Happy New Year

2006 sounds so futuristic, doesn't it? Where the hell is my robot? Or my flying car? Actually, the robot thing is doable. I read (in PopSci, of course) that the newest version of the Roomba vacuum cleaner will have a port where you can plug in a small computer and do some hacking to be able to control it with your Bluetooth cell phone, or program where you want it to go. You could attach a webcam to it, and have a home security system. Sweet.

Last week I stayed at my dad's place for Xmas. It was fun. They have about 30 movie channels on their digital cable, so when I'm just chillin' there, I usually catch a movie I've been wanting to see but didn't know if it was actually worth the 4 dollar rental (or Netflix queue space). But last week, guess what was on? The Garbage Pail Kids Movie! Holy crap, I was so excited. I saw it in the theater when I was about 9. I still have a small box of cards, too. Let me say, it was one of the most horribly terrific movies I've seen in a long time. One of those that is so bad, that it's actually watchable because you know they weren't even trying to make a decent movie. Man, it brought back memories. Greaser Greg was my favorite in that flick. They also had Foul Phil, Ali Gator, Nat Nerd... awesome.

Well, this year was pretty freakin sweet. Although it started with the official demise of B.o.r.d. (RIP) in January, that at least left me open to do other projects and expand my music... ality? Sure, that's a word. "Government Zero" now has almost a complete setlist which still needs work, but we should be playing a show within, I'd say, 2 months. Also, I've been writing a lot of really poppy oldies-punk rock and roll type songs for a project I've dubbed "Eddie Ate Dynamite." I think that one will be something where I will attempt to do some good recordings playing all the instruments myself. If it works out, I may hunt down some musicians to put together a live show for that.

I also did "The Stint" with Dan from Rattbelly (and the Dark Clan and Null Device and Stromkern and... how many fuckin bands is that guy in!?) which was shitloads of fun, and a real challenge. I think setting a deadline was the key to getting it done. I hate to be the guy that's a stickler for a set schedule for things like that, but I think maybe setting some "due dates" for GZero will help us speed this shit up. I really want to play again, and I don't know if I'll be able to round up anyone for Spoof Fest again this year. We'll see. Maybe I need a year off. So anyway, Dan convinced me to start yet ANOTHER band with him, so we'll see how that pans out. We both have some kick-ass shit to bring to the table, so there's no telling what'll come of it. Plus, I've always wanted to do a Rattbelly cover. :)

Well, thanks to everyone who made this a great year. January gave me and E a chance to take a nice trip to Florida, thanks to stepdad Ken's timeshare. Rock! Spoof Fest in April was awesome. Playing bass with The Culture Club rocked. Tinker (who was Boy George) and the rest of the guys kick ass and we're so fun to work with. Trivia in Stevens Point was awesome (a radio trivia contest where we got together with about 8 friends in a hotel room and didn't sleep all weekend while we fed on junk food and soda and surfed online to find out what the sign on Napolean Dynamite's bedroom door said!). Our Halloween party was a total success with beer a-flowin' and chocolate a-fountainin'!

To top it all off, I turned 27 and haven't yet OD'd on heroine, like the rockstar I am. (Or would like to believe I am!). So, on that note, let me knock on wood, because I only have until my 28th birthday - October 19th, 2006 (the FUTURE, CONAN?) to make my first million with one of my bands before I die a tragic rockstar death in a trashed hotel room with hookers and coke and burned lampshades and broken bottles of Jack Daniels all around. Wish me luck, and Happy Fuckin' New Year!

Walmart

I just got back from seeing the Madison musical WALMARTOPIA at the Bartell Theater on Mifflin. Oh man, it was some funny stuff. Wednesday is student discount day, so I pulled out my dusty old ID from the UW (I'll never throw that thing away!) and got in for 5 bucks. Dan and Bill from Government Zero (that's my BAND, assholes!) also got in cheap, cause they both work at Walmart (sucks for them!). I highly recommend it. I think it's playing one more Wednesday, too. But it's worth 15 bucks if you go another night. The songs are catchy and fun, and one of the characters is Sam Walton's severed head (think "Futurama"). haha.. It plays until the 14th. What's funny is that I just stepped into a Walmart for the first time in a couple years probably just the other day. I had to return a movie. 40 Year Old Virgin. But c'mon, loving brother Dan - FULL SCREEN? What kinda movie guy you think I am? haha. I took the cash and will buy the widescreen version (probably cheaper, too) online somewhere, so the greedy bastards at Walmart won't get the money. bwahaha! Did you know that Vermont declared itself a Historical Landmark so that no Walmarts could be built there? I'm not sure if it's completely Walmart-free, but no new ones can be built. There are some other fun facts on the various anti-Walmart sites you can find online. Fun read. More on my cynical view of big business and my cynical view in general (which I'm really trying to change, I mean it!) on my next post. I need to get some sleep. "I got a big day tomorrow... a pretty nice little Saturday, we're going to go to Home Depot. Yeah, buy some wallpaper, maybe get some flooring, stuff like that. Maybe Bed, Bath, & Beyond, I don't know, I don't know if we'll have enough time."

He-Bay

Just in case anyone's curious, this is what I'm selling. I kept Castle Grayskull and about 7 or 8 of the best figures. I figure I'll make back at least most of what I spent on the entire lot on Ebay about a year ago. Fun times! Well, I better get to sleep. Got Government Zero practice tomorrow, then this weekend it's the lesbian party. Gotta get the cameras ready. More on that later... Hey, anyone wanna see Walmartopia with me? It sounds pretty funny and cheesy, and I'll go on Wednesday when it's only 5 bucks with a student ID. I still have mine! Bill and Dan from GZ both work at Walmart, so they get in for 5 bucks for any show. Kick ass! I'll let y'all know how it is.

Guffman

Anyone seen Waiting For Guffman? I watched it tonight, courtesy of Netflix. Pretty funny shit. That Christopher Guest is hilarious. And it rocks that he and the other Spinal Tap guys wrote all the music again. You know, I think I like Mighty Wind even better than Spinal Tap. Guffman wasn't as good, but still worth watching. You can't NOT like Eugene Levy and Catherine O'hara and all the other actors in the Christopher Guest posse. I hope that guy keeps making the mockumentaries for years to come!

Haven't talked about politics in a while. I'm too tired for it now. I should be sleeping. But here's something that will make you laugh, whether you're a lefty, righty, or one of us few and proud who don't label ourselves as anything because we realize that, as Extreme would tell us, there are 3 sides to every story.