Road Maps and Bra Straps

Ok so as you can tell this blog hasn't been the highest priority on my list of things to do. I type this as if anyones reading this. One day, it will happen. But do I even care? Note to self -- stop rambling!

I think I'm starting to pick up an addiction to coffee. I never used to be much of a coffee drinker but lately I've been swallowing gallon after gallon like some cranked up Everquest addict. Must not sleep, must get to next level. But being that I don't eat much more then a snack size bag of cheetos during the day, the caffeine as been leaving me completely wired at work. And my want for interaction growing as well. So much that I'm sure I'm annoying the hell out of everyone on the Man Without Ties message board. Oh well, one day they'll understand. Bored and hopped up on caffeine makes for so many more comments. And for those of you in Minneapolis, may I post a picture of my favorite coffee shop, Bob's Java Hut. Ok bad picture and its since been repainted, but go there, check it out NOW!



So there is a reason the title of this post is what it is. The most exciting thing I did in the last two months is a week and a half long road trip. I drove from Minneapolis out to Seattle, all 29 hours of it. My friend Amanda from San Francisco met me there and we stayed with another friend of mine, Amanda's cousin Ryan. The first night was spent hanging out hitting bars and followed by wine and oreos in Ryan's apartment. Not usually much of a wine person but I'm getting used to it. The second day we walked the entire city of Seattle and it was beautiful out. That night was Paul Westerberg show #1 for me on this trip at the Showbox Showroom. Ok venue, I was pretty close to the front of the stage and it was an amazing rocking show. So tight and the band sounded awesome. Michael Bland is a monster on the drums. And despite the guitarist (Kevin Bowe) constantly looking like he was going to cry, he was great as well. Jim Boquist on bass what more could you ask for? During "I Will Dare" Paul had a cigarette in his mouth and dropped it when trying to sing. He got down on the stage and picked the cig up with his mouth without missing a note on his guitar. He rolled over pulled the mic stand down with his legs and was able to sing and play from the stage floor. A roadie later came and held the mic stand for him, but damn what a rock star! Or should I say Folk star? He also said he hates "I Will Dare" but I'm thinking he's more just tired of it.

While I was at the show Amanda and Ryan had decided to go on a quest to find Midget porn. None of us had ever witnessed such a phenomenon and they decided that it was time to change that. I am forever damaged by the image of Joey "the dude" with a dildo in his ass. Yeah don't watch it, you'll never be the same.

From Seattle Amanda and I drove to Portland. We stayed with her friend Zach, had some really good Irish food at a place called Kell's. I left them for Paul Westerberg show #2. Another amazing show but the crowd in Portland acted like they were at a damn tennis match. I think I was the only one shaking my hips and rocking out to the music. What the fuck Portland? Is this the land of no rhythm, DANCE MOTHERFUCKERS DANCE! After the show I met up with very drunk Amanda and Zach at the Ash St Saloon or something like that. I continued to drink with them never really catching up to their full stature but a good time was definitely had.

From there Amanda and I drove to San Francisco. That would be a 9 hour drive. Good thing I like to drive. The only problem I had with driving with Amanda, who is my dearest friend, we are into different music. She doesn't know the Replacements and kept asking who are you going to see, Paul Westerfield? Oh I don't know that she'll ever understand. And while I was aching to play the Damaged cd by Black Flag she put in a mix cd consisting of Stroke 9, Better than Ezra and Sublime. My ears were aching when the track went from Caress me down to Good Day by Luce (in my opinion one of the worst songs written, they should die by falling down an elevator shaft with the people from Len). But other than that music choice, Amanda is an amazing person and it could be worse. She could be into Toby Keith or new shit country like that. First night in San Fran was spent hanging out relaxing after the 9 hour drive and checking out the closing of Amanda's friend's family's (cousins, brothers uncles stepfathers best friends neighbors) Chinese restaurant. I've been to San Fran a number of times to see Amanda so this was not a sight seeing trip. Day two we drove to Santa Clara for a little hiking before the rain kicked in. That night Paul Westerberg show #3 and yes I did drag Amanda with me. She was very impressed with how much fun the band seemed to have on stage and yes did pick out songs she liked. After he smashed his guitar on his amp he said he split his fucking head open. Low and behold theres blood running down the side of his head. This was during the last song of the set. Amanda proceeded to tell me that she didn't think he was coming back out due to bleeding from the head. Much to her surprise he did two rocking encores, again proving that he is a ROCK STAR!!! Amanda was impressed.

In the morning after a delicious crepe breakfast I made my way to LA. A short 5 hour jaunt. This would be for Westerberg shows #4 and #5. While I'm not a huge fan of LA/Hollywood I'll say I had a great time and met some really cool people. The Budget Inn on Sunset that I stayed in was built for prostitution. The room was complete with one of the firmest beds I've ever slept on, a huge mirror behind the bed and free porn!!!

Shows were amazing with appearances by Lucinda Williams and even a rockin cover of I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend, one of my most favorite Ramones songs. I also attended the taping of the Late Late Show that Paul was on. It was a great weekend. But after show #5, otherwise known as LA2, I did wait by the bus to try and get my ticket stubs autographed. I had no idea what to say to the guy that wouldn't make me sound like a fricken idiot. So when it came to be my time in line I shook his hand and did this sort of uhhhh... I don't know what to say. I s aid this tour inspired a great road trip for me. His eyes widened when I told him I was from Mpls and had gone to the Seattle, Portland, San Fran and LA shows. He asked "why did you come so far?" I thought are you kidding me, because I think you're an amazing musician and I wish I could see all your shows. But I didn't say that. I took the cooler than that (which I'm not) approach and said how I had friends in all the cities and it was an added bonus that I could see his shows too. Oh he said some added fun. He signed my ticket stubs and we both kind of leaned in for a hug but I stuck out my hand, shook his, said THANK YOU VERY MUCH and turned and walked away. Not my most graceful moment but I did ok. The guy before me in line told Paul how he had to his coat and school books to buy his ticket and Paul went in the bus and brought him out a leather jacket. The guy asked PW if he was sure because it was a really nice jacket and Paul said well its a $300 jacket but you're what matters (not word for word but something that effect) he said just check the pockets, and sure enough there was a jock strap in one pocket, pretty funny.

I then left for a 29 hour drive back. The mormon dodging drive through Utah was actually quite beautiful. I made it the whole way without my car breaking down and for a 95 Buick, I was proud of her.

Now with Westerberg still on tour I'm making plans for a road trip with other Westerberg fans to hit Milwaukee and Chicago. Should be a great time. This band is on fire so anyone getting a chance to see the tour should do exactly that.