Wow. Here we go with the cliche opening sentence of all blogs: So life has been pretty crazy the past two months. No, really. I had a really stupendous 35th birthday thanks to my new wife, Meghan. Truly a great day.
My friends gave me a fun bachelor party wherein we toured the downtown river area on Segway scooters, which were way more excellent than I'd have ever guessed. Uber-nerdy fun. Video gaming and drinks followed later. No tittie bars for this guy, thanks. Not that I don't like... well, anyway. Then it was trying to finish up some projects before The Big Day on November 6th, which I feel I just barely accomplished. But they got done.
I found a most amazing vintage suit from the early 1900's at Via's Vintage Wear that fit me almost perfectly. I had the pants tailored at Top Shelf in Uptown and they did a fabulous job. I'd recommend them for any alterations you might need. Originally the plan had been for a vintage shark skin suit, ala The Rat Pack, but this suit was just too keen to pass up with pants, vest, and jacket with swallowtails crafted from a gorgeous dark wool cloth. That, and the fact that all the shark skin suits were way oversized.
The wedding day was glitch-free and super fun but went by SO darn fast, even at my insistence and denial that it would do exactly that. Our private ceremony at the Landmark Center was so perfect and touching and emotional and we were married by the person who is sort of responsible for Meghan and I meeting, Nancy. We cried. Or were on the verge at times. In a good way. I didn't see Meghan at all prior to the wedding and she knocked my socks off when she entered the room. The reception/dinner at The Great Hall was very enjoyable. My friend E-rock DJ'd for us and did a great job, Jack and Rob video'd, Bill ran the vintage Super-8 B&W film camera, Rich did the photography, Uncle Mike did the photobooth, Jan did the flowers, and so many family and friends pitched in with help and were in attendence having a good time... whew. THANKS! The St. Paul Hotel that night was just wonderful. Our brunch the next day for friends and relatives was peachy as we actually got to talk to people for more than four minutes. So much generousity, too, we were blown away (we got the toaster!) And then it was over...
... and we were off on our Honeymoon to Costa Rica! Erupting volcanoes, parrots, toucans, a sloth with a baby within our reach, iguanas, vultures, white water rafting, horseback riding to a giant waterfall, rainforest and cloudforest canopy tours, zip lines, isolated gorgeous Caribbean-coast beaches, private bungalow in the rainforest hillside overlooking the ocean, amazing vegetarian meals, yoga, biking along the coast, hummingbirds, butterflys, fresh juicy fruits, and howler monkeys. Oh my. The camera issue is under investigation.
Then Thanksgiving with all the families last week... you can understand why I'm breathless, worn out and coming down with a wicked sore throat. Better drink some more lemon ginger echinacea juice and get to bed. I've got to give some training sessions in the morning. Hope my voice works. G'night.

We're pooped.... and married!

I feel real head-achey, but just heard a rumor from a friend that about 40 minutes ago First Avenue, the local music venue of fame, closed its doors due to bankruptcy. Rumors have flown before so I'll post more as info becomes available. If true, this sucks on par with Rev 105 getting sold. Argh.
Here's an mp3 of their phone message with details: First Ave Answering Machine
Ok, according to the Strib, they filed Chapter 7, two days before they were to vacate the building! "A Chapter 7 bankruptcy is essentially a liquidation of a company's assets with the intention of ending the company, as opposed to a Chapter 11 filing, which is meant to keep businesses going."
"Fingerhut was evicted by First Avenue's landlords over unpaid real-estate taxes and rent. Two of those landlords are former managers Steve McClellan and Jack Meyer, who plan to start a new company to run the club... Fingerhut said he does not plan to give the liquor license necessary to operate the club... Fingerhut also does not want to hand over the name of the club, although the name is now part of the assets that are part of the bankruptcy trust." Man, how could they fight so much internally as to risk the life of such a musical institution?

When Conservatives attack, it ain't pretty. This morning, on the way downtown, just prior to our arrival there was an accident on 394. Happens all the time, right? The car, a dark Saturn or similar, was completely munched in on both front and back ends. And I mean really munched. What was different in this case was that it appeared to be the result of a bunch of zealots up on the pedestrian overpass waving their pro-Bush signs around. They've been up there a lot lately, much to my displeasure. As we passed under the bridge they were quickly removing their signs and high-tailing it out of there. Figures. I hope the people in the car are OK and I gotta hope the causers of the crash get punished.

Savage Aural Hotbed has long been a favorite local band of mine, even though I've not seen them in ages. They do "precision drumming" according to some, industrial taiko-style drumming according to others. Either way, they put on a hell of a show. Now they can take it mobile with a portable WiFi, er, WiMax, truck. Doubly awesome. I need to see them play again...