It's been way too long since the last post

And I apologise for the delay. I forgot my password and blew it off for a long time, but now with the new format, I can sign in with my Gmail ID and all is right with the universe (for the time being, anyway.)

A shout out to The Godfather of Soul, James Brown, RIP, man. You were too cool for school. An interesting Gerald Ford aside; when the whole Patty Hearst/Squeaky Fromme/Manson Family thing was going on, I was growing up in Sacramento. One of the Manson Family hits was at the Crocker Bank in Carmichael, CA, less than a mile from where I grew up. That place was like an abandoned goldmine for the longest time, no one would rent the space or revitalize it, either. Myrna Lee Opsal was killed there, and apparently justice was served later when Sara Jane Olsen came out of the woodwork and confessed to the crime a few years ago. Strange days, indeed.

Anyhoo, so much has happened lately that I don't even know where to begin. Let's start with awesome shows I have had the privilege of attending recently. Flipper with Krist Novocelic, on bass and out of retirement! My new favorite band Triclops at the El Rio last week and again last night at the Bottom of the Hill, one of my all-time favorite venues ever. Ramona Downey, the booker/bartender, always makes you feel right at home, no matter how long it's been since your last visit

Hooked up with some old friends, would love to post pix, but I got slammed in the pit and my digicam fell apart, rendering its battery and recording chip helpless to the onslaught of feet and fists. Fortunately contentious souls helped retrieve said accouterments, but they were destroyed in the process. Alas, the digital era of the site is temporarily discontinued until further notice.

Now my cat has established residence on my lap, which makes typing all the more special. Poor kitty, I've been gone for four days, she thinks I'll be gone forever, which is pretty much the case. Poor thing can't figure out how to use the cat door to save her life. I tried my best, outdoor cat life isn't the worst ever, is it? As long as the neighbor's kids feed you once a day, you're golden.

Here's some random pix to tide you over, Later, Tom.