Monday, October 02, 2006

Many happy returns. Or at least one happy return. The other one is doing alright too. And also: the continuing saga of absent bears

It has come to my attention that neither Haribo nor Black Forest made the gummi bears that I was craving all tour. After some diligent internetting, I notice neither bag is the brand which I'm fixated on. Wikipedia, alas, has failed me. Google gives me too much information on that mid-80's cartoon with the wonderful theme song and horrific plotting and not enough on the ins, outs, and what have yous of the gummiverse. So for now, I stagger through the darkness, gummi-less, moderately depressed.

But why focus on the bad? Plenty of delicious things go the way of the gummi dinosaur, plenty quality TV shows go the way of Dinosaurs; good things come and go while Mountain Dew is here to stay. It's the way of the world. I'm accepting it. I'm moving on. I'm talking about Friday.

See, Friday was fantastic. We had the pleasure of playing to a Slim's packed with faces old and new, with two of our favorite bands on the planet, back in a hometown we missed sorely. It was like a family reunion, albeit one that leaves you with tinnitus and a swollen knee. Thanks to everyone that came, said hi, danced, sang, heckled, stabbed, soft-shoed, drank, and anything remotely similar to the aforementioned verbs of enjoyment. Just a complete joy to be back. And thanks to Division Day for soldiering onwards, through broken glasses, transmissions, and, perhaps, spirits, to play one of the best sets I've ever seen them play. Which is truly saying something since I'm one of the world's foremost experts on Division Day. After all, we've done three week-plus tours with them, shows here and there not involved in a greater migratory pattern, own all three of their CDs (including the embarrassing one), and can even sing you the Elliott Smith ditty for which they're named. I know Rohner's blood type (B positive), Seb's shoe size (eight and a half), and the name of Kevin's barber (Blind Joe McGruggin). Two Seconds, also: Bravo. Proud we could be a part of your CD release, even though the printing press you used shat the bed on your font. (That's why we use Pirate's Press. Not only have we never had a problem, but most of them have eyepatches and a degenerative gum disease.) Arial be damned; y'all were great.

It also seems pertinent to divulge the fact that, yes, once again, I've returned to work. A gigantic, expensive van, an illegitimately inflated cell phone bill, and other usurious demands have forced yet another return to the ol' nine to five. But it's not too bad. I'm two hours in and have retained a large portion of my sanity. I sort of forgot what 7:30 in the morning feels like (not so good, by the way), but I can get back into this. And hey, I really don't mind sitting at a computer. I can check email, do this here blog, and---wait. I recall my boss reads this. If so, hey there big guy. Hope you're feeling better. Sorry that WOXY went the way of the gummi dinosaur. We can mourn together, perhaps, over a Lone Star. I'm on hold right now with a client. I swears.

Ah, they, um, they picked up. I better get going. Until shortly.

22 comments:

Sabrina said...

Friday was a 1st for the girls & I at Slim's. Nice venue! The DJ hypnotized me into buying about 10 too many Shirley Temples.
My sister has now offically seen the Birdmonster,we've talked about you guys for almost a year now and she finally came out for a look see. Another instant fan! I'm hoping you guys will not wait so long to play another show at home. Thanks so much for the signed cymbal. We plan on buying a shadow box and displaying it in our game room. Pete & David thanks for trying to get us out of the cold early as extended family. We Love All of You Guys! Sabrina, Alex, Sydnie & Casey

birdmonster said...

Sabrina,
Really, what would a show be without you and your clan? Dissapointing, to be sure. Thanks as always. The cymbal was our pleasure. It's cut my finger many a times, so be wary. Next Bay Area shows will be later this month, one in November, and one in December, methinks. Details forthcoming. For now: thanks again.

Sabrina said...

I'll start planning another late night out then. I didn't get to bed until 4:30am. thoughts of Birdmonster and 4 mugs of bad bar coffee! next show I'll stick to the Stella Artois, a hotel and a few cabs for the clan. I'll keep checking your show listings for updates. oh and we're keeping our eyes peeled for those Gummi's.

Anonymous said...

Heide's bears are the one's you're after my friend.

birdmonster said...

See my last exasperated & thoroughly pleased comment. Heidi's indeed. Now, to find them. They seem extinct.

Anonymous said...

If you're really willing to make the trek they can be found at Sam's Club in Concord.

Anonymous said...

woxy is back!!!!

doy!

love,

Z

birdmonster said...

Hush up, dwummer. I know where you live.

Oberon said...

......the art of peace is medicine for a sick world.....morihei ueshiba.

Sabrina said...

Hobo, you're making me choke. That was a good one....

High Power Rocketry said...

: )

Tyler Sweeney said...

speaking of dinosaurs and mid 80's cartoons: Dinosaucers was the best thing to happen to television.

LITTLE MISS said...

I find Haribo gummy bears at Michael's (the craft store) and Staples!! (Bizarre, I know-- but when I go, I stock up!!)

birdmonster said...

When I procure these bears, you all shall know. Heidi & I, we're a match made in heaven.

As for Dinosaucers, I don't know the first thing about it. That's why Google exists of course. To amuse me.

GH: Welcome back from the shackles of workingday suckdom. On a related topic, Peter looks a lot like the original Karate Kid, not the Next Karate Kid who was later Alias and an Oscar winner of some kind. Poor OG Karate Kid. He's probably selling children's shoes in Delaware right now.

Sabrina said...

I guess if Peter went to one of those spray-on tan places, I can see the resemblance with the hair. Ralph Macchio was a cutie! What happened to that guy?
BTW...Birdmonster Blog is bad for work productivity.

birdmonster said...

Pity. If you were truly dedicated you'd've sent a video you made of you in weird pastel tights, twirling ribbon, balancing on one of those back-stretching balls. Then I would've exclaimed: "RALPH MACHIO'S FOREHEAD IS HU-UGE." It's moving towards a sixhead at this point.

Sabrina said...

Poor Guy! AGE it creeps up on the best of us.
GH I have one of those said balls if you need to borrow it and possibly the twirling ribbon if not an old baton.

Sabrina said...

G.H. I thought I saw that guy in the Castro last weekend?

Anonymous said...

Thoroughly enjoyed the show last Friday. I brought my woman all the way from Reno and made her a believer. She loves you guys now. Shame I missed Division Day. And David never got that drink. Ha. Ha.

Take care guys, see you next time. And yeah, Peter is a lot shorter than I thought he was.

Unknown said...

If you really want something gummi, then come tour Europe where all things gummi abound... Germany and the Netherlands are full of gummi's and they are all good. Besides, your music is great, so a treat the rest of the Western world to a few tunes. Amsterdam would love you... as would Cologne and a ton of other places.

Anonymous said...

your blog is better than the other ones --kathy, nebraska

birdmonster said...

Thanks Kathy Nebraska.