No need to be nervous about going to Vegas. Virtually all of us are harmless, and the more dangerous of us will be too drunk to do too much damage. Also, if you go I'll have a little something to pass along to you. A surprise, of sorts.

Van Halen Los Angeles huh?? I would actually really love to see Van Halen. I heard David Lee Roth is going to be front man... is this true?

I could never play "Whole Lotta Love" the whole way through. That solo was just to much for me. It's a genuinely fast solo, as opposed to merely sounding fast because of hammer ons and pull offs. I could play a couple of Zep solos, along with a lot of other classic rock. The funny thing is, so much of the music I used to play I played because it was challenging, not because it was my favorite music. I can't even listen to a lot of it these days because I'm so sick of it. I must admit I've never been smitten by Ratt. It was around that time I was discovering punk, and I was favoring a more back to basics sound in my music. I did like some metal in the 80s, mainly early Metallica. I rarely listen to it these days, though.

I'm very happy with my Epiphone, but of course it can't compare to a $3500 American Standard. I can tolerate a guitar that's half as good for a tenth of the price

Yeah I wish I could afford a show like that, but it most likely isn't going to happen. It really sounds like its going to be a total blast

I actually toured Wright's Hollyhock House. It was almost a religious experience for me

Actually, the food was quality in materials but rather average in taste. Fresh but kind of bland. Perhaps they don't use enough lard to make it taste supremely delicious. I have some friends here who own one of this town's longstanding Mexican restaurant/bar hotspots and they say...you don't want to know how much lard bacon grease goes in, just enjoy. The ambiance was nice though and it is conveniently located near several of my biggest clients. I'll definitely go back.

Wow, I haven't listened to Van Halen in ages. It always takes me back to my high school headbanging days...which is a good and a bad thing both. Have fun. Hope you get to take all of your trips.

Ooh Van Halen! That will be epic! One of my co-workers is going to the Toronto show and I'm a little jealous.

Baptized in Blood is absolutely named after the Death song. Unfortunately they are nowhere near as awesome as Death was. Alas. I've never heard Absu but I'll keep an eye out for them. I go to London for shows a lot as my best friends are living there now.

I find with yoga, I've never really transcended this plane....or whatever you call it... but I do get in a super focused zone, where I think about nothing at all, and just move my body into the different poses. Its great because when I get like that I'm way more flexible and balanced than normal. The super relaxing part is at the end when you just let go of all your muscles and melt into the mat. Some yoga classes I go to feel so great that I have this feeling like a post-orgasmic kind of glow for hours. Its kind of the best thing ever....well except for roller derby. It wins.

it IS staring at you

That's good you don't drink. I didn't for a long time...it is impossible to get a DUI if you're a non-drinker. Goodonya.

OH yeah, and yes, that was a bag of corn on the cob bathing in cajun seasonings and it was fucking BOMB YO!

The complimentary chips were good. They came with a salsa and some kind of black bean dip. If you order guacamole the bowl they bring you is positively huge. I didn't try the queso.

Yeah, man.. I hate killing bugs. It feels terrible.
Thank you for sharing your story.... That poor little guy. At least he went with dignity.

Well the yoga stories might be true for some people. I like it a lot, but I'm far from a yogi. Probably closer to a yogi bear. Picnics rock.

So who is going to be in the band for this Van Halen tour? It should be a pretty epic show. I can't imagine them disappointing.

btw how did you end up listening to Death as a child? haha. I guess I grew up with Metallica and Sepultura so its not that much of a stretch. I agree though....necrotizing fascitis is a terrifying thing to think about.

Crabs are like the roaches or the sea... *shudders*

I still really hate killing bug though.

I honestly can't think of the worst thing I've ever eaten... I'll have to come back to you on that one.

You've had shrimp, right?? Lobster and crab are kind of like that, except a little more delicious.

Also, that video was really hard to watch. those poor shrimpies I don't like to see how my food is prepared.

Thank you