I Got the Music In Me!

This month, I received a nice write up in the local paper for my latest record, "From Obscurity To Global Domination In Three EASY Steps." I was recognized on the street as that fat bald guy in a band by some dork I didn't know. It made me feel special.

Next, out of the blue, I was asked to play bass for the pit band for the high school's production of "Little Shop Of Horrors." We've had a practice already, and the guys I'm playing with are really talented, so I feel a little out of place. Okay, that was me smiling to myself cuz I rock! No, a little humility is needed because these guys are seriously talented, and have played together for years and you can tell it. However, I think I fit in pretty good, and we seem to all have the right idea.

Anyhow, I'll let you know how that goes.

Old Friends and New Catchphrases....

This weekend, our super friends the Aimones (Tony, Annie, Isabella and Bruno) and our awesome friends the Rodgers and Smiths (Mike, Susan, and Molly) came to our house for an extra crunchy plate of happy fun good time. I heard that before. That's what she said! Oh my God! Aaaahhhhhh! Ting ting!

That's what happens when old college friends and their kids get together for a long weekend. That translates to "we had a great time, laughed ourselves silly, ate great food and drank some drinks." All the kids played their DS's, we stayed up late playing cards and telling stories, and eventually everybody retired to their rooms and slept like logs until morning.

Annie has gotten me interested in getting on facebook, which I probably will do. Annie, if you are reading this, please make sure to send me the pictures you took.

The Kids At The Park....

A few weeks ago, it looked like we had seen the last of the freezing weather. On a breezy, very mild March day, I took the kids with me to a function at my work. On the way to the event, we stopped at a terrific park in Carbondale. It is a memorial park developed by the family who lives next to the park. Their son, Jeremy, died on the busy road by their house. The park was set aside as a safe place for kids to play, and is based on the boy's drawings.

Nut Doesn't Fall Far From The Apple Tree...

or something like that. Carl went to the regional concert band contest, and played a solo piece on saxophone. He was rated a first, which means he will move on to state, which will involve playing the piece from memory. He is excited and a little nervous about that.

When he played his piece, he really displayed a good control over note, tone, and phrasing. That is hard to do at his age. I was really proud of how well he performed.

They wouldn't allow pictures or video of the event, so you'll just have to take my word for it. On the way back home, I took him out to eat, and then let him buy some Heroclix superhero figures. That made the whole trip worthwhile for him.

Was It Our Anniversary?

Saturday, March 14th was Lara's and my 18th wedding anniversary. We went out and saw a movie, then had a nice dinner. It so happens that our anniversary is also Lara's Dad's birthday, so after dinner, we called and wished him a great day. Although Lara and I were both tired, it was a good day.

We've Gone To The Dogs....

Okay, that was a pretty stupid post title, hokey and cheap, but I couldn't resist the cheap pun....

Here are Buster and Lucky, with a little extra thrown in at the end...

Thre Trees Are Gone But Spring Has Come

Well,

After the ice storm, our trees were badly damaged. We have taken at least six piles of limbs and branches debris (piles about six feet tall and 20 feet long)out of our yards. However, this last week, it feels like Spring has arrived, and the tree service people finally got around to doing the job we contracted for the DAY OF THE ICE STORM! (A little lesson I learned from this: When you hire for a job, get a specific date from your contractor for work, and then inform them if they don't get it done by then, you will call someone else).

Anyway, the trees are now gone, but life goes on. Spring flowers have begun to bloom.

Kids Music Programs...

This month, Carl participated in a region wide honor band, and the girls participated in their school music program.

Here come the pictures!

The pictures really won't do it justice, nor will they communicate the general dumbfounded awe one experiences as an ice storm destroys your town (well, all of the region) with the force of a tornado, but the speed of a tortoise.

We Survived The 2009 Ice Storm, And All I Got Was This Lousy Hotel Bill

Hello, folks,

The Pugh family weathered the Ice Storm of 2009 (as they are calling it) with only minor bumps and bruises.

What, you didn't know? I guess this event made me aware that bad weather news is only newsworthy if it's in your backyard. I mean, landslides in California? Two feet of snow in Buffalo? Minus 40 in Portland, Maine? Nobody here cares about that. So, three inches of ice in Metropolis? If it didn't stop the Superbowl, then who cares? Not that I mind. Everybody does that, and everybody should. You should care for what happens right here, right now. That's enough to put on anyone's plate. It is hard to actually understand what living through a tough event is like, and empathy is good, but doesn't quite cut actually being there. I wouldn't wish it on anyone, but listening and watching through the night as trees groaned and snapped, with ice raining down like shrapnel and limbs amputated by the jagged burden of weight to fall dead on the spines of houses, giftwraps the knowledge that you are transitory and subject to the whim of Nature, and delivers this gift right to your front door. Even high flying prosody like that crap I just wrote hardly captures the shadow of the experience.

Actually, lots of people called, checked in, and generally offered support, for which we are thankful. Later, when I have the time, I will post some pictures of the damage!

Roger