Goalie Labor

My new job is real fun. The downside is leaving my old insurance who has handled all my medical issues since this whole ordeal started, but I'm moving to another that so far looks promising. Besides, there is a chance I could hook up with my old carrier later this year if it is offered as an option, and also if I decide it's worth it to switch back. Everyone at my old carrier was fantastic and it was difficult to leave them, as my transplant coordinator and my GI doctor were the best.

I'll be posting a review of NEARfest 2008 very soon. I'll say that it was a success, and most of the bands made the trip well worth it. I was also happy to provide my friends T.R. and Chad a chance to see their Dream Theater heroes in action, even though I hated every single second of their performance. (I had to give a shot to DT!) High points: Synergy's set, and discovering Morglbl from France. Excellent! Long review to follow.

Speaking of prog, my goodness- I've had XM from my satellite dish on most of the weekend, to the Fine Tuning channel. In the past four days I've heard Gates of Delirium from Yes, Porcupine Tree's Waiting, ELP, California Guitar Trio, and Marillion's Script. I've also heard some neat tracks I didn't know about, which is why I was listening to them in the first place.

I've been following the robin's nest in my front yard for maybe a month now. Today, sadly, I found the female freshly dead just below the nest on my driveway and the babies gone. My guess is that a hawk found the nest and attacked. Nature is not fair sometimes, but at least the bluebirds we have are doing well.

I did not plan on playing any hockey this weekend as I played Friday and have a game on Monday and Tuesday. But I got a call I could not turn down: thirty minutes to game time the captain of a team at my local rink (twenty minutes from my house) called and asked me to play in an emergency situation. It turns out the regular goalie's wife decided to go into labor with child a few hours before game time. I was happy to fill in, and it was a higher level than I've been playing lately. The shots were great, and we did lose bigtime, but the guys played a great game in front of me. I think I did okay, as I stopped a penalty shot and perhaps made around 30 saves. All on a full stomach too since I had just eaten lunch. I've never played on such a full tummy and driving to the game I thought for sure I'd lose it on the ice, but somehow it was okay. I skipped my usual Powerbar or energy drink and relied on the pasta and water to get me through it.

40 in style

Here's a good way to start my 40's in style. Click here for one of the websites I visit on a semi-regular basis, which I guess means I am as morbid as you thought I was...

(just don't read too much into this...I'm half-joking, although I bet my stint with Dark Aether may qualify me for the list eventually- hopefully not too soon of course!)

Is 40 the new 30? What does that mean?

Well, this is it. My LAST blog entry while I’m in my thirties. Charlton Heston in Planet of the Apes gave the advice “Don’t trust anyone over 30.” Well, what do you say about 40? I already can’t be trusted, so what else is there?

Tomorrow I’ll be spending the evening with several good friends attending a concert from one of my favorite musicians and stunt guitarist, Adrian Belew, at the Ram’s Head in Annapolis. Sadly, Darcy is really working hard and will not be able to make it, but I’m sure once everything settles down things will get back to normal. We’re planning a getaway weekend since we both could use some time together, away from everything. Even though we’re disappointed (I think she is more than I am) I understand.

I’m still having a colitis flare-up of sorts, but the generic Ensure drinks really help with that. I’m also eating soft food like pasta which helps, but Ensure is the food of choice for the meantime. I cancelled the planned dinner before the show because of it, as I don’t want to spend the whole time bouncing between the bathroom and the front row table I secured.

I also could not wait for NEARfest and bought the new Fish CD, 13th Star, from iTunes. It is very strong, perhaps his second best behind Sunsets on Empire. SoE raised the bar quite high, so that is a compliment. Now I’m really looking forward to the show. I’ll pick up the special edition of 13th Star at NEARfest.

Our bluebirds had their first baby, and just built a nest this week so more are on the way. With the mealworms I’ve bought, they are eating better than we are lately.