A to Z: Wanee

Finally, I got my review of the festival published. If you would like to read it you can here. I've been swamped since I came back covering another show, doing an interview I am working on, plus the day job and family time.
I should have some more Wanee articles up real soon!

A to Z: Vibes

Is anybody getting excited about the Gathering of the Vibes Festival? Stay tuned I have some related articles in the works. In the meantime here is a link to their site.

A to Z: Up!

Up! Like in catching up! I have finally caught up with the right letter in the challenge. Just in time for the final week.

Up! Like the number of new pictures on this blog! Up! Like the new writing ideas. Up! Like the new videos on the blog! Up! Like the visitors to this blog. Everything is up at this blog!

Up, like me when I am sleepy. Up, like the kids when they should be sleeping. Up, like the cat running around like crazy when you finally go to bed. See everything is up!

A to Z: Traveling

April has been a month of traveling for me. I wrapped up the end of March and the start of April by traveling up to Philadelphia for the opening of baseball season.

Then it was off to Wanee and the beach...

Then last night I was in Baltimore. It is go, go, and go.

A to Z: Superbad!

The cool thing about a blog is you can write about anything. Yes, sometimes I shamelessly self promote. However, sometimes I get the chance to promote other peoples stuff. This blog is about a band called Superbad  a band based some where out on Long Island in New York. The guitarist is a friend of mine.

Don't let the name fool you, they are actually pretty darn good. Especially if you like the music of the 80's and the 90's. Here is a promo of them so you can decide yourself.

Here is a link to their website.

A to Z: River

I fell behind because I was at the Wanee Festival on the banks of the Swanee River. The river was made famous by the Stephen C. Foster song "Old Folks at Home" and is the state song of Florida.

Notice the Spanish Moss, it covers most of the trees in the area.

I had planned to canoe the river on Sunday, but the powers to be wouldn't let me drive down to the river. Maybe next time. The price was reasonable and doing a healthy activity would have been great. So, I've added some pictures of the beach and the river. Someone requested pictures, I will add some more as I continue to write articles and publish blog posts.

A to Z: Queen

Queen was one of the first bands I remember liking or at least the song "Another One Bites the Dust." I remember going to summer camp in Florida and hearing that song and AC/DC a lot. My musical tastes floated back to more of a top 40 taste before reverting back.

In my life Queen was coming back to me in my early college years. "The Highlander" movies series were popular there. The album/soundtrack "It's A Kinda Magic" is a master piece from the group. Unfortunately, Freddie Mercury passed away around this time.

However, I still like Queen even tasteful covers by the California Guitar Trio.

A to Z: Poetry

I was not aware that April was National Poetry Month. Between traveling and getting backlogged in my writing, I have been creating  some poetry this month. I enjoy poetry. It is were I got the writing bug. Here is what I have been up to:

Mothers Love, is an acrostic poem for an assignment for Mothers Day. I thought about my own mother who has been having a tough time mending after battling cancer. I also thought of my wife the mother of my pride and joy daughter and a pretty cool son.

The Battle of Writing More, it is my stab at a Shakespearean Sonnet. I had some things in my head that suck in my mind about writing lately and this is what came out. That is what poetry was for me when I used to write a lot of it. Emotions, feelings, coming out thats what I used to fill notebooks with, but now I am sharing some with more than a handful of folks.

Here is another sonnet I wrote about anger. I wrote a poem on going fast, I used my hobby of ski racing and growing older for the subject matter. I  also wrote some haiku, they can be found on helium.

A to Z: Oh!

Oh! I have fallen so behind. Oh! it is a curse of a working vacation. Especially in this age of technology when one disconnects for a while. Pull the plug and one falls out or falls behind.

Oh! it s not just the A to Z challenge. It is work at my day job, will I ever get caught up? Ii is the writing assignments and free lance work. Oh! It is more important stuff too.

Oh! It is great to see old friends and family. However, on the other hand you miss the family you leave behind. 

It is the Oh! I should have seen this, Oh! I should have done that, it is all the Oh's.

A to Z: Neptune Beach

Yes I will be putting up pictures from Wanee. However, I will post some pictures.The town outside of Jacksonville, I stayed in is Neptune Beach. Here is a view of the ocean:

The beach isn't as developed as it's neighbors with hotels and condos like Jacksonville Beach and Atlantic Beach. However, there are beach front homes. Here is a view of some sand dunes, a home, and some palm trees.

A to Z: Mother Nature Was Kind to Me

The weather was just about perfect at the Wanee Festival. It did rain a bit on Saturday but it was short lived. It was early enough not to effect any shows. Made my tent a little damp but hey it was the last night. A couple of nights got a bit chilly. 40's and 50's feels pretty chilly when it has been sunny and warm all day. However, the sun warmed things up everyday and really got me motivated to get out of the hot tent.

A to Z: Lucky Me

Wednesday was the pre-Wanee party. After getting checked in and my camp made. I was able to catch the Radiators on there farewell tour and Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk which was playing a set in tributer to James Brown. So much music in a short time Widespread Panic, two nights of the Allman Brothers Band, Robert Plant, Hot Tuna and more. Stay tune there are several articles forthcoming..

A to Z: Kiss it goodbye!

After a little touch in go and Florida my folks could kiss me good by. I headed it west to the Wanee Festival. A great time but a little remote my cell phone roamed a lot and blogging via Android didn't work. However, it was nice to get away from it all. Limited cell phone, no PC...just a chance to chill and hear some awesome live music.

a to z: jamming to jacksonville

Okay so the android didn't work. Anyway at this time I was driving down to stop one on my trip outside of Jacksonville. I had the music chilling on the 13 hour drive. Finally got to listen to the live Bob Marley a friend had set me up with. The older I get the harder these long trips become. However, It was great to have time to listen to some cool music.

A to Z: Icing on the Cake

Today was my daughters fourth birthday. She had an exciting weekend seeing her friends at another birthday party on Saturday. Then on Sunday I took her to a farm where she could play and pet some cows. She also got to pet a great big pig. She called the critter that felt like steel wool soft, and she calls my stubble itchy go figure.

Today  I tied up loose ends at work and went shopping for my daughter. Building blocks, stickers, tattoos, wood puzzles, books, plush animals, balloons, all ended up on the list. She is at any easy age to shop for, she just wants everything.

The evening wrapped up with dinner and play time at Chuck E. Cheese. Thanks to a weekend of television on a road trip the advertisements convinced her to go there for her birthday. I like the fact her TV normally consists of  Netflix and videos.

A to Z: Homeless

No I am not homeless. I have been lucky to manage to keep a roof over my head. I understand it can be a struggle sometime. I count my blessings that I have been fortunate to have a support network of friends and family when I have needed one.

I've volunteered at a cold weather shelter in Charles Town this winter. I was able to spend some time with the homeless. I was able to eat, pray and talk with the homeless. I was reminded that they are people. I also volunteer on the Board of Directors at Hope Alive. It is a shelter for single woman with or without children. It is a transitional shelter. Meaning the organization works with these woman until they are able to get on their feet, find housing, and are able to keep it. That sad thing is they can only help a limited number. I guess the sadder thing is so many other woman need help.More information can be found at their website.

Sometimes people only think about the homeless and the hungry when it is cold or near the Holidays. The truth is the homeless and hungry struggle year round.

A to Z: Golf

Today the Masters Golf Tournament is in full swing. Today was the first time I have published a golf article on Yahoo Sports. I have published articles on baseball, football, basketball, soccer, woman's basketball and now golf. Here is a link to the article. The article is a look at Masters Champions who were unexpected. It was neat to research these underdogs of golf.

Other than that it has been a crazy 24 hours. My daughter went to the ER but is okay. An article came up short and was rejected and I received an unexpected press credentials. So, now I will have to scramble to make arrangements since the event is 900 miles away.

A to Z : Festivals

It is getting closer and closer to festival season. It is one of my favorite times of year. These days I write about them and I have spent many years going to them. I'm lucky I live in an area with lots of music festivals nearby. The only problem is sometimes there are multiple festivals going on at the same time and one can't go to them all.

One of favorites is the Western Maryland Blues Festival in Hagerstown, Maryland. In past years I have met or seen blues greats like Hubert Sumlin, Walter Trout, the late Pinetop Perkins, James Cotton, and more. Here is a picture of me with Kenny Neal at last year's blues fest:

This year's line up has some great young blues guitarists like Joanne Shaw Taylor, Davy Knowles, and Hamilton Loomis. You can read about the full line up here.

A little closer to me in a smaller town, there is the Brunswick Music Festival in Brunswick, Maryland. THis year's lineup has not been announced yet. It will be here. Last year it was a mix of blues, folk, bluegrass, and country all wrapped into one. Here is a review of the festival I wrote last year. Below is a picture of me and Kelly Bell of the Kelly Bell Band after his set at last years festival.

 The bad thing was the festival was at the same time the Harpers Ferry Outdoors Festival was going on, which is always a good time with live music and a silent auction. It was also the same time the Winchester Blues House Festival was going on. Believe it or not the Kelly Bell Band played both festivals last year! The line up for the Winchester Blues House Festival can be found here. Then it all wraps up with a huge bluegrass festival at Watermelon Park in September.

A to Z: Engine

I am not the engine that couldn't. I am the engine that could. I'm not the engine that is afraid to try. I am the engine that does. I am the engine that chugs along despite whatever setbacks happen. Really, March had it's share of setbacks. I had two interviews go bad. However, I got invited to a special place to cover a special event out of the blue. I am currently in the process of writing an article for a magazine. My first print article.Who cares about the rejections. I have heard the feedback from the folks who like what I do. That is more important to me anyway. I am building up to greater success despite the setbacks. I'm the engine and I have a long way to chug a long. Everyone should be their own engine. Short and sweet today.

A to Z: Dad and Daughter

Here is a picture of me and my daughter last week at Citizen's Bank Park in Philadelphia, during the Phillies

 home opening weekend. 

We have a great relationship, I hope that it lasts a life time. Besides hanging out with me at baseball games we also have weekly outings on family days to the local Chick-fil-A, which does an incredible job of activities. they have provided face painting nights, pony rides, petting zoos, giant slides, balloon animals and more. It is an activity we both Daddy and Daughter enjoy  together. She is at great age where she can have blast with simple trips to a park. the activities don't need  to be huge, the key is spending quality time together. 

Breaking News: Beau Torbert Cut by Braves

Just found out today Beau Torbert was cut by the Atlanta Braves organization. Scout.com is reporting it here. He was cut at the end of the minor league Spring Training camp. At least he go a longer look this Spring than he did with the Detroit Tigers last Spring.

Beau was one of the best players in Independent ball last season being named the 2010 Independent Player of the Year and the American Association Player of the Year. I will post on here any updates of Beau signing elsewhere here.

A to Z: Cat Soup

What do you do with a big kitten who is into everything? You add some beans, carrots, potatoes, some spices and water and turn the heat up to make Cat Soup!

No we really didn't cook the cat. The cat likes to find little places to curl up in and one day he jumped on the stove and curled up in a pot. No cat was harmed.  took a picture of it and called it "Cat Soup." My three year old daughter has a good laugh with it and says "No Daddy Don't Eat the Cat."

A to Z: Baseball

Yesterday, I went to opening day in Philadelphia. A new day, a new game, and a new season. Fans have new anticipations for their teams on opening day. Everyone has hope. Every team starts with a clean slate. Every player starts with a clean slate to build season stats. Some players even start over with new teams. Even though it still feels cool or even cold. Spring is here and soon the warm weather of summer. Everyone is looking forward to better days.

It would be nice if life worked that way. Perhaps it should. Perhaps the first paragraph is what is really great about baseball. Everyday is a new day but it is often forgotten in the daily grind. Everyday has it's own challenges, just like a new game. Sometimes we start a new season. We can change teams and build new stats. However, it is that clean slate that is missing. Not everyone has better days to look forward too because they are lost in the worries.

However, we have baseball a chance to escape for at least a few hours. Have a cold beverage, eat a hot dog, and cheer your team on. Just for a few hours your worries are gone and it truely is a better day.

A to Z: April Fool's

Today is my day it is April Fool's Day so it is my holiday. A day for a fool. I kid, I am not really a fool(okay maybe I am) but like The Neville Brothers sing "Everybody Play's the Fool."

I am doing the April A-Z Challenge so for everyday except for Sunday one can expect a blog starting with the day's letter of the alphabet. Today's letter is A, hence the blog began with April. March is supposed to go out as either a Lion or a Lamb. I think that has more to do with weather. Me, it went out very busy with good, bad and the ugly.

Since, some folks think I am a fool my writing will be reduced in the coming months. Fewer business and sports articles. However, I finished March as a Lion in Sports with nine articles published in Yahoo! Sports or Rivals.com. However, as one door closes another door opens. Yesterday, I interviewed a band and hopefully I will be published in a print magazine.

Well I am getting ready to head up to Philadelphia for the opening weekend of the baseball season. Which is good since tomorrow's letter is B. If you want to check back some of the past years I believe I have blogged about April Fool's before.

Well, you can be relieved I am not playing any April Fool's  day jokes. However, it would be nice if al the bad news went away as a bad April Fool's Joke.