Booty Trap

Guess where I went this weekend. Here's a clue:

Don't you realize? The next time you see sky, it'll be over another town. The next time you take a test, it'll be in some other school. Our parents, they want the best of stuff for us. But right now, they got to do what's right for them. Because it's their time. Their time! Up there! Down here, it's our time. It's our time down here.

The pen is mightier

I bought a pen. I can't remember the last time I bought a pen. Pens arent' purchased. They are acquired. They move, stealthily through the world to my desks, pockets, truck, and kitchen. At night, herds of inky plastic tubes dart from shadow to shadow, searching for the seat cushion cracks and backpacks that they will call home.

I don't mean to imply that I bought a fancy pen. Pilot G-2. Standard notebook use, though the rubber grippy is nice. It really would be a great little night, but I made the mistake of clicking on Denis Leary's "Lock 'n Load" album on the Zune. And realized it was released 10 years ago, right as I was preparing to graduate undergrad.

And then it hit me. My 10 year college reunion is here. I've been teaching as long as it took me to go through junior high, high school, and college combined. Oh, sweet Kevin Bacon Lord of All I'm old! As of this spring, I will have been a father for the same length of time I was a college kid.

There ain't a scotch strong enough to knock that right. Am I really that old?

I suppose I'll go when the time comes. I enjoyed college like Robin Williams enjoyed cocaine. High school is fading from my memory (and junior high was gone from my skull years ago), and if a reunion occurred, I was blissfully unaware. But college? I'll go. I will even pull out my Spin Doctors, Morphine, and Presidents of the United States of America CD's and load them up in anticipation.

Now you're older still

It's probably too cold to be outside, but I forgot my jacket. Low 50's, so I can't complain. Sierra Harvest is the beer special tonight, and I've escaped to The Flying Saucer in the hopes of writing a year-end retrospective full of tears, laughs, and dreams. But my new Zune, in its geeky goodness, has left me recalling liner notes of albums long lost. So here are the liner notes for the latest Ramblin' Rover CD: Losing Latitude.

First, a big thanks to my family. Your support helped make this record jump from my head to the tracks you're hearing. Dr. Wife and Miss Neverpoop, you make me feel big and famous even when record sales are low.

Big props to my posse in the KC and Larry Towns: Ken, Donn, Steve, Joe, Erin, Gregg and Kim, Sean and Renee, Josh and Julie, Barry and Tara, Laura, Shannon, Jimmy and Kaya, Jason and Sarah, The folks at the Americana Music Academy, LHS, The Yarddogs. I'm homesick! Texas is big, but not as big as my love for you all.

All my peeps at Boomerang: I know you get back what you give, but I've got some catching up to do for you all. You've given me so much.
My new eses in SA, it's been quick and dirty. Let's rock through a few more sets and see if you can still dig my groove once we get rolling. You've seen little yet, so hang on.

And the good gang at 727 Production Studios, I can't thank you enough for the international tour this summer (promoting the last album, Domestic Tranquility) and the years of true family support. Brothers and Sisters all.

Jen and Eddie No-Hair. you showed me myself with your love.

2007. Not the beating of 2006, but you left me ugly with some solid punches to the soul. Let's hit gold with the next album, OK?