After Hophead proposed, of course, I was thinking about the next step… how and when we would get married. I figured a year or so is normal, right? We had just gotten home and stopped over to see my parents when Dad said, “Why wait? Mother and I got married only three months after I proposed” and he walked away.

Hmmmmm… Yeah why wait?

You know it’s amazing how life still goes on and keeps moving no matter what anyone has going on in their life. The Fall season was approaching and this is such a fun time with so many festivals going on. We found out about this Festival in Frederick with Blind Melon headlining but even better is The Amish Outlaws, they are a favorite of ours. We immediately hit the beer garden for some Flying Dogs and started getting hungry. We sent Ginja off in search of what kind of foods this place was offering but then the rain started.

It rained for a good while but we got shelter in the hay pavilion. One of the vendors decided the rain wasn’t going to hurt their profits and decided to take orders from people hiding from the rain. Smart idea cause we took them up on it. Because of that vendor we waited for the rain to stop and just when it did The Amish Outlaws started playing.

Ginja had never seen them perform and I was excited for her to have The Amish Outlaw experience. They finished up with Dropkick Murphy’s ‘Shipping up to Boston’. We were having a blast and didn’t care about the rain. Afterwards Brother Eazy Ezekiel came down to the masses to hand out bumper stickers. I was so excited I ran up to get one and slipped. As I was going down I was determined not to get my shorts muddy. Eazy looked at me and said “Eeeewwww here have two stickers!”

How embarrassing!

When I got up I looked over at Hophead and said “I think I may have hurt myself… Let’s go get another beer“. Unfortunately, the beer didn’t help like I was hoping. Leaving the beer garden I was having a hard time walking and Hophead had to help me get over to the aid station. They were so excited to help me get to the car because they had a shiny new cherry red golf cart and I was the first to get a ride in it.

So Hophead and Ginja took me to the ER and according to Ginja I was funny cause I was still buzzing from my beers. I may have had a buzz but I was feeling stupid and in my mind I was entertaining them. I figured I pulled something and this meant I was not running in the morning and this was going to screw up any plans of running for a while since sprains take forever to heal. Imagine my surprise when the Doctor came over and said “Well you broke it but at least you don’t need surgery“.

Shut the Front Door!

That week after breaking the ankle was a real tough one, the best part was we set a wedding date of November 5th… 2011.

The Amish Outlaws played Saturday night at Seacrets and as always they RAWKED the house.

Pictures are coming out of the weekend… OMG!

I do believe this picture is a precursor of the upcoming ShamrockFEST.

Photo by John Duffy

Oh and Happy Birthday Jay Wood! Hopefully, next time you won’t get kicked out of Seacrets.

The night you came into my life
Well it took the bones of me, took the bones of me
You blew away my storm and strife
And shook the bones of me, shook the bones of me
By the way, I do know why you stayed away…
I will keep tongue-tied next time

Live a life less ordinary
Live a life extraordinary with me
My face had said too much
Before our hands could even touch
To greet a ‘hello’
(So much for going slow…)
A little later on that year
I told you that I loved you dear
What do you know?
This you weren’t prepared to hear
I’m a saddened man, I’m a broken boy
I’m a toddler with a complex toy
I’ve fallen apart, since the ambush of your heart

The night you came into my life
Well it took the bones of me, took the bones of me
You blew away my storm and strife
And shook the bones of me, shook the bones of me.
By the way, I do know why you stayed away
I will keep tongue-tied but…

Honey understand, honey understand
I won’t make demands
Honey understand, honey understand
We could walk without a plan.
Honey understand (honey), honey understand
I won’t rest in stone all alone
Honey understand, honey understand
I’m all ready to go
But you already know…

Live a life less ordinary
Live a life extraordinary with me.
If I could name you in this song
Would it make you smile and sing along?
This is the goal: to get into your soul
If I could make you dance for joy
Could that be the second-chance decoy?
The bird-in-hand I would need
To help you understand?

The night you came into my life
well it took the bones of me, took the bones of me
You blew away my storm and strife
And shook the bones of me, shook the bones of me
By the way, I do know why you stayed away
I will keep tongue-tied next time

Just sayin…  

SHAMROCKFEST!!!!

I’ll be quite frank when I say I wasn’t that interested in going this year but then I checked out the line up. Here’s just a taste:

• The Roots 
• Train 
• Scythian
• Carbon Leaf
• Seven Nations 
• Mr. Greengenes
• Donegal Express 
• Enter the Haggis
• Dr. FU

OMG!!!!

This line up is off the hook. I mean Train!?!? With “Hey, Soul Sister” in the top ten right now and they will be celebrating with lil ole us?

I love that this year is more diverse, Rock, Irish, Blues, Retro and Folk music. A leetle something for everyone and I love it all.

Sweet Motha of Gawd!

I’m so freaking excited.

Plus:

• 40+ bands and djs
• 10 massive stages
• Dozens of party areas
• Activities
• Strolling entertainers
• Irish Village – with all your favorite Irish bars
• Shamrock Pub Games
• NCAA basketball viewing tents
• Tons of beer trucks serving a variety of brands
• Visit the D.C. United interactive tent
• Acres of food & beverage vendors
• Much, much, lots more!

Oh and have you heard?  It’s a little hush hush right now but I know you won’t tell… yet.

There’s a new addition to the line up…

Maybe you’ve heard of them?

Currently, they are touring with the Black Eyed Peas.

LMFAO!!!!

Two Irish fist pumps up!

Now I just have to find someone to tag along with me.

Have I mentioned… SO EXCITED!!!! You know that funny feeling in your tummy kind of EXCITED!

WWW.SHAMROCKFEST.COM

He apologized for a third time on the Jay Leno Show stating that it’s due to not taking time off especially after his mother’s death. I say, “Bull shit!” Excuses, excuses… He has done this time and time again and he will do it yet again.

This jerk needs to be taught a lesson and needs to learn his place. Maybe this is a job for Emily Post?  Then again… Not sure if anyone can get through his thick skull.

So fed up with this dude that I do and will continue to change the station if any of his music is played.

I apologize for my profanity but I am really tired of people like this.

You don’t know what I’m talking about?

SHAMROCKFEST!!!!!!!

This year is gonna be different for me.  See last year I ended up interviewing Carbon Leaf and although it was unplanned and I just followed on Scarlett’s coat tails and it was a blast.  A great group of guys.

This year I have put in my bid to interview a band and although I’m tempted to tell you who I’m not.  Plus it isn’t in stone yet but I have my people working on it.

The line up is bigger than ever this year and Carbon Leaf is returning as well as Flogging Molly, Scythian, Mr. Greengenes and Ceann will be there to name a few.  Ceann is a new group I’ve heard great things about but haven’t seen/heard them live yet.  For the full line up check out this link.

So if you wanna rock with the best of the Irish then you better get your tickets soon.  General Admission is only $19.99 right now and the VIP is only $79.99 but those prices will be going up. You should also note that VIP gets you all you can drink, 2009 Shamrockfest mug, and the best part is cleaner bathrooms plus so much more.

Get your tickets here.

First I had heard of this little chick who wowed Simon Cowell and finally remembered to check it out:

Then is searching other songs she has sung I was reminded of this next song.  Did you know Robert Downey Jr. Sings?

Love it!

She has become quite a worthy opponent even though I explained that she needs to, realistically, let me win a little because I’m old.  Thus if I feel I can win, a little, I would be more willing to engage in the wrestling arena with her since I would still feel that I have somewhat of an upper edge and a chance to win.  Seriously, who would engage in such wrestling if you know you would lose.  Well, I guess Mini Red does but at least she has the knowledge that as she grows she also gains an upper hand and ultimately can overtake Mom.

Brotha-Man and I would wrestle with Dad.  I’ll never forget the day we won and became “KINGS OF THE HILL” because we were finally strong enough to beat Dad. We never wrestled again.

Anyhow… So we stopped mid wrestle to see my favorite part of Elf where Zooey Deschanel sings “Baby It’s Cold Outside”.  This woman has an amazing voice.

The Boys are back visiting their Mums.

As luck would have it seems they had a chat with Steve over at Flanagan’s Harp & Fiddle and they are playing On Saturday.

Can I get a WOOT WOOT?  Or maybe just dance a little jig.  Personally, I did the dance.  My co-workers enjoyed it.

I’ve been needing this Scythian fix and who knows when they will be back… Well they will be at Fado’s next Wednesday too but these boys are rarely in town anymore.  Get em while you can.

Maybe I’ll see you there?

You don’t know who he is?

Just check this out:

Be sure to check out this one too!  Turn it up and just immerse yourself. 

Did it give ya the goosebumps?