Running Mates

While perusing the pages of the International Herald Tribune this week an article discussing Obama's "top secret" search for a running mate caught my eye. He's chosen Jim Johnson, the former CEO of Fannie Mae, to begin evaluating potential vice presidential candidates. Johnson did the same job for Mondale in '84 and Kerry in '04.

Potential picks for Obama include, among others, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, who was one of the most successful mayors Richmond has seen in the last 20 years, and Virginia Senator Jim Webb, who was an essential player in getting the new "Post 9/11 GI Bill" passed in both the House and Senate last week.

Now that the race for Dem party nominee is finally nearing an end the next few months should prove to be very interesting. November is much closer than it seems.

Invisible War

I read an incredibly telling op/ed blog post by Timothy Egan in Wednesday's New York Times titled The Invisible War that I'd recommend. The post highlights what many of us already know, that the Bush administration has tried everything in their power to hide as much about the war in Iraq as possible. Also discussed are the sacrifices the American people aren't having to make in support of our troops and the ridiculousness of ole GW giving up golf as an act of solidarity for the troops and their families. How about giving up one of your daughters to the cause, GW? Or admitting you're a spineless money grubbing coward? The truth hurts, but lies, deceit and ignorance are are much more painful.


Of the 200+ comments following the post, I found this one from Adirondax to be one of the most succinct of the group. "Let's fight the first battles where they need to be fought. With words that frame the real truth, so that we can begin to have a productive discussion about where we are, how we got here, and what we can do about it now. "

New on the Tube

This is a sweet little video on the making of the new My Morning Jacket album Evil Urges and the creation of their 2008 tour.

I can't get enough of this band. This is, hands down, the #1 anticipated album and show for me this year. Though I doubt that is much of a surprise to anyone who knows me.

It's never too late

I knew I'd been away from the blogosphere for too long when I learned today, in a concert notice email, that Jim James and the My Morning Jacket boys are dropping a new record on June 10. They've been performing cuts from Evil Urges on recent tour stops -- and are slated to perform on SNL this weekend. Stereogum has a sweet sampling of videos from their recent stop in Houston. I let out a little squeal today at work when I read about the show at Charlottesville Pavilion on September 2. The perfect way to close the summer -- that hasn't even begun!

So, it's the elephant in the room. The masses are asking. Were the hell have I been?

I flew out to see my very good friend Jeremy in San Diego in March. It was the first stop on my week long trip to St. Maarten. I know. It's not logical to travel west to go east, but stick with me on this. The moment I landed, the weather moved in. There were severe thunderstorms and massive size hail. It was practically biblical. This is what happens when a member of my family travels. Freakish things.

St. Maarten was fantastically relaxing. And, did I mention free? As in all expenses paid sort of free. As in charge it to the room that I ain't paying for it, FREE. I am forever spoiled. When I left San Diego in my first class seat and while eating my first class breakfast I actually felt sorry for the chumps back in coach. I'd always been one of those chumps, scrunched into a seat, unable to stretch. But not this time. I was the one in the front of the plane. With ALL the leg room. And, the blankets. And, the actual warm nuts that are all warm and all mine. And, those very lovely double cocktails.

The Westin at Dawn Beach was typically lovely. We had beautiful weather. Spent some time at the spa. Got a little sun. Then, we ate. Vacation is the supreme appetite stimulant. Sit around, do nothing and suddenly you're starving. And thirsty. Jeremy enjoyed many mango daiquiris. I cranked back El Presidente. Uh, huh. That's right. I can have whatever I want at no cost to me and I'm ordering the official beer of Puerto Rico -- in a can. Classy.

The week I returned from my adventure in the Caribbean I got my first chance to see the newly restored National Theater which also happens to be the newest, and my new favorite, music venue in town. Several of my friends are loyal Drive By Truckers fans have been listening to them and going to shows for years. Until this show, I was a mere casual fan. Knowing only the songs I'd heard while with my friends and truly loving only one, I had few expectations for their live show. It started off slow and then exploded into a fantastically loud and fun southern rock onslaught. The guitar player who replaced Isbell was phenomenal. He was off to stage left and seemed to blend into the equipment but his sound was crazy. There was one other friend in the group who was losing his DBT virginity that night and his eyes were glazed over with love at the end. The encore was the highlight of the entire night. All eight glorious songs of it, including 18 Wheels of Love, my favorite. It's an ever changing story woven into song and Patterson Hood gave us an extended version, expanding on the story of Chester and his mom. Mama totally ran off with that trucker!

I've found myself on several volunteer assignments lately. And this past weekend's assignment tops 'em all. My friend Alyssa and I signed on to volunteer at the Richmond Ballet's Annual Kentucky Derby party at Rockett's Landing. They needed people to sell raffle tickets, assist with the silent auction and check people in. Al and I scored raffle ticket duty at a table facing all the action and right next to the bar. As there was another, much more pushy raffle ticket saleslady at a table closer to the food, very few people were buying from us. This left us ample time for several rounds of people watching games, eg. Who Would You Do? and the ever popular, How Much Money Would it Take For You To _____ ? Don't judge, I'm helping my community, while drinking bourbon drinks. Lots of 'em.

Don't think I'm that terrible. I've put my sweat equity into my community too. A rebuilding project, time at the Food Bank, helped out with the 10k, really early in the morning. I considered the bourbon drinks and fantastic people watching -- think cute male ballet dancers -- a reward for my selfless giving.

My final words in regards to my extended and unexplained absence is one part lack of inspiration and another part lack of motivation. I hope to have discovered both again. If you're still out there, thanks for sticking with me.