote for Bush… especially TWICE! And in a pre-post-Bush America, I can no longer blindly turn the other cheek… and so, to my Midwest brethren, I say UP YOURS OHIO! Please take Cleveland and shove it up your buckeye! You are now dead to us and officially part of the Mideast.

Seriously though… who votes for someone who would use a picture of a dude in a turban and/or the red phone as props to further their cause? Who wants that kind of experience?

Today was the first time this year that I wasn’t excited to get out the Toro and do some light Torroing. I’ve had enough of snow this year thanks! Could we make with the sun and warm already!?!

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.

My favorite mandolin player on this planet is Mr. Mike Compton. In an odd turn of events, I also consider him a friend. That he can suffer through with my playing and not throw up (not noticeably at least) is the finest musical honor I’ve achieved. This is a clip of he and I playing in Margaret River, Australia. You can find more videos and sundries over on that there YouTube…

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.