Keller Williams, the WMD'S, Nelson Ledges 08/17

show was announced recently, apparently a show scheduled for dayton was moved north. when we saw keller as part of the gratefulfest two weeks ago, we got the lowdown -- two sets with the wmds on a wednesday night in september. it was a given.

headed up to garrettsville with lou for the show, about five miles from where i went to college. got there at about five for an eight show, set up the tent, met up with mr. johnson and hmfc. walked over to the stage, wandering about where no more than twenty wannabe hipsters. this was looking good. as sissie showed up, i could count all of the people there for the show using piano keys.

the show started at eight on the dot. lins and i lingered about ten feet from the stage for about three minutes, we lurched forward at the first sign of someone stepping in front of our invisible horizontal. that is where we stayed for the first hour and a half, the first set. took a bluegrass acoustic sideline for about four songs. a brilliant set. mr. stage-hand gave me the setlist for the first set, which varies only slightly from what was actually played.

looked behind us, about two hundred or so kids now. sat up by the stage for the set break. second set started and it was truly amazing. keller was hilarious, cracking the band up, and gibb droll was on fire. another hour and a half, including the encore.

highlights below:

kiwi and the apricot, first set. i love this beautiful love song.

bob rules, with a high time center piece, first set. instead of the normal dream sequence for the price is right backstage, keller decides to take the 84 corvette with the t-tops for a ride down the 5, rockets off into space, runs into a tie-dyed space pod that held none other than jerry garcia, and jam it out before getting back to bob.

brave captain, first set.

keller called it poser bluegrass, i loved the four song piece featuring mandolin, banjo, and porta pottie, first set.

pepper, second set. a true crowd sing-a-long to that song from my youth.

gallivanting, second set. a jazzy song to learn your keys by. keller did a few riffs from other songs to keep it going for a bit. my favorite is the G, the "people's key."

once in a lifetime, second set. you've got me going with any talking heads song, for all of those that wish to serenade me.

breathe -> temple -> breathe, encore. the song breathe is just beautiful with a band, but the true highlight was the nepalese temple balls. although i know nothing about hash, i do love that song...

Movie Review: The Karate Kid, Part II

well, this movie has it all.

daniel-son and mr. miyagi take a trip to okinawa. in the 1986 movie, we are treated to the following:

mr. miyagi's father sees his son for the first time in a zillion years
mr. miyagi falls in love again with his former flame
daniel falls in love with some other chick (what about elisabeth shue?)
mr. miyagi's father dies
the karate kid dances to 1950's american music
mr. miyagi's former-best-friend-turned-sworn-enemy-for-life appears, creating a central movie theme (the true meaning of courage)
mr. miyagi's former-best-friend-turned-sworn-enemy-for-life finally understands the true meaning of courage, and thus makes up with mr. miyagi
the karate kid wins an ice-breaking contest
and, of course, the karate kid wins a big fight at the end of the movie.

although i am leaving out the knife-fights, the importance of dance in a young girl's dreams, tea ceremonies, etc. etc. etc., this movie was truly worthy of its spot on AMC - American Movies Classic, right beside tonight's classic, Two Weeks Notice.

decompression

well, i have been back in the great old U-S-of-A for ten days now. along with the requisite family drama, i have been filling my days back with ridiculous nonsense, including cleaning the bathtub and impromptu welcome back parties. it will work, for now, but i am feeling the feeling coming on. all the renewed newness will fade in about a week or so, and i will really start to hit a wall.
best vacation evs. for the following reasons.
-could travel the city by myself for a bit, forcing myself to become accustomed
-being touristy when necessary, and sometimes when unnecessary
-olympics wasting a ton of my time (love that adorable little aussie diver! had enough of stephanie rice)
-all of the "endless meaningless stupid fun" with my bff
hope the wall isn't too hard this time.