gt4pics_jan2007_002.JPG

gt4pics_jan2007_002.JPG, originally uploaded by sideshoweric.

Lake Baikal at Darling Hall

Lake Baikal at Darling Hall, originally uploaded by RumAli.

This past weekend, me and Steve (as the Batten Revue) played our first show of the year with Kocho-Bisexual and Lake Baikal at Darling Hall.

My performance, for the record, was incredibly sloppy. Typical that most everybody thought we sounded really good. Blame it on the sound system. Put blame it too, sort of, for causing the show to be sloppy. My microphone cable was a bit taut - too short to reach, really - and I kept pushing the microphone further and further away such that it may it impossible for me to sing and sit. Yes, I sing and sit. But I have to because I'm playing foot pedals.

I didn't want to ramble on like that about BR's performance.

Kocho Bi-Sexual, from Detroit, was great. It's a two-person band. Main instrument is a Hammond. They used the arpeggiator incredibly well. The singing, often done two to a microphone, was awesome. I bought their CD and it nearly compares - although you do not get the dancing.

Lake Baikal was loud. A good onslaught. A good tide. Ebbed and flowed. I wish I had my ear plugs so I could plug up my ears properly. Instead, I just had my fingers. I eschewed using rolled up pieces of toilet paper. I had to deal with the fear that I'm subjecting my ears to more germs than usual.

It was only until the next day that I was told that one of the members of Lake Baikal was Monica's ex-boyfriend. Hmm. This was the guy that I had described as "rugged." Yeah, I think that was the term. Monica and I actually had a big disagreement over that. Well, I stand by that term. His music, while maybe not "rugged" per se, was definitely "masculine."

Rooftop Deck at Carriage House

Rooftop Deck at Carriage House, originally uploaded by RumAli.

My partner and I went to the American Club in January. It was really indulgent and awesome. It cost a grip.

Calder at the Pittsburgh Airport

Calder at the Pittsburgh Airport, originally uploaded by RumAli.

There's nothing like being at an airport with your mate. Coming or going, it's one of the best things about being in a relationship.

Opponent and Director

Opponent and Director, originally uploaded by RumAli.

I took this picture prior to continuing what would be my second longest losing streak in tournament Scrabble. I would lose to the woman in the foreground, Harmony Kuller, because, I reasoned, I began to doubt my Scrabble instincts because of my losing streak. I know the words but I don't have an refined instinct for playing the game. It comes in flashes, is nowhere near consistent. I need to make the commitment to hone this instinct.

Harmony played the word OVERRING and I held it but let it go.

Statue of Franco Harris (Detail)

Statue of Franco Harris (Detail), originally uploaded by RumAli.

Sarah dropped me off at the Pittsburgh Airport to successfully compete a stage of Krazy Kristmas. I was pleased to be in this airport, finally ... after hearing that it used to be a mall.

People in Pittsburgh sure love their Steelers. The day I was at the airport was game day, a Sunday, and a lot of the airport workers, irregardles of airline, where wearing Pittsburgh Steelers-related clothing.