Dec
31
2011

New Years Eve

(Add / View Comments) (0)PhotosSaturday, December 31, 2011 - 11:22:40 pm
(Posted Under: Tempe Music Scene Tempe Music Scene, Music Music, Live Shows)
It's goodbye to 2011 and hello to 2012. Our night was spent at Tempe Tavern with Dead Hot Workshop, Ghetto Cowgirl and The Persuaders. It was a not bad turn out, given the slew of other options that were out there. Not that I thought they were good options, but I'm sure others would have.

Photobox ImageSeeing Dead Hot Workshop close out the year was a treat, since we've only seen them one other time in 2011, back in April. Unfortunately their set was shorter than I was expecting. But maybe that's the spoilt part of me who watches them play multiple sets at Teakwoods talking. Regardless, there were a lot of cool moments. Opening with E Minor was a nice out of the box move. And we did get to learn that Ray couldn't make it, because he doesn't exist. And Norman took the stage for Push Luck Shove, so it was a great set, even if it was short.

Photobox ImageSpeaking of Norman, as far as I'm concerned, he takes out "player of the week". He was on fire all night. Maybe it was New Years Eve. Maybe it was the new microphone. It was certainly something.

How many set's do I have to play to get an O'Douls around here?!?

Photobox ImageIf Marc was player of the week, Thomas was certainly the hardest worker of the night, on stage with all three bands, as well as taking on the New Years Eve countdown duties.

Photobox ImageDuring The Persuaders set, I couldn't help but think to myself "I'm pretty sure that this sort of drumming ain't happening at the Tempe Block Party". [wink] You can take that to the bank. Speaking of Rhodes, he was incredible fun to watch tonight on Cocaine Blues. While he usually deafens you throughout the set, he never looks it's that much of an effort. But I did notice how much even he was flailing around on that song. Rock n' roll!

Really fun New Years Eve. And the first song of the year we heard was Just The Same. So I've got to figure that bodes well for 2012!
Dec
31
2011

2011 In Music

(Add / View Comments) (0)Saturday, December 31, 2011 - 03:13:26 pm
(Posted Under: Music Music)
It's time for that annual post...

[hitter:table user="ord" start="20110101" period_type="year" table_type="albums" /]

It's no surprise, as mentioned in a previous entry that 2011 was all about Jimmy Eat World for me. Their albums being the #1, #2 and #6 most played this year speaks to that.

It also appears that I've been listening to New Miserable Experience a hell of a lot over the past 2 years. Sure, it's my favorite record of all time, but that's kind of happened without me really noticing it. Which is why it's cool to track this stuff through Hitter, because I wouldn't have realized it. I'm sure mixed playlists have helped that along, and hearing Hey Jealousy most morning on my iPod rather than X103.9. We can thank Dave Pratt for that. Hey Jealousy and Found Out About You were my #1 and #2 played songs I've played this year, so the fact that they're on most mix playlist has to be a factor.

As far as new records go, there are a couple to note, whether or not they appear in my top 10 plays. One that did, although it hasn't actually come out yet. Yes, The Persuaders forthcoming disc. They're by far the band we've seen the most live in 2011. And I've played their material enough for it to take out the #5 spot of 2011. Yet, I still don't feel like I've played them to death, despite the figures stating otherwise. If that doesn't speak to how great this band is, then I don't know what does. We're about a month away from the album officially dropping (that's the current ETA anyway), and I would hazard a guess that it'll feature in next year's top 10.

The other new release to be played a hell of a lot is the Fuzz Phantoms record. This was Kickstarter project I put money down for in 2010, and was honestly initially disappointed when the record dropped digitally earlier this year. Of course, I had been highly anticipating it, Darren Cordeux has never let me down. However, on the first listen I was put off by both the length of it, and what I initially considered to be a "really weird" direction. I've been put off by records before, only to later fall in love with them, but I really didn't see this happening with this album. Clearly my pysic abilities weren't working, because on going back to it a few months later I had the reaction to it that I was first hoping for. Sorry for doubting you Dazza! Love the whole thing, and We Move has to be one of the best songs of 2011.

A few other great records came out in 2011 that didn't make my top 10. Wasting Light by Foo Fighters is certainly one of them. Great record from a band that has been consistently great for over 15 years. We got a preview of the record when the white limo passed through town, and there was no regret forking out the green when it was released a few months later.

The other release of 2011 that didn't make the top 10 is Silverbell's Whitewashed Heart. That came out at the beginning of this month, which is absolutely the only reason it didn't make an appearance in my top 10 for the year (but easily took out #1 spot for December). As far as the best records of 2011 go, I'd have to argue that this is it. I've been highly anticipating it since February, and it lives up to every expectation. In my opinion, Silverbell are Arizona's best kept secret. Hopefully after the Tucson CD release, they'll be less of a secret. Definitely the best new band I've discovered since moving to the valley.

Otherwise in high rotation have been old records, that have been new to me. I finally fleshed out my Replacements collection this year, and rotation of All For One was quickly replaced with Pleased To Meet Me. Someone please tell me where that album has been my whole life! Best Replacements record hands down.

As for records I'm wondering where they've been my whole life, Sand Rubies and Based On Happy Times both also fall into that category. Both I picked up in 2010 and have been in constant rotation since.

It's a shame that there weren't more new discs out in 2011. But 2012 is shaping up to be pretty exciting in that regard.
Now Playing: Jimmy Eat World - 23
Dec
29
2011

Jimmy Eat World

(Add / View Comments) (0)Thursday, December 29, 2011 - 08:30:18 pm
(Posted Under: Tempe Music Scene Tempe Music Scene, Music Music)
It's pretty safe to say that 2011 will be remembered as the year I rediscovered Jimmy Eat World. And more to the point, discovered Chase This Light.

"Rediscovered" feels like the right term to use, and also feels vaguely strange. Because at the turn of the last decade, I pretty much hated the band. While barely having heard any of their material. It wasn't their fault. At the time I was in a situation where I continually heard about them, but never asked to. It drove me crazy. And incubated a healthy dose of resentment, albeit unfairly, towards a band I hardly knew. That might seem weird. Trust me, you had to be there.

At some point after Bleed American came out, I made a point to borrow a copy. Because, while I was steadfast on the fact that I despised the band, I did also realize the basis of that judgement was somewhat laughable. As stubborn as I can be on somethings, given the opportunity, I'll generally come around to at least educating my stance. I'd give this CD a listen, see what all the "fuss" was about, and be able to say "they suck", now with something to back up my highly opinionated opinions.

Of course, contrary to what I expected, I kinda dug the record. I spun it a bunch, then forgot about it for a little while. A few weeks or months later on a trip with friends in early in 2002, I had a "I know this song!" moment while driving around a beach town whose name escapes me. But I couldn't place the song. It annoyed me the whole long weekend, knowing that once I got home and was able to research it, I wouldn't remember anything about it (y'know, the days of not having Google in your pocket).

But clearly, that was when The Middle was released to radio in Australia, and I heard it again the following week and able to place it as Jimmy Eat World. Which re-ignited my interest in Bleed American. It was definitely considered by myself as one of those "solid" records. Not necessarily my favorite record of all time, but still one that you can put on and not have to skip a lot, if at all. I hold records like that in high regard, regardless of how often I spin them, because they're rare to come by. But once I do find such a record, they come to mind for years to come, even if it's not every other week.

And that was true for Bleed American. I never "followed" Jimmy Eat World, or thought to look into them any further - partially because I just had other forefront music things going on - but I always went back to that album throughout the years.

By the time I'd hit Arizona, I did consciously tell myself that I should investigate the Jimmy Eat World thing. The way I looked at it, I'd already devoured so much from around here by that point, I might as well branch out into that. And hey, I really liked Bleed American. Plus, it'd be a lot easier one town away from where they hail. But the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and while that idea was more forefront in my mind than ever before, putting it into action was an entirely different thing. In my defense, I kinda had a lot going on in my life as it was [wink], and anyway, I didn't know where to start. Someone suggested Futures to me which helped. Still, life kept getting in the way of acting on that suggestion.

Not that long after, Invented was released. And there lay my opportunity to come good on checking them out beyond that one record I had. There was some buzz in these parts, so it was in my face and I wasn't going to forget about it. And there was some excitement about checking out something that had just came out. All made for a good combination, and I did check out Invented not long after it came out.

It had me at "hello" (unlike that other album the same day [wink] ). And let's not bullshit here, it was Coffee And Cigarettes that did all the work. Love at first sight...err, listen...that's what it was. There are a select number of songs that make me want to burst with uncontrollable emotion, and Coffee And Cigarettes is one of them. The fucking perfect pop song. The one that on the very first listen, once it's over, you can't hit the repeat button fast enough. As simple as it gets. Coffee and cigarettes.

The final months of last year were good for songs like that. Just over a month later Jason Longo came out with Puncher's Chance. Although Katie swears we'd seen him play it before, it wasn't until Thanksgiving - right before the CD release - that I took notice of the song. It immediately gave me the exact same reaction as Coffee And Cigarettes. There must be some formula to it. It definitely includes four chords and eighth notes, I know that much. And lyrics that make you feel like you're gasping for breath while screaming them for dear life, bleeding every word. Both songs definitely have both. But I digress...

Overall I didn't think Invented was quite as consistent as Bleed American. But that didn't seem to matter much - it was in high rotation last year, and with a few days left, it's on course to be the album I've played the most this year. I guess it being not "quite as consistent" comes down it having more songs on it that are different than I'd typically listen to, at least in comparison to Bleed American. But then again, I've kind of embraced and enjoyed that difference, which I think speaks to why it's ended up as one of my top albums over the past 12 months. As much as I hate change with a passion, a trait deeply ingrained in my being, it's hard to look back at my life over the past however many years and deny how much I've revealed in and fed off difference. Either way, Invented has been a big player of 2011.

Once I was able to put down Invented long enough, the obvious place to go was to Futures, going back to the recommendation from a friend. Mind you, it wasn't until the start of this year that I managed to get there. Overall, Futures seemed a little more hit and miss to me. But looking at the track list, not so much in quantity. I think favorites vs. not weigh up about the same as with Invented. It comes more from the extremes on both ends of the spectrum. Forgetting Coffee & Cigarettes for a moment, the absolute highs on Futures are above that of Invented and the few lows are certainly lower than Invented. And by lows, I mean Drugs Or Me, which I have to skip. But the highs kill me (no pun intended), moreso than on Invented. Work, Kill and Polaris slay me. Pretty much equally. And in that "no this one is the best" way, until the next one comes on. Pure brilliance. Then you have The World You Love which virtually ranks as high as those other three in terms of making you want to bleed. This record came out in 2004, and I'm just discovering it this year. That hurts.

Beyond Futures, I'd given Chase This Light a few spins earlier in the year. But it wasn't until midway through this year that I really took notice of it. I clearly remember being in Old Town Scottsdale, having just realized how great the album was. When it comes to consistency, forget Bleed American. Nevermind how the songs on Futures kill me. Chase This Light is my favorite Jimmy Eat World record. Or at least it is right now. But I don't realistically see that changing. The whole record blows me away, there is not a song on it remotely skip-able. Just like with Futures, only more, I'm questioning where this record has been my whole life.

Delving backwards further into their catalog has actual proved a different experience. It's actually compelling the degree to which I don't care for the majority of material prior to Bleed American, in contrast to how much I love everything since. It's pretty much indirectly proportional. And not through lack of giving it a chance. It just isn't my thing, for the most part. But that's fine, given how everything (virtually) since is - and more.

I just wish it hadn't taken this long to realize it. Which isn't the first time. And probably won't be the last.

"I've always been an easy kill. I guess I always will."
Now Playing: Jimmy Eat World - Big Casino
Dec
28
2011

Joy

First Solar Is At It Again.

(Add / View Comments) (0)Wednesday, December 28, 2011 - 09:00:44 am
(Posted Under: This Desert Life This Desert Life)
On veteran's day weekend, we noticed that the First Solar building across from Tempe Town Lake had their window shutters arranged to spell out "USA".

I'm busing it this week, and on getting to First Street this morning I noticed they're at it again. Initially I thought it said "TOY" (which seemed a bit captialistic), but on getting a better view from Ash Avenue, it's actually "JOY". Cool.

Dec
27
2011

Rock Shots 2011

Best Music Photos Of The Last Year

(Add / View Comments) (3)Tuesday, December 27, 2011 - 12:43:37 pm
(Posted Under: Tempe Music Scene Tempe Music Scene, Music Music, Photography)
Someone I know recently posted an album of music photos from the past year. Which I thought was a cool idea. Cool enough to steal.

Going through my photos from the past year, I've learnt a few things. That I've seen The Persuaders perform a ridiculous amount of times this year. That it's been another great year for live music. That if I put this together soley on photographic merit, there would be a lot of redundancy of the usual suspects - including Laufenberg & Gloden's Les Pauls. And that drummers are ridiculously difficult to photograph, unless you're going to get up on stage. And let's face it, I'm just not that guy. So unfortunately I don't have photos of Chico, Dan Petrossino or Phil Rhodes good enough to make the cut. Which is a real shame.

But without further ado...

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Corey Gloden (Strange Young Things)
PF Chang's Rock N' Roll Marathon, Phoenix, AZ (January 16, 2011)

Glodie "takin' it to the streets".

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Johnathan Scott Howard (Tramps & Thieves)
Corey Gloden's Birthday Bash - Yucca Tap Room, Tempe, AZ - January 28, 2011

So yeah, it's only Scotty's foot. But I love this photo.

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Mark Zubia & Paul Cardone (Los Guys)
Sunday A'Fair - Scottsdale Civic Center, Scottsdale, AZ - February 27, 2011

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Josh Kennedy (The Black Moods)
Martini Ranch, Scottsdale, AZ - Feb 21, 2011

2011 didn't see me snap the ellusive Josh Kennedy "airtime" photo. Maybe in 2012. But still, there were plenty great ones of Josh, with this one probably being the best.

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Shelby James
St. Patricks Day, RT O'Sullivan's, Mesa, AZ - March 17, 2011

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Tramps & Thieves
St. Patricks Day, RT O'Sullivan's, Mesa, AZ - March 17, 2011

No prizes for guessing they were doing Galloping Hearts when this was shot.

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Thomas Laufenberg (The Persuaders)
Hard Rock Cafe, Phoenix, AZ - April 8, 2011

Laufenberg rocking a suit and gold Les Paul.

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Marc Norman (Ghetto Cowgirl)
The Sail Inn, Tempe, AZ - Apr 13, 2011

"Then comes my birthday and I'll be reborn"

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Walt Richardson
The Avenue Screening, The Sail Inn, Tempe, AZ - May 13, 2011

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Josh Kennedy & Stephen Ashbrook
The Spirit Room, Jerome, AZ - May 15, 2011

Now THAT's rock 'n roll.

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Emmett DeGuvera
O'Donoghues Pub, Scottsdale, AZ - May 21, 2011

Stick singing about his feelings.

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Lawrence Zubia (The Persuaders)
Tempe Tavern, Tempe, AZ - June 6, 2011

Probably the best rock photo I've taken in 2011. Given how many times we've seen The Persuaders this year, I'm not surprised it's one of LZ.

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Rich Hopkins & The Luminarios
Teakwoods Tavern & Grill, Phoenix, AZ - June 4, 2011

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Jim Swafford (The Persuaders)
District Stage, Tempe Marketplace, Tempe, AZ - August 5, 2011

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Joe Pena (Greyhound Soul)
The Sail Inn, Tempe, AZ - July 2, 2011

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Andrew Brown
The Sail Inn, Tempe, AZ - July 2, 2011

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Marc Norman (Ghetto Cowgirl)
The Sail Inn, Tempe, AZ - July 2, 2011

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Curtis Grippe (The Persuaders - of sorts)
LZ's Open Mic Night - Tempe Tavern, Tempe, AZ - August 10, 2011

"The Grip" sitting in with three fifths of The Persuaders.

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Jamie Woolford (The Stereo)
Long Wongs @ The Firehouse, Tempe, AZ - September 3, 2011

Jamie Woolford fronting coolest reunion show of 2011. My face still hurts.

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Corey Gloden & Patrick Kelly (Strange Young Things)
Steal The Show - The Rogue Bar, Scottsdale, AZ - September 9, 2011

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Marc Norman & The Marc Normans (Ghetto Cowgirl)
Long Wongs @ The Firehouse, Tempe, AZ - October 26, 2011

The most fun you can have while wearing a Marc Norman wig. [smile]

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Adam Gross (Strange Young Things)
Halloween - Long Wongs @ The Firehouse, Tempe, AZ - October 29, 2011

If you haven't done Halloween with Strange Young Things, you haven't done Halloween. This was my third year in a row, so just trust me on this.

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Emmett DeGuvera & Mark Zubia
Crescent Ballroom, Phoenix, AZ - November, 13 2011

I don't know who set up the lighting at Crescent. But the photographer in me thanks you.

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Scott Andrews & Mark Zubia (Los Guys)
Tempe Tavern, Tempe, AZ - December 24, 2011

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Lawrence & Mark Zubia (The Persuaders)
Tempe Tavern, Tempe, AZ - December 24, 2011

That long last lonely mile gets everyone smilin'.
Dec
19
2011

Growth Spurts

(Add / View Comments) (0)PhotosPhotosMonday, December 19, 2011 - 12:33:15 am
(Posted Under: This Desert Life This Desert Life)
On Friday, Genevelyn's new lights arrived. And over the weekend we finished getting her new house set up, which concludes effectively a 3 week long project.

When they say how quick beardies grow, they're not screwing around. This is a shot of our little girl 2 days after we got her, in her original terrerium.

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That tiny little lizard is just a memory. Here she is today, 6 and a half months later, in her new home. And yes, that is the same rock, for reference.

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They grow up so fast! [wink]
Now Playing: Strange Young Things - Suitcase
Dec
17
2011

Christmas Shopping

(Add / View Comments) (0)Saturday, December 17, 2011 - 08:56:46 am
(Posted Under: This Desert Life This Desert Life, Instagram Instagram)
Headed out to Old Town Scottsdale to do some Christmas shopping. Much like the last time we were down there for shopping - which I do believe was for Christmas last year...how time flies - there was street music on the corner by the Mexican Imports place. Got to love that.

However, it got better, as while we were browsing inside Mexican Imports a mariachi band took over from the keyboard player / singer. Awesome.

At some point they started playing Feliz Navidad. I've got to say, I'm already going tired of the Christmas tunes being played everywhere thanks to corporate America. But this...this I enjoyed. I would say it's, to me, the most festive thing I've heard this whole season. Love it.

And although we were Christmas shopping, we did have to get something for ourselves. These had to be ours, there just wasn't two ways about it...

[image:img src="http://distilleryimage6.s3.amazonaws.com/98c5b4fc292011e1abb01231381b65e3_7.jpg" class="large" /]
Now Playing: Jimmy Eat World - The World You Love
Dec
13
2011

Mink Rebellion Reunion

(Add / View Comments) (7)Tuesday, December 13, 2011 - 08:49:55 am
(Posted Under: Tempe Music Scene Tempe Music Scene, Music Music)
I saw something about this on Sunday night on Facebook, which ignited some excitement. And the Martini Ranch website confirmed it. But something this good just seems too good to be true. However, this flier seems to confirm it.



I was pissed when Mink reunited a mere 3 months before heading Stateside. But it is all good now. It's also pretty amazing it came up when it had, since it was on Sunday, driving around trying to source reptile lighting that I mentioned how much I miss seeing Bobby.
Now Playing: Violet Wild - Invention
Dec
11
2011

Las Noches De Las Luminarias

(Add / View Comments) (0)Sunday, December 11, 2011 - 10:17:16 pm
(Posted Under: This Desert Life This Desert Life, Instagram Instagram)
It's been a whirlwind weekend, and I don't think either of us were sure about finishing it out with Las Noches De Las Luminarias. However, it turned out that it was a welcomed retreat from the disaster zone that is our apartment, and all responsibilities. There was no hope of relaxing tonight otherwise, so the stroll around the Botanical Gardens lit by Luminaries was such a good thing.

To boot, my camera is still being repaired, hence I was without something to shoot with this year. I wasn't even going to bother with the Coolpix. I must admit, it was a nice change. And my wife definitely appreciated it. I'll probably look forward to having again for next years, but enjoying the gardens and not worrying about that killer shot was welcomed. Of course, I whipped out the iPhone for a couple though.

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With how hectic today had been, we didn't actually get out there until after 7. But amazingly made it around the gardens reasonably easily. That was another upside of being camera less.

With that said, there was so much great music, and definitely tonight we would have enjoyed sitting around and watching more of each performer. With only a couple of hours, it's not a viable option, but it'd be nice if it was. It also never ceases to amaze me that whenever I see the Sugar Thieves, I can't help but blurt out how amazing Meredith is. Given how many times I've seen them, you'd think it the need to say that would subside, but alas it hasn't.

Dec
10
2011

Rock For Tots

(Add / View Comments) (0)Saturday, December 10, 2011 - 11:59:18 pm
(Posted Under: Tempe Music Scene Tempe Music Scene, Music Music, Live Shows)
Rock For Tots was great tonight. Appears to have been a mammoth turn out this year.

The Black Moods were certainly the band of the night. Great performance, huge response from everybody. Definitely my favorite part of the night. Second notably act in my mind were Thousand Yard Stare. I don't know their stuff really, but they impress me every year, which really begs the question of why I haven't looked into their stuff yet.

Other notable part of the night was seeing Twelve playing with The Persuaders! ha!
Dec
10
2011

Eclipse

(Add / View Comments) (0)Saturday, December 10, 2011 - 07:55:36 am
(Posted Under: This Desert Life This Desert Life, Instagram Instagram)
This is one for the books - we crashed at 8pm last night. I don't remember the last time I've done that! A big part of the motivation for that was to catch the 'impossible' eclipse this morning.

So we were up early and heading out to Papago, specifically Hole In The Rock. As far as the eclipse went, it was a non event for us. Katie saw the moon briefly driving down Hardy, but that's the most that either of us saw, despite getting out to Papago before 7:20am, which was apparently when it was supposed to be in full swing. Maybe we should have gone earlier.

But alas, not all was lost, since sunrise over the valley is pretty fucking spectacular by itself. Definitely worth it, even though we didn't see any of the eclipse.

I think I'm going to have to do this again once I get my DSLR back.

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Dec
07
2011

Wikipedia

Rants

(Add / View Comments) (0)Wednesday, December 7, 2011 - 05:34:33 pm
(Posted Under: No Category)
It's that time of year again - when I want to punch anyone that works at Wikipedia in the face.

I really need to write a Privoxy rule the squish their yearly personal appeals.
Dec
07
2011

Rock For Tots 7

(Add / View Comments) (0)Wednesday, December 7, 2011 - 08:34:25 am
(Posted Under: Tempe Music Scene Tempe Music Scene, Music Music)
Coming up this Saturday, a great night for a great cause. Be there!

Dec
04
2011

Christmas Cactus

(Add / View Comments) (0)Sunday, December 4, 2011 - 08:03:08 pm
(Posted Under: This Desert Life This Desert Life, Instagram Instagram)
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