Damn, It's Hot

Another hot day here in NYC. And there are expecting the heat wave to continue for another week at least. Temps in the mid to upper 90's with the possibility of triple digits some days. And the usual thunderstorm activity. This summer has just been brutal. Was trying to work out in the yard today but had to cut it short due to the heat. I made sure I was hydrated but I got this headache about 2 hours in. So tomorrow, after the morning workout I'll get started early before the midday heat arrives. Luckily it's not something where I'll make a lot of noise so I won't wake the neighbors.

I got a little bit of guitar playing in today while cooling down. And a little bit of writing, which I seem to be doing more of and enjoying that. Now if I can just put the two of them together that would be golden. Hey, I can dream, can't I?

Melissa Etheridge

I wouldn't say that I've been a real fan of hers over the years. I've heard some of her songs and they're good songs, well written and sung. But one night I was hanging with Linda talking about music, a wide variety of music, and she started talking about Melissa. About how the music and lyrics reached her, had meaning for her, touched her. And she talked about how great a live performer she was and how good her concerts were, and there was a great passion in what Linda was saying. So I told her the next time she was going to one of her shows I wanted to go. I had that opportunity last night.

And Linda was right. What a great show. She went through her catalog of songs, some of which I knew and some I didn't but do now. She played for over two and a half hours and she gives it her all. Damn, this woman rocks hard!! And she has a great band, guitar bass and drums with Melissa on acoustic 12 string for most songs. And it wasn't Melissa and a backing band. It was all four together bringing her songs to life, great performances by all the players. I couldn't help but think that under normal circumstances this would have been a show I probably would have bypassed and how I was really glad I didn't.

I'm a fan now.

Catching Up

Someone pointed out that I hadn't made an entry here lately. That's like asking for trouble.

Received a couple of letters from Chris and he seems to be doing well. He's made it through the gas mask training and got to repel down a 50 foot wall. As I write this he is camped out in the woods in Missouri for a few days with only a map and a compass. He used to get around NYC pretty good on his own so this should be no problem. Graduation is set for October 13th. I better start saving.

The other two boys, Sean and Scott, are enjoying another summer with their grandparents on the east end of Long Island. They've been going to the beach and playing a lot of golf. So much golf they keep calling me up and challenging me to come play them. So I'll be going out there next weekend to take up the challenge. They have a good chance this year as I haven't even looked at my clubs this year (now I'm wondering where they are). I guess I'll be spending a few evenings at the driving range this week.

I took a trip to see my friend Jenn up in Canada. She's a super nice person and I had a great time there, it was great to finally meet her. I hope I can go back again and see more of where she lives. It looks like a really nice place. Hopefully one day she can come visit me in NYC, I'd love to show her around.

Tomorrow night I'm going to see Melissa Etheridge at Madison Square Garden with some female friends (they're all straight and not single). I was thinking of gettting a T-shirt made saying "I'm straight, I'm just out with the girls" or "I'm a vagaterian too" on the off chance there is a single, straight woman somwhere in the sea of lesbians that I'll be in. Not that I have anything against lesbians; I could probably watch a couple of hot ones all night.

OK, so that catches anyone who cares up to date with me. I'll try to keep up with this more often.

Letters From the Front 2

Another letter from Chris. It's hot in Missouri. And humid. And he's bitching about it. He hasn't started his basic yet, but his "real" drill sargeants have arrived. I guess they gave him the "drill sargeant lite" version earlier because now he's getting his ass kicked. His group has been getting smoked - army lingo for "you F'd up, drop and give me twenty". Seems he's been doing a lot of pushups. And when one of them screws up they all have to pay. Graduation has been pushed back to October but that could change too. I have to write him back later on. I don't think he'll be calling any time soon.

I went and had new glasses made today. It's amazing what the world looks like without the fuzzy edges. I'm not sure if this is a good thing yet.