Addams Family & Scritti Politti

Friday night we had an Addams Family party at the palms to commemorate the release of the first season of the original series on DVD. I got to hand it to Devin for belief before doubt on this one. I ended up with the impression that everyone in our band and our friend group kind of buggered out on the event, thinking in the negative before jumping headlong into it, but ney, not Devin, he's of different metal and he soldiered on. In the end it was totally worthi while and super fun. I am glad he pushed and prodded where he needed to in order to get folks to co-operate. We ended up all dressed (some of us to a minimal degree) as Addams Family characters, playing a fun show to some new faces and some old.
This was the first time I got to use my brand new amp, which I've decided I'll call Lilly, for reasons of tribute to a certain older and ailing dog I know. The amp was really very nice. The palms power is very dirty and has always made my amps buzz, which annoyes me but I got over it. I had a bit of a problem dialing in the sound I was looking for, and it didn't help that about 7 other pieces of equipment were failing, all requiring my attention. I did have some moments of sublime enjoyment, particularly when I hit the bridge pick up during "mondo di corpo", there was definatly something there.
I look forward to taking some time and really feeling out what can be done. At right you will see silly me with said amp name sake. Don't cha love her madly?

Saturday Amy and I spent quality time with our friend Angie, it was good time.

Sunday Devin had invited us to go see Scritti Politti at the Roxy. I wasn't really very familiar with them at all, and I was rather tired and cranky to start the evening, but by the end of the set I was so very glad to have gone. The evening took a super turn when the woman running the "will call" counter recognized marc's voice and gave us all VIP bands, this allowed us access to a table stage side that would have otherwise cost us $150 bucks in beer and food costs. I really enjoyed the quality of musician ship and song craft. Apparently this was their first ever north american show. WOWZA!

overdrive me mad

I can't blog this week, cause I've been waiting for my new amp. It willbe here tomorrow, for various silly reasons I was under the impression that it would be here almost everyday this week. It's really taken a bite out of my state of mind. let's look at it shall we.

Preps

K, so things are moving again. Went to solar city's last night to hear the radio edit of his Slut Buffet Remix, we should have a disc of his work tonight, which can then make it's debut tonight at the palms maybe. We'll see. It's all very good though. The Slut Buffet single, the domestic version for those keeping extreme bizarre track, should be ready to go sometime in early 2007, we'll see. That will be rather good though I think, giving us some breathing room to work on Food Drinks Music with a cool new product to push to a slightly different crowd in the meantime, while hopefully satisfying the lusts of some people that might be termed fans. Should really be interesting to see what really comes out of this thing. The talk now is to do two b-sides, the Solar City Mix, and then have maybe one or two more mixes of SB, plus the album version. Wowza.
The B sides we are talking about is this new/old song that was never finished called Delay, it's been added to and will probably see a pretty serious re-tweak of the elements. I like it, think it will be pretty rad ass. Also we really want to do a new version of Mustache Rides 5 Cents, since it's never near gotten the props it deserves and it really should... People always ask if it's on FAS when we play it live and we are like, no, it's not, and you can't have the one it is on, cause it's bad, but then devin emails them the version that isn't so bad.
Last night we started recording in earnest on the single and on Food Drinks Music, starting with The Apple Falls and Legalease, also working cutting the basic backing tracks for Delay.
I hope to lay down some more stuff tonight. I would also like to wash a few clothes. Amy gets to have a massage, she needs it.
I may work on some more Pocket Pal later today/tonight but we'll see, I'm pretty busy today.

Pocket Pal 1976 - Part 8 - 3/22/76 through 5/2/1976

March 22, 1976
Monday
A very nice day in store again, got up at 6:45 feeling fine. Went down to the post office and mailed Two letters this morning. Went down to the post office again this afternoon and mailed letter also to the grocery store. Will stay home tonight and watch TV.

March 23, 1976
Tuesday
A windy Sunny day got up at 6:45 feeling great. Went down to the post office an mailed a letter for Rene came back home, Rene and I walked around the yard for a while. Will stay home tonight and watch TV, that's all.

March 24, 1976
Wednesday
A beautiful calm sunny day today. Got up at 6:45 felling great. This afternoon Rene and I went up and made Doctor's Appointment then to the Drugstore got my refill of medicine then over to the grocery store for things to eat. Sill stay home tonight and watch TV.

March 25, 1976
Thursday
A very sunny windy hot day. Got up at 6:45 feeling fine. Didn't do much today except lay around home all day long. Hung out 2 pairs of pants today. Watched some TV that's about all.

March 26, 1976
Friday
Looks like another sunny day. Got up at 6:15 feeling fine. Will leave to go to the grocery store sometime today. Rene and I went to the grocery store and got a few things and came back home and looked around the rest of the day, watched TV last night also.

March 27, 1976
Saturday
A clear sunny day it looks like. Got up at 6:30 feeling fine. Rene and I went to the library then to the store so will stay in and watch TV tonight.

March 28, 1976
Sunday
A sunny cloudy day cool day. Rene and I went to church this morning. Will stay home tonight and watch TV, that's all.

March 29, 1976
Monday - Ray Melvin's Birthday
A partly cloudy day got up at 6:00 Feeling great. Today is my 53 Birthday. Don't know what the day holds yet. Went downtown to Dr. Ca??'s and took a treatment. Also Rene and I went to grocery store. Will stay home the rest of the day and watch TV.

March 30, 1976
Tuesday
A clear sunny day got up at 6:45 feeling fine. Me and Rene went down to the library took a book back . Then to the drugstore got medicine refill for Rene. Came back home got the mail, got a shirt from the kids and cards. Stay home tonight and watch TV

March 31, 1976
Wednesday
A clear nice and sunny day again. Got up at 6:45 feeling fine. Went down to the grocery store and got a few things to eat. Me and Rene will go see Dr. ??? This afternoon then come back home and watch TV tonight. That's all dear diary.

April 1, 1976
Thursday
got up at 6:45 Feeling fine. A nice warm sunny day all day long. Rene and I went down to Dr. CA??'s office then to the hospital after her examination so once again Rene is in the hospital. Will stay in and watch TV tonight all alone.

April 2, 1976
Friday
Another bright beautiful day. I'm going up to the hospital to see Rene. Must got to the store today also. Got up at 6:45 feeling fine. Went down to the grocery store and got a dew things to eat. Took nap this afternoon also went up to the hospital and saw Rene. Stay home tonight and watch TV.

April 3, 1976
Saturday
Another beautiful day. Got up at 6:45 feeling fine. Have to go to the Bank this morning the to the store today. Also to the hospital to visit Rene then stay home tonight and watch TV.

April 4, 1975
Sunday
Another sunny nice day. Got up at 7:30 feeling fine. Rene is home from the hospital now, got released this morning. We will stay in now and watch TV tonight.

April 5, 1976
Monday
A beautiful day in store. Got up 6:15 feeling great. Have to got to Dr. Ca??'s office at 11:00 Am. Rene going down to the court house and talk to welfare office. Went down to the store this afternoon and got a few things. Will stay home tonight.

April 6, 1976
Tuesday
Got up at 7:00 this morning feeling fine. A sunny day again for us. After dinner Rene and I walked up to the Motor Vehicle Department and got Rene's driver's license then came home. Will stay home now for the rest of the day and watch TV tonight.

April 7, 1976
Wednesday
Got up at 6:45 feeling fine. A sunny partly cloudy day in the 70's. Rene and I went down to the library, took back a book. ??????? Then down to city hall and paid some on the light bill then to the grocery store and got a few things then came back home. Stay in and watch TV, that's all.

April 8, 1976
Thursday
A partly cloudy day got up at 6:00 feeling fine. Went down to the ?????'s Garage for a little while. Went down to the post office and mailed letters for Rene (several words here I can't make out??) Will stay in and watch TV tonight.

April 9, 1976
Friday
Got up at 6:30 Feeling fine. Looks like a bright sunny day today. Went down to the grocery store and got a few things to eat. Watering lawn also. Rene and I will go down to Dr. Ca??'s office (can't make this part out ends in watch TV)

April 10, 1976
Saturday
A beautiful day, got up at 6:45 feeling fine. Went down and mailed a letter. Me and Rene went to the store and got a few things, stayed home and watched TV.

April 11, 1976
Sunday
A beautiful day again. Got up at 6:00 Feeling fine. Me and Rene will go to church this morning. Will stay home tonight and watch TV.

April 12, 1976
Monday
Got up at 6:00 feeling fine. A nice sunny day. Me and Rene went to library. She canceled her appointment with Dr. R??? Then went to the store and got a few things. I went down and mailed a letter for her ???????????? Down town. Will stay in tonight and watch TV.

April 13, 1976
Tuesday
Got up at 6:00 feeling fine. A sort of cloudy day. Went down to the daylight shop and had coffee and cheese cake roll. Went and got Rene's Librex (?) refilled and had coffee again. Also went to garage for a while. Will stay home the rest of the day, watch TV.

April 14, 1976
Wednesday
A sunny windy day, got up at 5:30 feeling fine. Rene started back to work yesterday all went fine for her. Went down to the daylight shop and had coffee. Also went back knupp drugstore and had more coffee. Turned out to be a rainy day, stayed in home and watched TV while it rained.

April 15, 1976
Thursday - First day of Passover
A sunny but windy day it looks like. Got up at 5:45 feeling fine, don't know what the day holds yet. Went down town to the floral shop and got cards then had coffee at drugstore. Also went to the grocery store and got a few things to eat. Stay home and watch TV.

April 16, 1976
Friday - Good Friday
A sunny but very windy day. Got up at 5:45 feeling fine. We got an Easter Lilly from Harold and Donna Erway (?), was greatly appreciated by Rene and me. Day went pretty smooth. Stayed home and watched TV, that's all.

April 17, 1976
Saturday
A very nice warm day. Got up at 5:30 went down and had coffee and donuts at daylight donuts shop.

April 18, 1976
Sunday - Easter
Sunny and cool got up at 6:00 feeling fine. Me and Rene went to church this morning. Stayed home and watched TV at night.

April 19, 1976
Monday
Got up at 5:30 feeling fine, sunny day it looks like. Went down to the daylight donut shop and had coffee. Went down to the garage for a while, came back home. Rene and I went to grocery store. Stayed home and watched TV.

April 20, 1976
Tuesday
A cloudy rainy day today. Got up at 6:00 feeling fine. Rene got a ride to work with Pat. Looks like she has to work until 4:00 today. Went down and mailed a letter for Rene and came back and fixed dinner. Will stay home tonight and watch TV.

April 21, 1976
Wednesday
A nice bright sunny day, got up at 6:00 feeling great. Walked Rene to and from work today. Also went down to (Cad of Olds???) Garage for a while. Me and Rene will go to the store this afternoon and get a few things. Will stay home tonight and watch TV. That's all for today.

April 22, 1976
Thursday
A bright sunny day today got up at 10 till 6:00, feeling fine. Walked Rene to work this morning. Went down to the garage for a while, came back home and messed around. Will stay home tonight and watch TV.

April 23, 1976
Friday
A bright clear sunny day, got up at 10 till 6:00 feeling fine. Will walk Rene to work again this morning. Went to the grocery store and got a few things, came back home and fixed dinner. Also went to library to back book. Will stay home tonight and watch TV.

April 24, 1976
Saturday
A sunny but cool say, got up at 10 till 6:00 feeling fine. Me and Rene went to town the to grocery store and got a few things to eat. Stayed home and watched TV.

April 25, 1976
Sunday - Daylight saving time begins
A cloudy cool day, got up at 10 till 7:00, feeling fine. Went down to Holiday home for Sunday school. Rene had work to do. Will stay home tonight and watch TV.

April 26, 1976
Monday
A cloudy cool day in store, got up at 10 till 7:00 feeling fine. Walked Rene to work this morning. Have to go and see Dr. Ruiz at 3:30 then come back home then me and Rene have to go to the grocery store then will stay home and watch TV.

April 27, 1976
Tuesday
A cloudy rainy day it looks like, got up at 20 till 7:00, feeling fine. Walked Rene to work then came back home. Went to the drug store and got my refill of halidol, then came back home. Will stay home and watch TV the rest of the night.

April 28, 1976
Wednesday
A cloudy drizzley day again. Got up at 20 till 7:00 feeling great. Walked Rene to work, also went to the grocery store, then came back home. Also went to the drug store and had coffee and came back home and fixed dinner. Rene and I went down to the church last night and saw a film, it was good.

April 29, 1976
Thursday
Another cloudy day again. Got up at 20 till 7:00, feeling fine. Walked Rene to work then came back home. Rene and me will go to the grocery store and get a few things to eat, then come back home and stay in and watch TV the rest of the day.

April 30, 1976
Friday
A cloudy rainy day, then turned into sunshine in late afternoon. Got up at 7:00 feeling fine. Rene and I went down to court house also to the library, then came back home. Will stay in tonight and watch TV.

May 1, 1976
Saturday
A sunny day in store, got up at 6:00 Feeling fine. Went down to the grocery store and got a few things. Will stay home tonight and watch TV.

May 2, 1976
Sunday
A sunny windy day got up at 6:30, feeling fine. Walked Rene to work. Also went to Sunday school, also went to church this morning. Will stay home tonight and watch TV.

Jesus God, can this be real?

Wow. Okay. I'm going to Tahiti, or French Polynesia in 25 days. How the hell do I get to do this? My person of significance is very significant, especially in French Polynesia, where she books many trips a year for people with many dollars. So in part, she won a trip out of a drawing. Travel agents that book the destination were allowed one entry in a drawing for every trip that they would book to French Polynesia during a particular time of year. She booked way more than anyone else during that particular time, so her odds of winning the drawing were much better than anyone else. So she won. That gave airfare to the islands and then some meals and hotel. What it didn't include was taxes and inter-island airfare. That can add up. We are going to be there 7 days and will probably visit up to 5 islands. Luckily since she was supposed to take a fam trip (familiarization trip), which would have been paid for by her tour operator. So she agreed to combine her free trip with her fam trip, thus getting meals and taxes and inter-island air paid for, hopefully (Buck Crosses Fingers).

So wow though. I just got my passport this year, and now I'll have had occasion to use it twice. Unreal. In looking at this year, it doesn't seem to me to be all that wild but, if all goes well with this trip (Buck Crosses Fingers), then in less than one year and 3 months, I will have been for the first time to Hawaii, Tahiti, Iceland, Seattle, Portland and New York. With all trips off the mainland being basically free. WTF? How do I have it so good? Could someone slap the fucking shit out of me the next time I am in a bad mood. Can we do that for me please? Good.

Weekend, Waiting fro Grandpap's

So I've not posted any more of my Grandfather's Pocket Pal because I'm waiting for my slacker mother to photo copy more of it and mail it to me. In her defense she has been busy teaching school children something or other.

My weekend was a fine one. Friday night Amy, Marc, Tiger, Devin, Dylan, Angie and I all went to see Electric 6 at the Key Club. They were really very good as always. Playing many new songs of the new album, except for Pink Flamingos, and that I can hardly forgive... Fun night though, I was actually able to find an outfit that I had never worn before, it was really a fun number.
Amy and I ended up walking around the neighborhood late into the night again, talking through issues vital to the day. It was a fun night.

Saturday we slept late late late. Like 5:30 or something. Ouch. We both woke up not feeling all that perfect but our friend Tiger really wanted us to go to the L.A. Burning Man Decompression, so we sucked it up and through on pretty outfits and headed out the door. We picked up Devin & Dylan and headed cross Hollywood. Upon getting to the festival, which was downtown near 1st and Temple, I was starting to be glad we went. It was really an interesting event, and certainly made me want to attend Burning Man at least sometime in the next few years.

We left the Burning Man event around 11:30, stopping on the way home by Solar City's house. We were dying to hear the final mix of Slut Buffet and he happened to be having a party and said he'd just finished it. His party was very good. Many tidy gay men and a well stocked bar and lots and some good eats. After some drinking and mingling we were invited back into the studio for the unveiling. The studio was full of people for the listening, which was really fun, I was thrilled to know that I really believed in the song, and that the crowd gathered in the room was certainly going to love it. After sometime filled with software difficulties and much funny heckling the mix poured out. Very high energy, very good time. The room bursted into applause in the end. Marc say's we have a hit.

Sunday was another late sleep day. Amy woke up not well. I drove to Noah's Bagels in order to make her feel better, returning home with many delights. We spent the day doing little to nothing. We watched "The Pentagon Papers" and "Chinatown", both of which I really enjoyed. We had dinner at Canter's.

Pocket Pal 1976 - Part 7 - 3/1/76 through 3/21/76

March 1, 1976
Monday
A cloudy cold day again. Got up at 7:00 feeling fine. Don't know what the day holds yet. Went down town had coffee at Daylight Shop and went to grocery store and got stuff got dinner. Will stay home the rest of the day now ant watch TV tonight, that's all.

March 2, 1976
Tuesday
A cloudy foggy day, up at 7:00 feeling fine. Went downtown to the store and got a few things for the (?????) . Will stay in and watch TV tonight. Temperature most of the day was 30 degrees.

March 3, 1976
Wednesday - Ash Wednesday
Up at 6:00 feeling gine. Partly cloudy day in store for us. Went down to the holiday home and got Rene's small check for her. Will stay home tonight ans watch TV. That's all for the day.

(Buck Note: all this time I was thinking grandma worked at the library, as she did later in her life but that is not so, she wworked in a nursing home at this time, the Hammond Holiday Home to be exact. Of course, I couldn't resist a little map and directions action. This would be the route taken by Grandma to work and by grandpa to walk with her and to go and pick up her check in order to pay bills. )


Start address:
221 W 8th St Larned, KS 67550
End address:
114 W 11th St Larned, KS 67550
Distance:
0.3 mi (about 43 secs)



March 4, 1976
Thursday
A Cloudy cold snowy day. Got up at 6:00 feeling fine. Went downtown to the courthouse, took card to them. Also went went to the grocery store and got a few things to eat. Will stay home tonight and watch TV.

(Buck Note: Here is the courthouse)

March 5, 1976
Friday
A clear sunny day in progress it looks like. Got up at 7:30 feeling fine. Went downtown to the store and got a few things. Will stay home tonight and watch TV, that's all for today.

March 6, 1976
Saturday
Got up at 7:00 feeling fine. A clear sunny day in store for us. Rene ans I are going downtown and then to the grocery store, Come home and watch TV.

March 7, 1976
A cloudy day in store, went down town and had coffee. Came back home and watch TV. Will stay home tonight and watch TV.

March 8, 1976
Monday
A cloudy foggy day, got up at 7:45, feeling fine. Me and Rene are going downtown this afternoon to the post office, store and bank. We got back home after the things we done so we watch TV tonight.

March 9, 1976
Tuesday
got up at 7:45 feeling great, a clear sunny day in store for us. Went down to the post office mailed letters then went down town and had coffee. Rene and I will go downtown and pay the light bill this afternoon. Will stay Home tonight and watch TV.

(Buck Note: Here is the Larned Post Office)

March 10, 1976
Wednesday
Got up at 8:00 Feeling fine, a lovely sunny day in store for us. Went downtown and had coffee. Will have to go to the Store this afternoon. All the Shopping is done for today once again. Will stay home tonight and watch TV, that's all for today.

March 11, 1976
Thursday
A Cloudy day today. Got up at 7:15 Feeling Fine. Went downtown to the Daylight shop and had coffee. Also went downtown this afternoon fir a while but otherwise a quiet day. Will stay in tonight and watch TV.

March 12, 1976
Friday
Got up at 7:30 feeling fine. A rainy windy day in store for us. Went to the store and got a few things for us. Will stay home tonight and watch TV. That's all for today dear diary.

March 13, 1976
Saturday
A Sunny clear day, went downtown and had coffee. Went down to the library and store. Will stay in tonight and watch TV.

(Buck Note: Here's the walk to the Library)

March 14, 1976
Sunday
A sunshiny day. Me and Rene are going to church this morning. Come home fix dinner. Will stay home tonight and watch TV.

March 15, 1976
Monday
A cold cloudy day got up at 7:00 feeling fine. Went down to the post office then on downtown and had coffee at Dutton's Drugstore. Didn't do much this afternoon. So will stay home tonight and watch TV and that's all today.

March 16, 1976
Tuesday
A nice sunny day, got up at 7:00 feeling great. Went down to the store and got a few things to eat, came back home and had dinner. Played cards this afternoon with Rene. Will stay home tonight and watch TV.

March 17, 1976
Wednesday - St. Patrick's Day
A nice sunny day in store again. Got up at 6:00 feeling great, don't know what the day holds yet. Rene and me went down to the library, also then to the grocery store and got a few things to eat so will stay in tonight and watch TV.

March 18, 1976
Thursday
A very beautiful day. Up at 6:22 feeling great. Rene and I went downtown to the Doctor's office for check up. Then went to the grocery store and got a few things, will stay in tonight and watch TV.

March 19, 1976
Friday
A very nice day again, got up are 6:00. Looks like a great day. Will go down to the post office for Rene and mail letters. Didn't do much this afternoon so well stay in and watch TV tonight.

March 20, 1976
Saturday
A sunny day in store. Went down to the store and got (???) for the weekend. Will go down and mail letters this afternoon. Stay home and watch TV tonight.

March 21, 1976
Sunday
A Beautiful day in store me and Rene are going to church again. Come home fix dinner afternoon. Stay home tonight and watch TV, that's all today.

Alice Olivia Angel

I have a wonderful 1st cousin Travis, who was pretty much my favorite thing in the world growing up. He and his wonderful wife Natalie just had a baby. Much Love. So cute!

Alice Olivia Angel
Born: 10/09/06 at 8:27pm
Weight: 7 lbs and 7.9 oz
Length: 19 3/4"

Pocket Pal 1976 - Part 6 - 2/16/76 through 2/29/76

February 16, 1976
Monday - Washington's Birthday
A very nice day in store for us, got up feeling great and so was Rene. Went downtown to Dr. Code and got some stool softeners for Rene. Will stay home the rest of the day and watch TV tonight.

February 17, 1976
Tuesday
A clear sunny day again in store for us. Got up at 7:30, felling great. Went downtown and got a few things from the store. Stayed home and watched TV in the evening, that's all. Also mailed two letters for Rene.

February 18, 1976
Wednesday
Another beautiful day in store again. Got up around 7:30 feeling great and so did Rene. Went downtown and did the grocery shopping. Will stay home tonight and Watch TV, that's about it for another day.

February 19, 1976
Thursday
Up at 7:45 feeling fine. Another clear sunny day this morning. We had a nice Surprise, Ted & Lois came up to see us and we rode around with them for a while. Stayed home in evening and watched TV.

February 20, 1976
Friday
Up early this morning feeling great, another beautiful day in store again. Have lots to do today. Rene has to go to the Doctor today also. Went to the hospital and got the things Rene left then went to the Doctor, store, library. Stay home and watch TV.

February 21, 1976
Saturday
Cold Blizzard today up at 7:00, feeling fine. Don't know what the day holds yet. Went down to the store, stay home and watch TV tonight.

February 22, 1976
Sunday
a beautiful looking day, went downtown had coffee. Got Rene's vitamins refilled. Will stay home and watch TV tonight.

February 23, 1976
Monday
A Sunny day again. This is Rene's 56th Birthday today. I got up at 6:40 feeling fine. Went down town and had coffee this morning. Next Rene and I are going to post office, library and the grocery store then come back home stay in and watch TV.

February 24, 1976
got up at 8:00 o'clock feeling great. A warm sunny day. Also we had a nice surprise yesterday Sharon and kids came down also Janet and brought gifts for Irene's 56th birthday. Today Rene did some washing and I Hung it out. Also went down to the store. Will stay home tonight and watch TV.

February 25, 1976
Wednesday
A bright Sunny day again. Got up at 7:35 feeling fine. Went downtown had coffee at Duton's Drug. Will not have to go to the store today so will stay home and watch tonight. So ends another day of living at home.

(Buck note: Okay so that's the name of the drugstore I missed early on, sadly I could find no address for it. No Neato map. Got say that's the best sign off yet, I like that one.)

February 26, 1976
Thursday
A nice warm day out. Got up at 7:00 feeling great. Went down town and had coffee then went to the grocery store and got stuff for dinner and supper. Rene and I went down to the post office and mailed letters. Will watch TV tonight, that's all.

February 27, 1976
Friday
Got up at 7:30 feeling great. Another beautiful day again. Went downtown and has coffee, came back home fixed dinner for Rene and me. Went downtown to the Doctor's office with Rene and got some stuff for her. Also went to store. Will stay home and watch TV tonight.

February 28, 1976
Saturday
Got up at 6:00 Feeling fine. Went downtown had coffee and we went to the store twice. Washed out my clothes. Stay home tonight and watch TV.

February 29, 1976
Sunday - Leap Year
a Cloudy cool day, got up at 6:00 feeling fine. Went downtown and had coffee. Stay home and watch TV tonight.

Pocket Pal 1976 - Part 5 - 2/9/76 through 2/15/76

Talked to mother last night, she was able to fill me in on some of the things I was not understanding. It was most certainly her and Sharon who visited that Sunday at the end of January. Also grandma was in the hospital for a hysterectomy, apparently she had started hemmorging and they had to perform one... I could get more detail I presume.

For perspective I've mapped out the route from their house on 8th to the the hospital, It's important to note that they did not have a car, this would make the trip a tad longer then the 1 minute google maps has estimated.

Here's what the hospital looks like:



Start address:
221 W 8th St. Larned, KS 67550
End address:
923 Carroll Ave. Larned, KS 67550
Distance:
0.4 mi (about 1 min)

February 9, 1976
Monday
Up early this morning and feeling great. Another nice day in store. Will go up to the hospital and visit Rene again. Went down to nursing home got money to pay the light bill also had lunch at (?)peler(?) and will go back & see Rene again then come home.

February 10, 1976
Tuesday
A cloudy looking dat yesterday it got up in the 80's. Up early feeling fine. Will go up and see Rene again today she is getting a lot better. Don't know what the day holds yet. Had a good day went back after supper and visited Rene, That's all.

February 11, 1976
Wednesday
A clear day in store. Got up early feeling great. Went downtown and had coffee in the morning also went to hospital and saw Rene. Will go back this afternoon and evening and take up the gown I washed for her, so comes the end of another (??) day.

February 12, 1976
Thursday, Lincoln's Birthday
Got up around 8:00 o'clock feeling fine. Looks like partly cloudy day in store. Must feed the cats then get around and go see Rene. Did some washing today for Rene and me & went back to the hospital to visit Rene.

February 13, 1976
Friday (Buck note: Friday the 13th)
Up early this morning feeling great. Must go up and see Rene again and I haven't missed a day yet. Hope she gets to come home Sunday. Another clear day in store for us. I'll go back up this afternoon and tonight to visit with Rene then come home and go to bed.

February 14, 1976
Saturday
A cloudy day, up early feeling great. Will go up and see Rene then do shopping this afternoon then back to see Rene again.

February 15, 1976
Sunday
Today Rene comes home from the hospital also a bright clear day in store so far. Will stay home and watch TV tonight. Good to have Rene back home.

Pocket Pal 1976 - Part 4 - 2/2/1976 through 2/8/1976

February 2, 1976
Monday
Up early this morning, feeling great. A cloudy cool day early this morning early this morning. Went and took treatment at Dr. Cader. Did the shopping, Rene has to go into hospital today and get ready for her operation the Doctor said she will be alone for a while.

(did i get that last part correct?)

February 3, 1976
Tuesday
Up early and feeling fine. Sort of a cloudy day, temperature 30 degrees . Irene is in the hospital as of yesterday afternoon. Will spend time with her. Went down town, had coffee on my way to visit with Rene.

February 4, 1976
Wednesday
Got up early this morning feeling great, a cloudy day only 10 degrees above. (???) gave me some grapes & (???) last night, brought them home with me to eat, had some for breakfast. Will go back to the hospital and see Rene. Must pay the rent and food bill today. Will go back and visit Rene this afternoon and night.

February 5, 1976
Thursday
Cloudy and Snowy day. Up early and feeling great. Going to the hospital Irene gets operated on around 8:00 o'clock, The Operation went fine, Rene is a little bit slurry yet and in some pain but will be on her feet in the morning. I will go back up this afternoon to her. So ends Thursday.

February 6, 1976
Friday
Up early feeling fine. Will go up and visit with Rene again, she should be in better shape this time. A clear but cold day in store for us. Went down town and had breakfast at Blue Goose. Will go to library today and then back to visit Rene, that's all.

(Buck note: Ha!! That must be the name of the cafe I couldn't figure out early on. Blue Goose Cafe. What was he doing at the library? Was researching book art really something he was into? Is it possible that they actually had a plan that Rene would write a good book and Ray would do the "book art"? What was Grandma's operation? Also props to grampa for cutting back on his TV time.)

February 7, 1976
Saturday
Clear cold day in store, got up early feeling fine. Will go up and visit with Rene most of the day. Paid grocery bill, back up to visit with Rene again.

February 8, 1976
Sunday
A Beautiful sunny day in store, will go up to the hospital and be with Rene most of the day then come back home and watch TV, that's all.

(Buck Note: UG!! Again with the TV, spoke to soon)

Pocket Pal 1976 - Part 3 - 1/12/76 through 2/1/1976

January 12, 1976
Monday
Got up early this morning a very nice looking day, sunshine in store. Temperature 30, may get up around 40. Went to the store and got supplies. Will go with Rene and get her glasses today. Got back from eye doctor with Rene. New glasses, will watch TV tonight. That's all.

(buck note: there is a line squeezed in between the two lines about getting back from the eye doctor and the one that starts new glasses. I didn't realize what it said until I was two entries down and I had the clues to figure it out, read below)

Took Rene to the Hospital. Bad day.

January 13, 1976
Tuesday
Got up early this morning what the weather will be I don't know yet. (dunno this one looks like " will help zap & cats (??). Cloudy and 30 Degrees today. I'm going to the I'm going to the hospital to see how Rene makes out. Spent the whole afternoon with Rene in the Hospital she getting long OK. Will stay home tonight and watch TV that's all.

January 14, 1976
Wednesday
A bright sunshiny day have to go to the hospital this morning to see Rene about this and that, will continue later. Rene gets to come home tomorrow. Good Deal. Went downtown had coffee, I'll go back to the hospital this afternoon and visit looks like. Zap gone. Stayed home and watched TV that's all for the day.

January 15, 1976
Thursday
Cloudy looking day but nice. Will have to go to the store then be up to the hospital by 11. Rene ready to come home. Dr. (???) and me are going after Rene at hospital. So ends another good day Rene home now will watch TV tonight.

January 16, 1976
Friday
Got up early this morning a bright sunshine day, Temperature 50 Degrees this afternoon. Went down to hammonds got money for Rene to pay light bill. Went and took medical exam paper to Dr. (???) for welfare (????). Will stay home and watch TV tonight.

January 17, 1976
Saturday
A Bright clear day in store looks like. Temperature at 6:00 34 Degrees. Got up early. Will do shopping this afternoon. Rene & I stay home tonight and watch TV that's all.

January 18, 1976
Sunday
Got up Early this morning, a clear bright day, temperature at 7:00 30 Degrees. Will go to church with Rene then come and fix dinner. Stay home and watch TV that's all.

January 19, 1976
Monday
Got up Early this morning, Temperature at 6:00 30 degrees, Looks like a fair day in store. Rene went back to work again. Went down town and had coffee did the store shopping came home and fixed dinner. Will stay home tonight and watch TV with Rene.

January 20, 1976
Tuesday
Another fine day in store, got up early had breakfast with Rene, she went to work. Will go downtown after a while then come back home and fix dinner. Went down and walked home with Rene. Will stay home tonight and watch TV, that's all.

January 21, 1976
Wednesday
Another fine day in store, got up early have to do some washing and more shopping today. Bet I can handle it though. Got the washing hung outside. What a warm beautiful day. Will stay home tonight and watch TV with Rene, that's all.

January 22, 1976
Thursday
got up early this morning had to eat Breakfast. Looks like another swell day in store will walk to work with Rene. Went downtown and got librex refill and did shopping for supper. Will stay home and watch TV tonight with Rene.

January 23, 1976
Friday
up early and a very nice day in store. Don't know what the day holds yet but will find out. Went down to the library with Rene and researched book art again. Came back home and did my washing. 62 degrees out this afternoon. Watch TV tonight.

January 24, 1976
Saturday
Up and at em Early this morning another warm day in store. Did the shopping at store. Rene had to work From 4 to Midnight. I stayed in watched TV.

January 25, 1976
Sunday
Cloudy Snowy Day. Stayed home and all day as Rene worked last night. Will watch TV tonight, so ends another day.

January 26, 1976
Monday
Up early this morning, feeling great. 11 Degrees above zero. Looks like a clear day in store. Went down town and had Coffee, next go up to (?)tim's(?) and got refill of halidol
Backing bread now. Will go down town do the shopping stay home tonight and watch TV.

January 27, 1976
Tuesday
Up Earl this morning feeling fine. A clear sunny day again it looks like. Went down town had coffee will start dinner then go down and walk home with Rene. Rene has to work all day, will go down later and come home with her, stay home and watch TV.

January 28, 1976
Wednesday
Up and at em early this morning. Feeling Great. Looks like another swell day, supposed to be in the 60's, couldn't ask for more. Went down town had coffee, will go down and see if Rene has to work all day. Rene & I came home for dinner she didn't have to work all day, good deal.

January 29, 1976
Thursday
Up Early this morning feeling fine, looks like another swell day in store. Hope the kids come down sat. Went down town had coffee now watching TV with Rene. Have to do some shopping this afternoon then stay home and watch TV tonight.

January 30, 1976
Friday
Got up early this morning, a beautiful day in store for us. Rene gets her hair fixed today. Has to work tonight from 4 to midnight, will go down and get her check. Went down and got hair cut, will go to work with Rene and that's the way it is for the day.

(Buck note: a day with no mention of TV!!!)

January 31, 1976
Saturday
A very fine sunshiny day in store, must go to the store today and get a few things for the weekend. Went down town and had coffee so much for that.

February 1, 1976
Sunday
A clear day again, kids supposed to come down today, will go to church Rene has to go to work. Will have a grand day with girls & grandma. That's all.

(Buck note: okay mom, who are the kids? you and Sharon? I'm lost.)

Pocket Pal 1976 - Part 2 - 1/5/76 through 1/11/76

January 5, 1976
Monday
Sunny and fair
Went downtown with Rene and paid bills then came back home watched TV.
Then went to bed, had a good time. Also had 2 Doctor's Appointment to end the day.

January 6, 1976
Tuesday
Cloudy and Cold
Walked up to my Dental appointment but the Doctor was gone won't be back for a while so appointment is made for Feb. 19th. Some Day.

(Buck Note: the last line written for this day is written in another person's hand writing, I know at some point Grandma takes over in this journal writing for grandpa, sometimes in his voice and sometimes in here own so I would assume this one line can be attributed to her)

A blizzard in the making

(Buck Note: I'm trying to find a weather archive of the area to find out if the Blizzard referred to was an actual weather occurrence or maybe some other phenomenon entirely, i suspect grandma of being just like that, however given the location and the time of year a blizzard would make pretty perfect sense. Gosh buck... Just read ahead... Reference to actual snow coming right up, I guess by now I should have trusted if Grandpa was going to talk about one thing in the journal it's going to be the weather.)

January 7, 1976
Wednesday
Sunny & Cold 4 Below Zero
Early this morning haven't done much yet. Went to the store and done the shopping, will watch TV tonight and call it a good day after all the snow and cold tempurture.

January 8, 1976
Thursday
Cloudy, Sunshine & Snow and even Zero early this morning. Went downtown for a little while had coffee at (?) Drugstore. Came back home put dinner on watched the waltons in the evening so that's the way the day came to a close.

January 9, 1976
Friday
Looks like a nice day maybe. Zero early this morning. Bright and Sunny day I hope. Will do some washing and get stuff for dinner. Made a Doctor's appointment for Rene at 3:00. Will go with her then come back home and watch TV tonight, that's all.

January 10, 1976
Saturday
Cloudy & Sunny but a nice day. Went downtown did the shopping twice(?) go down and was shop with Rene (? that entire fragment is tough to read). Stay home and watch TV tonight that's all.

January 11, 1976
Sunday
A very nice day sunshine all day around 40 Degrees. Went to church and had a wonderful time stayed home and watched TV rest of the day.

Pocket Pal 1976

After my Grandmother on my Mother's side suffered her recent stroke forcing her into a long term care facility, my mother and her siblings were left the task of sorting through some of her things. Among them was an item of extreme curiosity to this related blogger, my Grandfather Ray Melvin's Journal. I never met my Mom's Pop, I've never heard his voice and I had never until yesterday even seen his hand writing. I've seen a few pictures, but that's the extent of it. The address listed in the journal is 221 w. 8th Street in Larned, KS. 67550. According to my mother he had just been released from the State Hospital there after a spell of manic frenzy which had been preceded by 4 years of talking to no one. I would like to have read the journal from those 4 years.
Since it feels appropriate I will attempt to transcribe the journal here, I will probably need some assistance from my Mother in this respect so some of the postings may appear rather incomplete until I can get transcription assistance.
The above picture is of Grandpa Ray and my now ailing grandmother Irene. The photo was taken in 1972, somewhere in Kansas, quite possibly Larned.


Here is a photo of the first page, a photo of a photo copy. Tee hee!

The next page says Notes at the top, then
"Memories and Diary of Irene and Melvin
in -1976-

If you can read it ????"

Upside down on the same page is written:
Laura Irene
Ray Melvin

Special note, apparently Grandpa referred to Grandma as Rene.

The third page also has a curios note, the heading of the page reads
"Advance Planning for 1977"
under which one of my grandparents wrote:
"For Rene to Write a Good Book?? and be kind"

The Actual Journal action begins on page 4,

January 1, 1976
Thursday, New Years Day
Here it is 1976 spent by watching Guy Lombardo
Got up to tet Rene off to work and food(?) & thats about all. Sunny outside, we go downtown to eat home about 2:00.

January 2, 1976
Friday
Sunny & Cloudy. Cold. Went down town got medicine refills (word i can't read?), also stopped at store got food for dinner & supper, need nap, will watch TV.
(Buck note: is this where the strange notion in my family that Lunch was referred to as Dinner originated from? Mother? I once asked why we used to call the midday meal dinner and everyone denied that we ever did, though I could clearly recall it was standard practice in our early days on the farm. Looks like I've got the smoking article here before me. best fess up now.)

January 3, 1976
Saturday
Sunny & Cold went downtown had coffee at blue goose cafe on way back had a mishap. watched TV then went to bed for the day.
(Buck note: wonder what the mishap was?)

January 4, 1976
Sunday
Sunny & Cold stayed home fixing dinner for Rene and me. Had nap while ago. Will Watch TV tonight. Spend day at home.

(Buck Note: I'll hopefully continue this until the completion, even though the entries are not overtly startling there is a lot here for me to try and get in mind. I know nothing but pretty terrible behavior from this man, yet here he is at the end of his life documenting his coffee, nap and TV routine, though most likely on Doctor's orders. As a younger person I never really cared to know much more about Grandpa Ray than I did, as far as I was concerned it was good riddance and so forth. I guess I've come around to wonder what used to make up the meat that moved the bones of the skeleton in the closet, and how can we all avoid a similar fate.)

Shine on Harvest Moon

Friday was the first date for SG's Dive Bar Tour. The week prior had been completely filled with stress and tension between close folks in life. It was a very difficult week to say the least. We ended up playing 4 or 5 new songs and two old new songs and two current songs. One of our speaker cables refused to do it's job which left our sound much more at the mercy of the house PA than I would prefer. I was having a very difficult time with it in the beginning, but about half way through it occurred to me that there are very few bands that would go so far out of their way to place themselves very near the edge of failure, even when the other side of the line is success. It felt like playing for the first time again, how often do you get to feel like a virgin?

Saturday was a hoe down and hoagie and kim's in Malibu, what a wonder filled day/evening it was. Devin and I woke up a tad late but still arrived early enough to help hoagie set up sound equipment in an empty pool, where our band was to perform and where a revolving throng of mad musical science acts would create waterless waves deep into the night. Many strange and interesting folks attended. I chose to interlope for most of the evening, making wide circles and stealing snatches of conversation, sometimes i'm just like that.

SG played with low end aid from Hoagie Hill, who will incorrectly have people believe he somehow mucked up our sound.. It was actually a great deal of fun and excitement to have Hoagie sitting in. It made the set for me. Really makes me want to have a bass player.

Soon we will get to hear the solar city remix of Slut Buffet.

Running with The Deville

Things are moving... I was going to blog today but instead i'll use a picture to say something vague instead. tee hee!!

Wind Wipp

It's a very important day for one person I know today. A certain Carrie should be experiencing a drastic change in personal freedoms today. Maybe not as dramatic or drastic as she would like, but I bet it's a major appreciation situation none the less. So I'm sending out a good thought and happy wish for my friend today. You are still alive and in possession of all your faculties, may luck shine on your future. You've got so many gifts and talents, its up to you to use them for the advancement of the individual and the community. May you sleep well tonight, full of pizza and freedom. I love you. CALL ME!

We watched the movie Key Largo last night, I liked it. I have a thing for Bogie. The ambient storm noise in the background of most the movie had me thinking about several things.

First off I'm trying to think of less obvious but just as persistent ambient soundscapes. I didn't really come up with any that knocked my socks off. I'll keep working on it.

The second thing it had me thinking about was our old farm house. It is really kind of remarkable when you think about the elements and mans stand against them. My family lived in Western Kansas, three miles from a tiny town with no services and nearly 30 miles from any real civilization. When I think about the winters in Western Kansas it makes me marvel at the thought of the five of us cozy inside a little house, where outside the wind whips snow around, in temperature that could make life very unliveable.
I remember sticking my nose up against the glass of the windows and feeling the cold from the outside. Melting the frost that would form on the otherside with the heat of my breath. The is some feeling of comfort that is achieved in existing in a small friendly ecosystem inside a much larger, unfriendly system.
I dunno... Just things I was thinking about.

Pasture

I've read back a bit in the blog today. Two years ago we jammed on Dichotomy, I remember being very pleased. It developed as a song pretty fast, the recording took longer as did the mix. Devin and I both enjoy it, Amy doesn't. She thinks it's to basic or something.

Yesterday we jammed out a bunch of new songs and one new cover.
We will have a set of songs that have been created after the Free Alongside Ship Album ready for Friday's show. It will be a seat of the pants affair. I am really excited to do that.

Also in the blog I read all about our trip to Hawaii, it's not even been a year. It made me sad to not be in that moment again. Why though after I've done so much? I guess it was just a very special feeling. They all are, I guess I'm glad I jotted it down, even poorly as I did, it made me remember with a clarity of feeling that I maybe couldn't have mustered otherwise. Life can be oh so special if I'm taking the time and effort.

Here's to taking the time and effort.

Wound up Round up

This is not going to be easy, my absence has been great. I've meant to blog many things that I have not blogged.

Upon returning from Iceland I set about trying to put the thing down here, I got over my head. I changed tenses many times. Sometimes I'm present sometimes I'm past. In the end I did a crude spell check and posted part one in the interest of moving on with my blog life. I will set about taking up where I left off sometime soon.
Here is a list of things I meant to blog about but didn't.

Finally playng the Kibitz Room,
Making a Video for The Curse,
My guitar amp is dead, waiting to be replaced and repaired,
Working with Solar City on a Slut Buffet Remix,
Playing the Dragon Fly,
Spending a relaxed evening with Hoagie,
Random Party thinking,
Story Ideas,
Songs,
Life,
My Mental Political State.

Talking to people.

stay tuned