When it comes to technology, I'm pretty pathetic. For some unknown reason, the upstairs TV occasionally refuses to respond to the remote. I start pushing certain lucky buttons in different patterns that usually seem to work until it is coaxed into responding. It occurred to me that is the way I live my life. I really don't know what I'm doing so I end up doing the same old things that usually seem to work and, miraculously, my life turns out pretty great.

I was going to write about how, this week, I invented the first casserole I ever made but I thought I should spare you the gory details. Suffice it to say, it was delicious, I ate the whole thing and my fears of being poisoned were unwarranted. It is interesting though, when you think you might have to rush yourself to the hospital at any moment, how many weird sensations you notice flickering through your body to which you normally wouldn't pay any attention.

Thursday, tonight, Kerry Henderson, lead guitarist of The Floorwalkers does the happy hour at Rumba. The Flashing Clock and You're So Bossy are at The Treehouse and a new band I saw in my Comfest rounds and liked, Za's Pawnshop Special, is at The Thirsty Ear.

Friday, The Randys are at Dick's.... but I will continue anyway. My favorite heavy metal band, Razorblliss, is at The Hot Spot on Sinclair Ave. Lucy's Maze makes a rare appearance at Oldfield's on High. Two former members of The Midnighters are performing, James Edwards in The Muzzleloaders at Ravari and Stephanie Jeffreys does the happy hour at Rumba. One more possibility is Ghost Shirt at The Treehouse.

Saturday afternoon, I will have the pleasure of stage managing Music In The Round at the Spice Gastro Lounge which is a benefit for Transit Arts organized by The Capitol Square Rotary Club. Chris Burney, R J Cowdrey and Matt Monta performing. Doors at 5 PM show at 6:30. Its usually sold out. Later, This Is My Suitcase is at The Basement with a bunch of other bands, Fox 'n' Hounds does the bluegrass thing at Dick's, The Wet Darlings and a few others are at The Treehouse.

Nothin' says lovin' like somethin' from the oven. mark

This was a good week. The COMFEST license plate was affixed to my new black '93 BMW 318i and I was selected as one of three honored volunteers for Comfest 2009 which means there will be a little thing in the program about me. After 20 years of service, it was something I always hoped would happen but I was afraid I was a bit too controversial to ever be selected. I try to be the hardest working member of Comfest so it feels really good to be acknowledged.

Tonight, Thursday, The Spikedrivers do the happy hour at Rumba followed by the Canadian female duo, Po'Girl, whose CD of eclectic gypsy/klezmer music I reveiwed on the radio last Sunday and really enjoyed. There is also a Bob Dylan Tribute/benefit for Third Hand Bicycle Co-op at Victorians with Cowboy Hillbilly Hippie Folk, Mas Bagua and Matt Monta among others.

Friday, reunions of New Bomb Turks and Scrawl at The Summit, The Wet Darlings are at Rumba and Southeast Engine is one of four bands at the Treehouse.

Saturday, Happy Chichester returns from the west coast to perform at Dick's, Earwig and Bookmobile are at Ravari and Super Desserts and RTFO Bandwagon are at Rumba.


The weather outside is frightful. mark

What's Up This Weekend?

I began the first "What's Up..." on February 10, 2006 with the line "Happy hour anyone?" and sent it to 12 people. This one goes out to 85 of you lovely people. Thanks so much for reading and you can make my day by hitting the reply and send buttons so I can see just whom amongst you is actually reading and when you read it. As always, I love any comments or replies that you might want to include. Recently, I created a blog that incorporates this email with links to the performers and the bars at therockandrolllawyer.blogspot.com. It also includes my infamous Doodah parade photo.

Thursday, tonight, Woody Pines returns from North Carolina to do a set at Dick's Den. RTFO Bandwagon makes a rare appearance with Psychedelic Horseshit and Puffy Areolas at Oldfields's on High.

Friday, Grassahol is at Byrne's Pub. Lydia Loveless is at Carabar with OPM and American Dog, The Spikedrivers are at Rumba and The Floorwalkers are at Thirsty Ear.

Saturday, Derek DiCenzo will actually be performing music as opposed to just DJing at Dick's and my favorite heavy metal band, Razorbliss, will be with The Damnits, a good rock band, and Candy Coated Jesus at Skully's. I've never seen him and I won't this time at The Schott but I would love to see George Jones before he dies. Times New Viking will be doing Velvet Underground covers at the Wexner as they say aloha to the Andy W. exhibit I never saw. The Katie Reider Rocks Back Benefit will be at The LC. Katie was a wonderful performer and beautiful person.

Sunday, I guest-host the Invisible Hits Hour with Curt Schieber on CD 101 at 9 PM. We will be reviewing among other discs, the new Mark Olson and Gary Louris "Ready for the Flood", new Van Morrison "Astral Weeks at the Hollywood Bowl", "Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby" and Po' Girl's "Deer In the Night", two ladies from Canada that sound really nice.

Well, here's a toast to our better angels and have a passionate Valentines Day. mark

My funny valentine
Sweet comic valentine
You make me smile with my heart
Your looks are laughable
Unphotographable
Yet youre my favourite work of art

Is your figure less than greek
Is your mouth a little weak
When you open it to speak
Are you smart?

But dont change a hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little valentine stay
Each day is valentines day

Is your figure less than greek
Is your mouth a little weak
When you open it to speak
Are you smart?

But dont you change one hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little valentine stay
Each day is valentines day

Lyrics by Lorenz Hart

What's Up This Weekend?

You know it is cold outside when you unconsciously try to put your leather jacket on over the camel hair coat you already have on. I always thought I was immune to the winters here but I'm tired of this cold crap. On the other hand, I realized what a wimp I am after talking to my friends from Athens who went without heat and electricity for six days recently. And actually I have learned that I can live with the thermostat set at 60 degrees, something I decided to try after getting a monthly gas bill for $430.00.

Thursday, tonight, Dick's Den has one of my favorite jazz acts, Andy Woodson's Magically Delicious. Derek DiCenzo will be spinning his vinyl madness at Rumba and The Main Street Gospel is at the Treehouse.

Friday, Matt Munhall is at Dick's Den, The Wet Darlings and The Andy Shaw Band are at Ravari, Megan Palmer & the Hopefuls are at Rumba, The Receiver is at Skully's, The Floorwalkers are at Thirsty Ear and the first evening of the Lost Weekend Records Sixth Anniversary Show at Ruby's features Nakamura Lock (who supposedly have changed their name to something not nearly as cool, Night Family) and The Guinea Worms.

Saturday, Semi Precious Weapons is at Ravari, Two Cow Garage, Ghost Shirt and Super Desserts are at the Treehouse and the second Lost Weekend night at Ruby's features Moon High (8 PM) and The Flashing Clock.

I've got my love to keep me warm. mark