what a dreary day!

---First off, hi PJB, thanks for stoppin by.

Things here have been alright, my Moms attitude towards life has pretty much gone to shit now that Den is gone and it really scares me!Setting aside my weekly therapy sessions and time with my Ava, I am completely losing myself in music. As of late Johnny Cash has been a great inspiration to me. He went through hell before he got to where he was in his life (props to The Carter fam. especially June for saving his ass) and I look at that as a way to kinda walk away from life for a little bit through his music. I mean his version of Hurt (which totally kills Trent's version) can still almost make me cry. And the video, forget it, cant watch, too depressing to me right now.

Weather here has been so-so. Some days it sunny and around 50, others (like today) was rainy and in the upper 30s.

The kid and the ex are both well. She is getting her taxes done on Thu. and shes hella nervous, heh.


OK kids more later---

Monday Again?

How did that happen?
It's Monday, again. I think I managed to get over to this blog like once all week. And this upcoming week looks to be just as busy.
I have a laptop on the way which will help my productivity (and blogging) a bit, I can do work at the house. (I'm coming up on a big deadline with my winelist project)
I've got at least 15 bikes in the backroom that need fixing, and 10-15 bikes in boxes to get built so I can sell them.
Today is opening day at Wrigley, I'm not a baseball fan, not even a little, but it does signify springs arrival.
Busy, Busy, Busy.

Talk at ya later.
peter

Gimmie and effin break!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=-qczUcQ-VjM


---Like this is gonna make ANY difference besides someones hidden political agenda behind it.---

Outlaw Music

---Hows everybody doing? Im doing pretty good, just trying to get my illegal music downloads in order and its turned out to be quite the task. I have enough Johnny Cash to drown someone in, which is a beautiful feeling. Ive said it once before and Ill say it once again, if you are male and you have a distaste for Johnny, something is way wrong with you.

Johnny's version of Hurt, kicks the shit out of the original, done by NIN. But then again, Johnny pretty much kicked the shit outta anything that got in his way. The man is legend.

Whats going on with you guys? Havent seen anyone on here in days, so Im basically talking to myself, which isnt too bad, I do it all the time, including answering myself so this means all is normal in my world.

The bottom line is dont fuck with the legend that IS Johnny Cash!---

Spider Man!

---Good Morning Geeks!

Well, the last group of bachelors that lived here left behind a pretty good sized box of Marvel comics, all in mint to near mint condition. Nothing too terribly old mind ya, but some are 1st edition. I have had NO luck finding a price guide online for them ( didnt think I would) and Ive found one decent comic book shop here in town that Im really tempted to take them to and just tell the guys that work there to not be assholes and lie to me about values and just tell me what Ive got.

Thats what makes me nervous, not knowing what Ive got. I used to collect baseball cards as a kid, Id know what to do with those, but comic books? No damn clue. For all I know I could be sitting on a tiny fortune of several hundreds of dollars to a couple grand which would make things really nice right now for my Mom and I. Id give most of it to her anyways cuz Im a nice son like that.

I would just hope the comic book geeks wouldnt lie to me and tell me I aint got shit and then I sell them off to them for a very low price when I had a fortune in my hands. Ill go back there w/ a baseball bat!

Well, thats my latest dilema, that and my Moms gettin her front end aligned on her car this morning and her damn engine light has been on for a few days, but no one is sweating that (yet) those fucking lights can come on for a million reasons.

Whats goin on with you? Hows the weather? The Kids? do tell! The ex and I made up, Ill be heading over there tonight. I miss hearing things from your side of the fence though. Scott, Hows the remodeling going??? Hows the biz PJB??? Hows school Mike??? Hows married life treating ya Mark???

My late May appearance into the Chicagoland area to catch Mike Ness does NOT look good right now. I cant get any answers from you asshats (except Scott, thank you) and the one guy I was gonna meet there to see the show with will be in a truck coming from Kenosha on his way back to Sacramento CA. and it would really put him out, so it looks like I will more than likely havta miss Mr. Ness this time 'round and just wait to catch Social D. as a whole when they get the new album out later this year and do a full on tour for that. Odds are they will hit Des Moines again during the 2nd leg, so hopefully Ill have the chance to sit down and shoot the shit with Mike again, who knows

So, whos it gonna be come November? McCain or Obama? Or maybe, just maybe Hillary or McCain? What cha think????---

GRRRRRR........

--- I swore it was Monday up until about an hour ago. How you guys doing? Im doing OK, got in a pretty decent fight w/ the ex earlier today, but I did the right thing and called her to apologize and all is seemingly well now. She was whining and complaining about all the red tape shes gonna have to cut through before she can figure out what to do. I told her she should just be happy shes getting money (100 grand). Den left us w/ nothing except 8 grand in credit card debt. Things got hot, but all is good now.

It was nice out today here but the damn wind!

I have a ? for fellow Chicago people...is the park west theater a safe area?

I hope all is well with you guys, hope to see back on here soon---

Mom

---My Mother is like a saint. Sometimes she can be a little intense, but you get used to it. Im sick and tired of seeing what little friendships she has be manipulated by everyone but her. I mean fuck, she is still getting over the loss of her husband that she was married to for 20 damn years. She put up with me when I was a junkie in the gutter and then some. Yet her friends play mind games w/ her head.

Dont make Tippy angry. You no like him when he gets angry.

Its hard to describe my relationship with my Mom. She is my best friend, that I do know. I also know I can go to her with any problem I have and her faith has taught me tons of lessons over the years.

Sure, sometimes I wanna smack her, but deep down dont we all feel that way about family at one point or another? I owe her my life, literally, her and God. Without those 2 in my life, I would have been dead years ago I think.

Gosh, at times, I display my darkest human qualities and can admit that sometimes I hate other people. Right now, this is one of those moments.---

Ness on his own

---So, he will be passing through Chicago on May 20th, which is a Tuesday evening, doors open at 630. Would ANYONE be interested in going? If I can pull it off, Ill come into town on the previous Sunday, the 18th.

So, seriously, anyone wanna go? If not, Ill get over it, I think Im gonna meet other friends there anyways, so its up to you, but it would be nice to go to a show with a handful of you guys. Tix are 30 bucks.

Let me know and then Im gonna put some plans into motion.---

Happy Easter

---Whether you look at it as a spiritual holiday or not, its still nice to spend time with family and have some good eats.

Happy Easter my brothers, I hope you enjoy yours!!!---

---So, I hear you guys got 6 inches of snow yesterday, is this true? Im not sure what our temp. is gonna be today but we have a chance for rain everyday for like the next 4 days, typical Spring weather.

Im gonna try and figure somethin out, I MIGHT be there for a very short stint in May, Ill let ya'll know. I havent been up to too much lately. Saw the kid the other night and Im going over there tonight also, to possibly color Easter eggs if they didnt do it last night and to eat pizza. They are headed up North for the holiday and the ex has to do some stuff that centers around her Dad just passing away on Monday so theyll be busy.

I havent followed much of the race for the White House lately. I think Hillary would pull off the biggest shocker in a long time if she somehow manages to get the nomination. But hell, let her and Obama fight it out until the convention and keep their party divided, itll just go to show you how selfish and ignorant the Dems really are.

Ive stumbled across some great stories and footage of Johnny Cash on You Tube lately. Some of it makes me sad and some of it makes me realize what a bad ass he truly was. Not only was he a great story teller when it came to his music, but he was just so iconic. Him and June were inseparable, he was a deep spiritual man too, he also battled his demons and over came them in his life like his rippin addiction to speed. Johnny is what men are made of. He lived, he loved and he learned. And he could kick Elvis' ass any damn day! Its kinda hard to compare the two, but Johnny's music was so much better. He has influenced so many people and musicians, especially ones I listen to.

Well, the blog has taken a nose dive again and nobody is around. This sucks, but I aint gonna give up on it. I just wanna know where the others went besides PJ and Scott...PJB has the business to run and Scott is apparently ripping the inside of his home apart. Where did Mark go? I miss Martin too.

Ah well, have a good one kiddies!---

great vid.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6klx6ViCYsw

Any MAN who thinks this man is not made of what legends are, then he must be queer.



Now I wanna clarify what I mean by "queer" before one of you guys jump all over me and accuse me of hatred towards gays. Im using the word in its old sense, as when one would be silly stupid, or just plain odd. A person who is not right, thats what I mean when I use the word "queer", so all you liberals can go back to bed now, everything is OK.

Used to love her...

Early one mornin' while makin' the rounds
I took a shot of cocaine and I shot my woman down
I went right home and I went to bed
I stuck that lovin' .44 beneath my head

Got up next mornin' and I grabbed that gun
Took a shot of cocaine and away I run
Made a good run but I ran too slow
They overtook me down in Juarez, Mexico

Late in the hot joints takin' the pills
In walked the sheriff from Jericho Hill
He said Willy Lee your name is not Jack Brown
You're the dirty heck that shot your woman down

Said yes, oh yes my name is Willy Lee
If you've got the warrant just a-read it to me
Shot her down because she made me sore
I thought I was her daddy but she had five more

When I was arrested I was dressed in black
They put me on a train and they took me back
Had no friend for to go my bail
They slapped my dried up carcass in that county jail

Early next mornin' bout a half past nine
I spied the sheriff coming down the line
Ah, and he coughed as he cleared his throat
He said come on you dirty heck into that district court

Into the courtroom my trial began
Where I was handled by twelve honest men
Just before the jury started out
I saw the little judge commence to look about

In about five minutes in walked the man
Holding the verdict in his right hand
The verdict read murder in the first degree
I hollered Lawdy Lawdy, have a mercy on me

The judge he smiled as he picked up his pen
99 years in the Folsom pen
99 years underneath that ground
I can't forget the day I shot that bad bitch down

Come on you've gotta listen unto me
Lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be

Hump Day...

---Well, it is a HELL of a lot nicer here today than it was yesterday. The suns out and its supposed to get to be like 55 degrees. Perfect Spring day if you will. I see that that bastard Mike Ness is gonna push back the release of the new album by doing a bunch of US tour dates with his solo band...all the way into July. It would just be stupid to release the new album with no touring support from Social D themselves. Im pretty pissed about that. He plays Chicago on May 20th, if Im really lucky, Ill be able to make it over there to see him. Ive seen his solo act twice already and its pretty damn cool and I wouldnt mind seeing him again.

I find it all interesting that Obama had been a member of that church with that Pastor who has been known to spew forth anti American sentiment up until a few days ago when the shit hit the fan and now hes on this big kick about race and how we all need to get along and what have you. I dont need some rich politician telling me I need to get along with my neighbor, I think I already know that. I guess this crazy Pastor retired a little while ago though, but now has ties to Farrakhan. Thats certainly a bad thing for Obama. I think that this whole ordeal is gonna haunt him all the way to the convention in one way or another. The black vote he gets will not approve of it because it makes them all look bad and the white vote he gets arent gonna even think about having someone like that in power with radical ties like that if they are true or not. I mean for example and this is far fetched and if he did something like this I would think some group would black ball him or have him shot, but Im not gonna follow any leader who begins to question 9-11 or something like that.I dont give a shit who did what on 9-11, all I know is nearly 3,000 innocent people died that day, most of who were Americans that had families to go home to at night and the foreign people were just here on business, they never asked for that, either. No one did!

Screw politics and the politicians that run the machine. I mean why the hell isnt Hillary out there right now burning the shit outta Obama for this whole thing, shes just being quiet. Odd. Odd. Odd.

Anyway folk. Kinda sucks here after not having a pet afterall. A dog is out of the question. Too much up keep for my Mom. Plus the security deposit for a fuzz mutt is like 450. Thats crazy. Our landlord is fucking awesome but he likes to really protect his investment which I understand.

PJB, hows the shop? How the fuck is Martin? Tell him I say hello please and that I miss him on here.

Scott, sounds like you are very busy, how do you get some of the work done with little C runnin around ya during the day? You should snap some pics of the progress so we could all see what youre doing, if you dont mind of course...

My Mom and I will be going over to the ex's place tonight for a spell so my Mom can see Ava. Im really pissed off at that situation. My Mom hasnt seen her since Valentines day!!! Yeah, theres an argument coming about that, but not now, she just lost her Dad, now is not the time, but my Mom in law has seen her tons of times since then and its not right nor is it fair. With me its different, I can see her whenever I so choose, but my Mom has to be "Penciled in". Bullshit.

I was watching some of my Johnny Cash clips last night and it hit me....why dont bands play prisons anymore? IMHO, its because the romance of prison is gone. There are no old timer tough guys there anymore. No Johnnys, no Mikeys, no Eddies. Prisons have been taken over by gangbangers and they sure as shit aint gonna let some of the subhuman rappers play a prison for entertainment.Going to prison used to be romantic. Now when I say that, I dont mean it to be between to people or sexually. Its just that youd get locked up and your girl on the outside waited for you. The boys got real tattoos of spider wed elbows and ink of the names of the loved ones they have on the the outside. There wasnt any gang shit and no Neo Nazi gangs either with knuckle heads runnin around with swazi tattoos all over their bodies. if you have it, listen to the song Prison Bound by social d. That sums up old schooler prison.And if ya dont have it but are dying to hear it now, I can email the song to you. Technology rules!!


OK, I hope I get some feedback from this post, Ill talk to you guys soon. Keep your nose outta trouble, cuz I dont wanna visit you in prison, OK? hehe.....---

Gloomy Tuesday

---Well, that about sums things up here, its definitely Tuesday and it is totally gloomy, damp and there is no shot at the sun breaking through. This is what fall days feel like, I kinda sorta like that except that its ass-backwards and should be a nice sunny wanna be Spring day. Tomorrow its gonna be 54 though, which will be nice. I can finally stop wearing thermal undershirts and let my arms be exposed so I can start showing off a lot of my new ink.

Just went shoppin and finished up gettin my kid all her Easter basket things, it was kinda fun. Of course, Im getting fucked again and she wont be here Sunday, so Im not gonna give her her basket until sometime next week when they get back home. The ex has a lot of messy details concerning her Dad's death she has to start pounding out and that will start this weekend when she gets certified as the only executor of his will. Everything, almost everything is going to her and Ava anyways. The meth head sister isnt gettin shit, which I think is best. Shes handling his passing pretty well, head on her shoulders, rationale and so on.....

Yeah, its one of those cuddle up somewhere in a corner of the house and start a good book, except I dont have anything new to read. There are a couple Biographies and auto biographies about the life and times of Johnny Cash I wouldnt mind gettin into. I know the library nearby wont have them, so Ill have to shell out the 25, 30 dollars a piece for them, which right now I cant do. Fucking student loans are killing me right now in a bad bad way!

Hows the weather there? Does it suck like it does here? What cha gonna do for Easter?---

The Offmen Archive 03-18-08

Offmen (and Rick) in Memphis, breakfast before Graceland?

Gotta love Mondays!!!

---Well, its wet and gloomy today just as the weather people had projected it to be. I like these days once in a while, but after having a winter like we did where the days were clouded up by snowfall, I want the sun to shine upon my face.

Im really worried, well, OK, not worried per say, but just generally concerned that my ex is gonna bottle all the feeling of her Dad's death up inside and its gonna get messy. She cant be doing that with our daughter running around her house. Its just not a good idea. Ive bugged the hell outta her about it and so far its working. I mean hell, I was in her shoes just a few months ago and yeah, its sucks...bad. But I told her, like I have done, you gotta work through those emotions. Shes gonna deal with anger, confusion, pain and so much more. She needs a good cry, but it may be too early for that.

So, Mike Ness is playing 2 solo dates, one in May (I think) and one in July and I cant figure out why, prolly just for fun. They are in the studio right now working on the next album, that I have been told. That makes me super excited, even though I already have 5 of their new songs that I somehow managed to have land in my lap, I still cant wait to hear them as part of the full record.

Mondays suck.

Gosh, I wish I wasnt still in love with my ex.---

yeah yeah and blah de blah...

---Got to see the kid for the 1st time since they returned home since the sadness that was their last week. She hadnt changed obviously, she just talked about "Grampa" a bit, like she did right after Den died. It was rough, made me miss Den in a lot of ways, but I didnt wanna break down in front of the little one, she had seen plenty of that last week.

It all makes me wanna listen to a lot of acoustic music, just raw stuff.

Ive fallen in love with Mr. Brian Setzer again by the way. Just him. Not him and his silly little orchestra, just him, the man. Ive been scouring the web for rare recordings half the night and have landed a few. Good Lord can that SOB play the guitar, he has to fall within the top 3-5 "Rockabilly" guitarists of all time.

Our week here looks to start out with rain and I guess lots of it. Well, only rain on Monday but its supposed to rain all damn day, but hell anything beats the white stuff at this point in time. Im ready for Spring. Im actually looking forward to going out and buying some bird feeders and plants for the place! I should do that 1st thing next month before all the good shit ends up all sold out. Listen to me, all domesticated sounding, Im a dork!

This junk concerning Obama's former Pastor has been interesting, at least they've been able to dig up something negative on the son of a bitch, gosh for a while, he was seeming untouchable! I am still not certain he will get the nomination, the Clinton machine is a tough to beat setup. Right now, Im honestly comfortable w/ McCain to be honest with you. At least the man is old school and seems to have a set of rocks in his pants.

So, I know PJB has done a great job of "checking in" and updating us on his life and even more so has left feedback to other posts, but Ima missin Scott quite a bit now. Im not even gonna bring up anyone else anymore, theres no use, this blog, for as far as I can see, has become a 3 man deal. I will say one more thing though, I miss Martins words quite a bit. I do APPRECIATE THE SHIT outta you 2 though and thats the truth!!!!!!

OK, your turn, weekly update guys!!! Love you ALL---

I tunes

So tiff got me an I tunes gift card.
Sort of a cute "Thank You Gift" for being super hubby.....
I downloaded "Free Shit" a Naked Raygun Show from 2001 in Chicago.
It pretty much kicks ass.
I know, Tippy, you don't listen to much punk any more.
But I still like a little Anger tune-age every now and again...

just thought I'd share.

XOXO


Any one else get any new tracks?

So its Friday

---And how many of you honestly give a rats ass? Remember when there was a time when Friday nights were so important to us? Man, that was ages ago. Even Saturday nights! Hell, if Im in bed by 10 or 11 on a Sat. night, Im happy now, you know? Can ya relate to that?

I just saw my first Robin of the season in the backyard, totally cheered me up and make me realize Spring is all but here! I cant wait to go out and get bird feeders and a nice bird bath. Im even gonna get a hummingbird feeder too! I dont know if they venture about this area, but people have claimed to have seen them around, so Im gonna give it a go. Ive never seen one feed before and Id really like that.

How is everyone? Scotto? PJB, hows the biz? Thanks for your kind words yesterday Scott, I appreciated it.

Where the hell is my Martin, I miss the shit outta him!!!

Well, my ex held "the viewing" for her Dad last night, guess all went well. Today they were having a private family ceremony before cremation, then they decided to hold onto the urn for a while because technically, the ground is still frozen and it costs more to open it up, so they will wait on burial of his ashes for a little bit. Practical? Yes Weird? Um, yes, that too!

They will be home sometime tomorrow and I have so missed them, I will go to see them either tomorrow or Sunday, that you can bet on. I miss my baby girl, hell both my baby girls'.

Like an asshead, I totally forgot about my meds. dr. appt. today. It was scheduled for noon and at like 1235 I looked at my Mom and was like "Did I forget something to do today" and I was all "OH SHIT!" So, it got rescheduled for the 24th. It just makes ya feel a little dumb when you cheese off something that you do once a month every month and it is something Ive been doing for almost 3 years now too. Im dumb sometimes.

Any big Springtime weekend plans? Ill either end up at the ex's shop tomorrow after if she heads down there which I think she will, or Ill just be sittin here cataloging my SD bootleg collection some more. Then if I dont see them tomorrow, Sunday, Ill be with the ex and the kid during the day for some family time.

Please get back at me if you find the time...whats your weekend consist of? And how have you all been doing?

Final note, I just found a copy of Setzer playing the song Sleepwalk all alone, its just him and his guitar and GOOD LORD, it makes me wanna weep, its that damn good!!!---

---Heres the cut and paste link for the Setzer segment if you'd like. I HIGHLY recommend it!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=B9oHghXKh0E ---

Thursday starts off crazy!!!!

---I was awoken this morning at 545 by rushing my Mom to the ER. She has a nasty, real fucking nasty case of the flu. All the symptoms are there, fevers, chills, tummy troubles, all of it. I just got back not to long ago from picking up her special cough medicine and pills. Shes gonna be bed ridden for quite a few days. We were stuck in the ER for like 5 hours too, damn are they ever slow. I had enough time to go to my therapy appt. (in the same building) and make it back just as they were checking my Mom out. Shes in bed now.

Today is the visitation for my EX Father in law. I was gonna send flowers but I thought it'd be too weird so I passed.

The weather here is beautiful, about 55 and sunny, should be that way tomorrow too. I cant wait until we get our patio set so we can all sit out there on summer evenings enjoying the perfect weather. I wanna get a fire pit, but the City of Des Moines made them illegal so its a no go there. Stupid fire codes!

I just learned last night that Social D. is all but in the studio starting pre-production on the new album which would mean we should see it by this summer! YAY!

My ex should be returning to town either sometime later tomorrow or early Sat. which means kid time soon which will be great cuz neither myself nor the kid are ill this time

Talk sonn misters---