In reflection

Interesting weekend - well last weekend since this weekend isn't here yet and I've been too lazy to update the old blog this week.

Went to a good friend's wedding reception last weekend. Strange this sort of thing occurs in the middle of SK's lovey dovey blogging recently.

Other than the fact it was strange this particular reception was right around what would have been my anniversary and it really wasn't nearly as hard for me as I thought it might have been (I guess that's good, right?), it did make me reflect somewhat.

They actually had their wedding at a resort in Colorado with just close friends and family. Man - the pictures were amazing. It got me thinking how wonderful it would be to have a group of close friends who would love to share that kind of experience with me. Think about it - six friends and spouses who would pay to spend a few days with you at a place that couldn't have been cheap. Obviously, I have a great family and they would certainly not have a problem with that sort of thing at all...

So, considering I'm a hell of a lot closer to 40 than not I realized I will most likely never have that sort of a circle of friends. While that does make me somewhat sad, when you compare it to the "troubles" of a lot of people out there in the world it really isn't that big of a deal, right?

I have so much to be happy about and even though my little "transition" period is going on two years now I certainly am not crying myself to sleep every night or anything.

Just something to make me sit back and think. I'm so happy for them. Hope it all works out!

As for Churchy things - Deep In The Shallows came this past weekend!

Funny thing eek, I did the same thing. Put the CDs in my player and haven't really listened to it yet but I have read the booklet and looked at the pictures. I also ordered one of my copies with the t-shirt (even though I already had one of those shirts) to give me a much better chance of all of the CDs arriving in unbroken cases! It worked! All present and accounted for and unbroken. Sometimes I do get lucky!

I have made it through the Seance songs. It's so great to hear some of these songs in a different order. It gives them somewhat of a different life to me. I had heard all of the different versions before except for the edit of When You Were Mine. Interesting to say the least - it almost sound like a different take to me but I only listened to it once so I'll reserve further judgement.

If anyone is on the fence about getting Deep In The Shallows I highly recommend it! Great liner notes and absolutely wonderful pictures!

I had always though David Fricke was kind of an idiot - especially from his appearances on some of the VH1 Classic Albums shows - but after reading his praise of The Church I will forever give him all benefit of the doubt!

Has it been a week already?

Sonofabitch. I was going to start being better about updating this thing and I thought I was doing a good job. Now I look and it will be a week tomorrow.

How can day to day life be so slow and boring but the blogsphere can see a week pass by in the blink of an eye? It's not like I'm not on this damn website every day checking SK and other blogs (indraeek, etc.). Oh well. Maybe this is the start of a good run...

One nice thing lately is the interaction of my cats. I had read a while back that cats who know each other sniff each others' noses whenever they meet each other. My two cats have been together for close to three years and they were still sniffing each others' butts. Well, in the past couple of weeks they have started sniffing noses! Maybe they are starting to get into the groove of this whole thing. Granted, they both have been fixed (at least they don't have to worry about any Australian football injuries - ha!) but I've still wondered if there would be any territorial issues with them since they are both tomcats. So far so good...

Of course, everybody knows by now there is no Church U.S. tour this fall. Oh well. I guess on the bright side it saves me some money and some vacation - but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't totally bummed. I'll certainly hold out hope they will do something next year. They're too damn good to give the U.S. one last fantastic electric send-off before they decide to stop touring internationally (whatever "internationally" means for a band like The Church).

Oh well - no package from Churchmerch today. I can't wait to give Deep In The Shallows a spin.

Take care all...

Looking for something to remind me

Well today was going to be the day I got back into the swing of things...

But, alas, I'm way too tired to attempt anything remotely constructive (damn sleepless night last night).

Oh well, there's always tomorrow!

One funny thing today - in dealing with some legal crap I had an email addressing me as Mister.
I still think it sounds weird to have anybody calling me Mister. I guess I should be used to it but I sure as hell don't think I'm old enough (or responsible enough) yet for anybody to be calling me by any sort of formal title!

2000 long years and they're all leading up to tonight

Well, well, well. Look who is back.

Sorry - no excuses for vanishing for the past month. It was just one of those months.

Have you ever gone through a phase where you really didn't feel like doing anything that requires any thought or energy? Well - that is where I have been (I think).

Kind of got out of the whole blog thing. Still checked SK's blog religiously. I am so addicted to that it's ridiculous. (I also try to check every day from multiple computers to boost his ratings but I'd hate to admit to cheating. Ha.).

S0 who knows where the past month has gone. I'm certainly the one to blame. Part of it is probably spending too much time shopping (CDs, etc.) on the Internet. Too much time and too much money. Maybe I should return to blogging to help save money!

It is certainly nice to hear about the new solo projects from Steve. It's also great to see his new art. The new SK art is always tempting. I should put a few more pennies aside a bit more often into my SK art fund!

If anybody is interested in his art I can certainly attest to the whole thing being a wonderful experience. The art is so much more vibrant in person and dealing with Holly is nothing but a pleasant experience.

Is everybody else as bummed as I am the US tour looks like it is off? Man that sucks - especially for me since I had plans to see them in Europe this spring but had to call everything off because of our wonderful government being late in getting me my passport. It was a lot easier for me to take since I "knew" they would tour the US this fall but now that looks like it is not going to happen. To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if they only tour Australia from here on out. I have no idea how much it costs for them to do the US or Europe but it certainly has to be a lot more than Australia since Marty is the only one they have to import!

We'll see. If they just tour Australia I guess I'll have to head way south someday. I have to go there sometime in my life, right? I can't think of a better reason to head to Australia than to see The Church!

I placed my dutiful order for multiple copies of Deep In The Shallows. I'm certainly interested in hearing some of the different versions/edits/mixes of the songs. I'm sure I've heard them all but it will be nice to have them all collected in one nice place. Sue C is right - buy some as gifts for family/friends! Great music in a great package - can't be beat!

Take care - I promise I won't be gone for another month.

And they say I choose a dream...

Ah, Summer is here. Pushing 100 degrees here today. Feels nice when you step out of the over-air-conditioned workplaces, shops, restaurants, etc.

I can't believe I haven't updated my blog in nearly a week. I guess it's because I've been so busy lately. I've actually had a somewhat full social calendar believe it or not. I'll go weeks with absolutely nothing on my agenda and then lo and behold I'll have stuff with friends three or four nights in a week. I can't complain - it's nice to be out and about for a change.

So what is new with Snowfaller? Nothing - ha!

How is that for a waste of time blog? I promise the next one will have some substance!

Holy crap!

SK says he is working on his new solo album and in today's blog he mentioned it will have Mellotron and radiotronics...

Are you fucking kidding me?

I can't tell you how big of a fan I am of the Mellotron. I would kill to have one! Well - not actually kill since I'm the nonviolent type, but I really would love to have one.

I know they started making newer ones but they are still so damn expensive there's no way I would ever really get one...

Well - all I can say is I can't wait to hear this album.

I'm a big fan of SK's solo work. I know it's hit and miss for some. I always get a kick out of seeing other people comment (on SKs' blog, on Seance, or on Hotel Womb) about how they love something I really don't like as much or how they hate something I love. I guess it just goes to show how diverse The Church loving crowd is.

Of course, when it comes to The Church (and solo work) the degrees of love and hate are certainly skewed. Other than a few tracks here and there, the worst Church and solo output is still better than just about anything. There are still very very few songs on any of their releases I even infrequently skip.

Dabble is a good example. Lots of people say it's weaker than his other stuff, but I absolutely love it. Maybe it's the live drums but I think those songs are fantastic! I really love that album!

(In my panic of talking to SK at Logan I never even thought about telling him how much I enjoyed Dabble) :-)

Oh well. I'm sure on Church time SK's solo album will probably come out next spring or summer... but I'll still be loading up my Karmic Hit shopping cart whenever it is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How time flies...

Wow - can't believe I haven't done this since May 16. Of course - nobody is reading so it really doesn't matter, right?

Let's see. Saw Ben Gibbard solo acoustic. Fantastic. Definitely one of the best American songwriters out there right now.

Saw Interpol Thursday night. Same old schtick but you have to admit they are damn good at what they do. I have to admit I absolutely love them...

I get a kick out of SK's blogs that list fans. I know I'll never be in the list. I'm one of those quite anonymous fans. Even though I own three of his paintings, buy every release from KH, and buy at least 3 copies of all Church releases (including solo efforts) Steve wouldn't know me from Adam.

Oh well, I can't say that I blame him. I've only met him once and it was one of the most terrifying and rewarding moments of my life.

I've met MWP twice and to tell you the truth he was a prick both times. Once again, I don't hold it against him. How would you feel if everywhere you went stupid drunkish idiots were always telling you how much they love you!!!

I've met PK once and he is the nicest most gentlemanly person on the face of this earth. Peter is fucking awesome.

Briefly met Tim and he was quite nice as well.

I travelled to Boston for the end of the After Everything tour and had a ticket to the meet and greet after the show. No way I would have even approached SK there. Man - you could tell he wasn't there.

Then, the next morning, while returning my rental car at Logan before my flight home...

Guess who was right behind me in their van - Steve Kilbey and Tim Powles.

I just had to approach the man. As shy and introverted as I am - I knew this was one time I absolutely had to do something or I would regret it the rest of my life.

I went up to him and said I just wanted to tell him I really enjoyed the show last night.

Then, much to my surprise, he engaged me in a really brief but nice and memorable conversation. He really is a wonderful man. I know he fights demons (like we all do) and I would probably get sick of fans if I had thousands of them all over the world bombarding me all the time so I can't blame him.

Anyway, that's my story of my one meeting with SK. One of the highlights of my life!

I hear there are rumors of a SK art exhibition in Atlanta (allegedly after the U.S. fall tour).

Believe me - I'll be there if it really happens...