Not Everything So Well

Well I wrote a lot of posts about positive things going on this year. Well, I don't live in a world that is peaches and cream. I wouldn't like that world either, since I don't like peaches. Well we got our fist big snow of the year 5-10 inches. I tried to cowboy my car out of my drive way, and now it is stuck in snow and mud.

Now if my car couldn't get out of the driveway, it sure wasn't going to get up the hill on the back roads to the main roads. Guess I should have waited longer, or shovel more. Oh, the fun of winter...

Last night I took my daughter for a ride on my skis. I got them down and the first thing she says "where are mine?" That's my girl. I skied a bit around our property and down to the lake. She rode on my shoulders down to the garage, and I went down the hill behind it a few times. More like cross country and a lot more work with no lifts. The breaking branches and the noises the deer made did add to the adventure. That and it was really dark, I used a headlamp for lighting. The snow was real pretty last night and a pain in my neck today.

Day on the Slopes

It was great to see old friends I haven't seen  in a long time. Some, I saw over the summer. One it had been 2 years and another 4 years. Where does the time go? The team had a pretty good showing and we finished second which wasn't bad. I did well for me, finishing 17 out of 40 with a respectable time.  I miss the old days, where the old friends became friends. The league races at different mountains, the road trips. The pot luck lunches and dinners , the hotels and cabins. Fun times indeed.

The league isn't around anymore. It felt nice to be on the snow again. Wow, what a busy weekend. The CASA Concert, the ski race, and I am not done yet. Tonight I will be volunteering at a homeless shelter for a few hours. Then another busy week ahead.

Back in the Skis

Most winters I would have been skiing quite a few times by now. I'd have a season pass, a night card, a discount program of some sort. This season I have none. This year is different. The weekends are the only time I get to spend with my wife and the whole family. So, if I was gone it wouldn't really help our relationship and wouldn't feel to right. During the week I have to take our daughter to daycare, so I don't really have the luxury of taking a night off during the week. So, a season pass or night card would not of made sense.

Honestly, I wasn't planning to ski at all this season. However, I got the call for a challenge at the Troegs Cup. So I got together what was left of the old Bombers, with a few additions. Putting the team back together..

Most of my ski buddies are in skiing shape. Not me. However, we have three really fast skiers in my age group. Even if I was in shape I wouldn't beat them. I hope my team wins. However, for me the pressure is off. Sure, I want to do well and earn my team some points. However, I can ski loose, have fun with it.

Well, I had a great evening covering the CASA concert which I blogged about earlier this week. I sent the pictures I want to use and I will write a review for it coming up. I think the cold kept some folks away. It was a great show with a lot of different music and a lot of talented musicians.

ARNOLD SMITH MUSICAL BENEFIT Sunday in Shepherdstown

Another big, local benefit show this weekend. The Arnold Smith Musical Benefit is Sunday, January 23 at the Clarion Hotel in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Doors open at 6:30 music starts at 7. Fpur bands are scheduled with a $10 cover. The concert benefits a local musician Arnold Smith who had major health problems and no insurance. He is unable to work and his expenses are growing.  The local music scene got together and are putting on a show to raise money for his expenses. You can read more about it here.

Upcoming Concert in Martinsburg

Saturday night there is a great concert in Martinsburg, West Virginia. The concert is a benefit for CASA helping abused children in the area. Tickets are $15 and six bands are performing. I wrote an article at the Examiner on it and you can read it here.

If you are a blues lover Todd Coyle and the Kathy McGrath will surely fit the bill. Though Todd may venture into some folk rock. Old time rock, country and rockabilly will be served up by The Flashbacks. Blue Eyed Soul will bring you everything with American Music Roots including jazz, blues, rock, and R&B. The Rolling Coyotes will bring their acoustic music. Youngblood will close out the show with their blend of rock and country. Should be a fun time for a good cause.

Don Kirshner Rest in Peace

In 2010 it appears big names behind the music scene are passing away. First Pat Moran the producer died now Don Kirshner a rock publicist has passed away. Here is a link to an AP article on his death.


Kirshner had something to do with The Archies, The Monkees, Neil Diamond, Carole King and Neil Sedaka. He had a television show in the 70's. Historic Films stated his show "ROCK CONCERT is to the 1970s what THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW was to the 1950s-60s. "The Rolling Stones. Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, The Sex Pistols, Sly and the Family Stone, REO Speedwagon, Kiss, Jackson Browne, Bob Marley, Black Sabbath, Rod Stewart and more all appeared on the show. Pretty much a big list of all the stars of that era performed on the show. A show before MTV.


Now MTV, VH1 don't play as much music. I am sure his show was better than American Idol...

Things are getting better!

I am not saying who my interviews are with, but I am lining them up. It looks like I have three set up so far. I am also going to be a lot more album reviews. I am also working on possibly doing some writing in print as well. So far so good.

I am really excited. I get to review and interview artist I like. Not all of them are big names but they are really talented and they play the music I like. It also looks like there will be some neat smaller shows near me which I hope to go to. Possibly the California Guitar Trio, Joanne Shaw Taylor, and more. So I will have a lot to write about soon.

I am also keeping this blog updated better than I did last year!