August 14
I spent a couple days in Idaho at the beginning of the month with Erin's family. Here's a few pictures I took from the plane and otherwise. I love the crop circles - they use big irrigation arms that swing around from the center point and create the big circles.

July 25
I finally put several cover songs and one of mine recorded at the release party in the live section today. They are not the worlds best recordings, but they're fun. Also, here's a little video clip that Jill Wiggins shot of Jericho, with the entire band from the evening on stage - Joe Waslouski, Randy Venturini, Ryan Murray, Mark Williams and featuring Heather Kropf and Erin Clymer on kazoo...

July 21
I have to admit that I feel a bit of a sense of loss today that I will never again be able to read a new Harry Potter book. Erin and I read the book aloud to one another on Saturday night and all day Sunday, finishing it last night around 11:30. I can't say what it is about the books that has made them so much fun to read, but rarely have I been so sucked into a story. I won't talk about the book yet - reading it in two sittings has left me a bit dazed (plus I don't want to spoil anything for anyone who isn't crazy enough to read a 700+ page book in a weekend) other than to say it is perhaps simultaneously both the saddest and happiest book in the series. We laughed and we cried.

On a completely different subject: I heard two of what must be the greatest news storys of the year this past week:

Residents of Basra, Iraq, believe that British forces have released giant, man-eating badgers into tne town, prompting the British Army Spokesman to actually say "We can categorically state that we have not released man-eating badgers into the area." If anyone finds the audio clip of that statement, I would love to actually hear it.

Secondly, and also animal related. Iran announced that it has arrested fourteen US spy squirrels. I'm not joking.

July 17
I'm 35 now. I guess that's exciting news. I bought myself a new guitar (a Taylor), which was difficult. I hate spending money, and I love my Takamine, and while I realize it's not the best guitar in the world, almost every worthwhile song I've ever written came out of that guitar. I do love the Taylor as well - it sounds great. I've got a number of shows coming up in the near future, so there is ample opportunity for you to come see/hear it. I couldn't sell the Takamine though. I grow attached to things.

My life took an interesting turn a few months ago when I accepted a promotion of sorts being one of two people responsible for organizing staff projects at Faison Elementary, helping to plan/teach said projects and fostering relationships with the teachers at the school. This has been far more challenging than I thought it would be.

Also probably less rewarding than I thought.

In any case, it's where I've been hiding since April. This summer I've been working on trying to make sure next year goes better.

I'm cautiously optimistic.

I finally spent a bunch of time and put a bunch more of the Spain/Morocco pictures on the site. They are now on the art page. There are 55 of them. Enjoy.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows comes out this weekend. I'm very excited. There's is very little I love more in this life than a thoroughly engrossing book, and they have been that for me. I've been reading Mugglenet to get my fill of theories, rumors that JK Rowlings has debunked, and wild speculation.