A Bard's Real World Blog
Journal, Blog, News, and Diary

A Red Dwarf fanatic is born

Well, I finally finished Season Eight of Red Dwarf, and I'm now officially a fanatic. I LOVE THAT SHOW!!!!

Sucks that it's off the air. It left me with a desire to produce an Indie Sci Fi TV show. Tried searching the net for some w/o success sadly. Have to try again. I'm so addicted... I need my RD. *twitch, twitch*

Course, the next task is to finish that Red Dwarf filk I started to add to my Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Fanciers album. Forgot the tune it was to? Ah well.

Been chatting online a bit with Sarah Dinan. Aside from being an amazing singer, she's also an amazing personality. I hear she'll be at the song session this Sunday at Things Celtic. Don't think I'll be able to make it since Andrew and I are scheduled to be in the studio Sunday afternoon, but head out there if ye get a chance. Sounds smashing!

Also had lunch today with Hagar the Horrible (-ly cool). It's a big fan and volunteered to post posters around town. Still need to get some more together. Hoping I'll get those done tonight, but tomorrow, I'm heading out to the Excalibur faire site to run auditions for the faire. Volunteered that for Bryan Beard, the Entertainment Director. That said, I've a busy weekend. Glad I set aside more time this week to relax and do stuff for me.

Oh! I'm still in need of a few more reviews at Amazon.com for Soul of a Harper. If ye like it, drop by and drop a quick review. Thanks!

Official New Line Cinema Tolkien Oscars Party

Well, we've had an invite "Into the West", a Hollywood Oscar Party for Tolkien Fans in Hollywood, CA. We're still checking into the logistics to make it possible for us to attend. We need to see about booking an extra show in the California area during that weekend--February 29th. Need to find out who would be interested, and if you know of any venues in the Hollywood area.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Online CD Release Party
I was reading an article at lunch which really kinda inspired me. The idea was to throw an online CD release party. Basically, I'd stream music from the CD while holding a live chat with folks about the CD. What a cool idea! What do ye think? I could possibly even add in a few songs that might not be heard elsewhere...

Hmm?

Soul of a Harper "Celtic 101" Review

Saw Memories of Middle Earth and Soul of a Harper were briefly reviewed in the Austin Chronicle today. Slight mis-quote which adds humor to the past two days blog.

"We're not really 'Celtic,'" explains Marc Gunn of the local Brobdingnagian Bards, and he's right; the duo is more lo-fi English folk with a distinct Gaelic twist. Yet their simple autoharp-and-recorder music is remarkably diverse ("Hobbit's Dance," "The Psychopathic, Chronic, Schizophrenic Gollum Blues"), as Memories of Middle Earth (Mage Records) displays. Gunn's own debut, Soul of a Harper, is only available on the Internet, the place where rebel Celtic music thrives – the Bards' MP3 hit, "Tolkien," racked up well over a million downloads in cyberspace. Harper is a delightfully homespun collection of instrumentals and songs about dwarves and elves, rebels and Ireland, and trad a capella such as "My Love Is Like a Red, Red Rose." (Gunn also oversaw the Celtic MP3 collection Coventina's Well, featuring Ed Miller.)

rest-less-ness

My mind doesn't want to rest.
1am.
I need sleep.
But I'm plagued by the Red Dwarf and Celtic heartaches.
My mind is just plagued.
A black pestilence of groaning thought
yearning for a moment's rest.
Sadness augments as
the last drops of vino plummet
down my gullet.
Or is it just thoughtfulness,
brainstorming...
or just storms.

Whatever it is, I need some sleep.
Today was the first in a while that I felt awake.
Music ebbed and flowed through my veins
Like a quite refrain from Straussian Waltz.
I can hear the trickle of the Danube.
Peace...
And power...
On a Mark Twanian raft
Marked with distant clouds of ruminicence...
Snow drifts and thunderings.
A shivering man terrified of going back
to peace and solitude
when confronted with the prospects of a life
continually tormented by fools in scarlet hats
and dangly bells.

Enter Sandman!
Tear me away from complacent meanderings
of thought and action.
Let my motions be worth the torment
of restlessness.

Lothlorien, Celtic Music Group Disappears, or Have They?

If you remember the band Lotherlorien from MP3.com. They haven't seemed to totally disappear. As a matter of fact, they were back together in November performing at a The One Ring.net Party in New Zealand, I believe. If you go to their website, you can watch Lothlorien's performance there.

Soul of a Harper Selling Well

After our gig in Harlingen last weekend, I checked out how many CDs I had left. Lo and behold, I've already been through about 80 CDs. Not sure where they all went, off the top of my head.

Let's see, some are at Things Celtic, some went to CDbaby, and then some more went to Amazon.com... Hmm? So I've probably sold about fifty CDs, thusfar.

Any case, they should be in the mail sometime next week along with our backorder of Songs of Ireland and A Celtic Renaissance Wedding.

Next month, I plan to order Coventina's Well and maybe find some time to work on Celtic Legacy... but don't hold me to that yet. I have a few ideas which might make big changes to the initial CD idea. Fortunately, I'm feeling awake enough that i may be able to tackle that project.

Celtic Shame... cont'd

Well, I got some responses from my soapbox yesterday. Offhand, the TexCelt maintainer justified the zines actions well. At the very least, it's nice to know that the TexCelt site knows what they consider "Celtic". But admittedly, I would like the ACA to open up more.

I did learn that one of the differences between our definitions is that I see Ren Faire Celtic as not to different from Pub Celtic. Whereas the TexCelt accepts pub Celtic, just not as much Faire Celtic. But for me, just having to maintain these distinctions kinda makes me sick to the stomach. I mean, I really like the TexCelt ezine maintainer as a person, and accept that we have differing views on the subject. When I feel threatened I either hide and ignore the problem, or I fight back with fury even if the aggressor is not trying to be very aggressive. It's my own failing.

But where do you draw the line? IMO, I don't think that's as much our decision as the band claiming to be "Celtic". If they claimed to play "Irish traditional music," you have a much better idea of their style. If they claim to play "Celtic traditional music", the same, but if they claim to play "Celtic music", it goes back to that age-old question. What the hell is "Celtic"? Or maybe just what the hell is "Celtic music" might be more appropriate?

Since "Celtic" offhand refers to people from the Celtic nations. I think that works better. Whereas "Celtic music" has been bastardized for better or worse. One journalist I know considers a lot of English Folk Music to be Celtic too... aka bands like Fairport Convention. I kinda wonder what the purists would think?

I see nothing wrong with that though. It's all about perception anyways. And the perception in the U.S. is different from the U.K.. Heck the perception in New York City is different from Austin.

Nevertheless, I do think we need a better system for Austin. Something that's more inclusive and accepts bands even if they aren't entirely Celtic by yours or my definition. But this is something that the Board will need to decide. Have to think more on this.

Ashamed to Be Celtic

Ye know, sometimes I'm almost ashamed of the Celtic community at large. Okay, first this is just looking at it *in general*, which as we all know is a bunch of crock.

Last night, I got back up on my soapbox. Since 1999, we've had to "justify" our every performance in Texas with the Texas Celtic Music Association (www.texcelt.org). The TCMN is a website founded by Austinite to promote Celtic music in Texas. It's biggest accomplishment IMO is a weekly ezine that features every Celtic gig in Texas and some of the surrounding states.

One the one hand, WOW! What an incredible contribution to the Celtic community. On the other, it's a joke!

Why? Well, it's biased. It only features "Celtic" music. But Celtic music is defined quite narrowly as pretty much Irish traditional music, or any music that focuses on jigs and reels.

Of course this means that bands like mine, the Brobdingnagian Bards, are often excluded from the website because sometimes we play folk and filk music.

Okay, I admit that I'm a bit of a hypocrit at times. I have my own limited definitions of what is "Celtic", but even with my Celtic MP3s Music Magazine I try to accept ANY band that wants to call themselves Celtic.

Course, this means that often there are some "Celtic" songwriters who don't play any traditional music at all, all contemporary with an airy sound, who call themselves "Celtic". Well, as much as I wouldn't call it "Celtic", that's okay.

So last night, I decided I was sick of being passive in my ever explosive passion and over-anxiousness. So I sent an email to the Board that we should start our own Celtic weekly ezine to promote Central Texas events.

I'm hoping, hoping, hoping that the Board will see the advantage of looking past narrow-minded definitions and open themselves up to variety. Yes, this might mean we'll get a flood of New Age "Celtic" or Pagan "Celtic" or "Celtic" Rock that many in the community might not enjoy, but if it's helping to build a strong community that does not alienate people... like Andrew and ME, then I think mayhaps we can finally become an organization that is strong and will gain greater notoriety in the Austin and Central Texas community at large.

Here's the email I sent:

Ye know, I gotta say, that I find this extremely frustrating. If the TexCelt website will continue to turn away Celtic music because it's not "authentic" enough for the purist's taste, then I strongly suggest we start building an ACA Central Texas email list that pretty much duplicates the whole TexCelt calendar. (waste of time, but seems necessary)

I know you think Celtic music and Ren Faires don't mix, but oddly (or sadly) enough, 80% of the music at ren faires in Texas is traditional Celtic Folk music. It seems extremely sad that I keep seeing these biases against the faire community when they faires keep Celtic music alive and growing among a different segment of the Celtic population.

What of the biggest ironies to me is that it seems like people can be songwriters from Ireland or Scotland or Australia, like Dougie MacLean, and immediately, be labeled Celtic. Yet, those of us in the U.S. must prove ourselves time and time again.

It's extremely frustrating.

For your reading pleasure, Do Renaissance Folk Fit in at Celtic Festivals?.

"I'm getting better." No, you're not!

Rough week last week. Not entirely sure what happened some time Tuesday methinks, I caught a virus. It wasn't until Thursday that it really knocked the heck outta me, but oy! Ended up having to go home from work.

Fortunately, the sleep and loads of chicken soup helped. We were supposed to leave for Harlingen on Friday for a gig, but I was so wiped. Happily, I was feeling much better by Saturday morning when we left. Read our Bard Tales for more info about the Burns Supper.

Well, in case ye missed my homepage news, my CD release date is set for the end of February. And, we are confirmed for I-Con in New York. Gigs are slowly filling up. See the complete Bards calendar for details (still being updated).

Incredible Fantasy Art
Oh! Jen Clower-Brown, my fantasy art compadre, just finished two new pieces and uploaded them to our A Dragon's Eye Fantasy Art Store. Her Mage Elf is absolutely gorgeous!!!

I've also decided that at the beginning of next month, I'll be mass-producing the Coventina's Well CD. I've been wanting to do a lot more, but it's tough. This is pretty much a free promotional product to benefit the Austin Celtic Association. Not sure how practical that is when I'm fairly tight with my cash right now, but I want to get it done.

Celtic Compilation CDs
I think I'm gonna at least one more Celtic compilation CD, but we'll see what happens after that. While I really enjoy helping these artists and raising money for the ACA. You don't raise a lot o'money if no one knows the artists.

Now one of the more popular compilation CDs I've seen was Songs of the Faire Folk, a compilation of Ren Faire artists that sells for just five bucks. I'm thinking that this the way to go. I want to help artists, but if the CD doesn't sell, it won't help them much.

Course the toughest thing for me is to accept that I'm not going to profit off of it. That's pretty tough because I've geared my mind over the years to learn how to make a living with music. But sometimes, ye got to know when to let go. I believe this is one of those times.

Planning for the future... starting with 2004
I started making plans last week as well. I read a great music biz article about goal setting, and it really inspired me. I have a LOT to try and figure out, but at the very least I'm starting... trip to Italy, saving money, trip to Pennsic, finish Scots CD, Poetry book (know any good editors?), practice more, organize myself better.

I've made a good start, but I've still a long way to go, but then that's what goal setting is all about.

Celtic T-Shirt Update
Well I took ya'lls suggestions and decided to try out a new USP--"Download Guilt Free!". If you're interested in promoting me, Celtic MP3s Music Magazine, or just free music downloading, order a copy of the Download Guilt Free - Coventina's Well T-Shirts

*purring softly*

I just got done reading all the reviews for Soul of a Harper on CDBaby. I'm now glowing. Thank you all so very much for the very sweet reviews of my CD. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. It really does mean a LOT to me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I'd now like to see about getting a few reviews added to my Amazon.com site for Soul of a Harper. If anyone out there would like to post a review there I'd be delighted, though I must say that I really couldn't ask anything more after the kind comments already posted. But if ye get an inspiration. Please do. Thank you!

mreow!

Art opening in New Orleans

An incredible artist and friend, Marrus, now living in New Orleans is having an art opening there. If you're in New Orleans from January 19th through March 1st, go check out her art. She does some amazing fantasy art.

Where:  Acme Gallery, at 5700 Magazine Street in New Orleans.  It's upstairs, with a big painting of Rosie the Riveter on the outside, next to the gi-normous Whole Foods.  The number's 504-891-0357 if you get hideously lost - please speak to the curator, Jennifer.

A Gathering of Celts

Once a month, the Austin Celtic Association holds monthly meetings on the 2nd Weds of every month. Yesterday, the Gaelic League of Austin began holding their meetings an hour before making it an incredible evening of Celtic friendship, education, and entertainment.

It started off at Mother Egan's with Ed Miller talking about the Bothy ballads of Scotland. If you EVER get a chance to see Ed Miller, I can't stress it enough, GO SEEM HIM! He's just an amazing speaker and performer. Raised in the folk tradition, Ed is a fountain spring of knowledge of Scots folk music.

Course, there's a great opportunity this Friday. Ed Miller is performing at the Cactus Cafe at UT Austin, and the Sarah Dinan Band is opening for him. Sarah has an exquisite voice and talent for singing traditional Celtic songs. Should be a fantastic evening. I'm gonna do my best to head out there.

Interestingly, I was having a conversation with a Celtic musician the other day. No doubt all the hype of the RIAA has hurt a number of folks from exploring the magic of MP3s. I know it's not the goldmine we've made it, but there are some incredible opportunities to be had by promoting with MP3s. I mean how many of you out there heard of the Brobdingnagian Bards thanks to our MP3s?

Well, that's the reason we give away as many MP3s as we do. We're building a fan base over the long-term. Yes, I want to sell my CDs now, but having fans is much better.

When we first got started on MP3.com, I remember John from Celtic Ways kept saying that MP3s were the wave of the future, and that it was time for bands to start preparing for the collapse of CD sales altogether. He predicted CDs would be out by 2005.

Not likely, but I think he's right. Eventually, musicians will have to find a new way to adapt to the changing musical technology. The Major Labels have yet to figure this one out... okay, not entirely true, they've succeeded in stemming the tide of illegal downloads, which I guess is somewhat good since it preserves our livelihood a wee bit longer. And they've also finally started an intelligent way of getting digital music into the hands of the consumers, thanks to iTunes and whatnot. But even this will die soon.

I haven't even yet mentioned that our music is now for sale on most of those digital portals though because, aside from me being a slow adapter, I still consider free MP3s an important aspect of the way we build our fan base... We bring them in with the lure of free MP3s. Give them plenty of music to listen and learn to appreciate our musical style, and then encourage them to buy our albums. To some degree this isn't the most profitable way to promote ourselves, but again, I'm looking at the long-term.

What will the future have in store? Who can say? Right now, we try to adapt and accept that digital music is here to stay. Shoot, my drive up to Kansas City was a blast. I had six CDs of MP3 mixes. Now THAT was cool! Play one till I get tired.

Been starting to think that that might be a better way to go considering the size of our growing catalog. But not yet. Right now, we take it one wee guerrilla promo tactic at a time.

So while I'm doing that, let me remind you to tell your friends to go listen to our music. I'm pretty certain your signature could use something like this...

Free and Legal Celtic MP3s http://www.thebards.net/#MarcGunn

Soul of a Harper needs reviews!

Well, Soul of a Harper is now for sale at CDBaby. I'm selling at a fairly low price to encourage people to buy it, but there are many more factors than price when buying CDs. Soul of a Harper needs reviews.

If you've already bought a copy of the CD, please head over to CDBaby's Soul of a Harper webpage and tell people how much you enjoy the CD.

Course if you don't have a copy, you can order it direct from my website and get a great deal in the process. So get your copy of Soul of a Harper today.

In other news, I am looking into setting up an official CD release for the album in February. I'll keep ye informed on the whens and wheres.

PS. If you're looking for a place you can order it in Austin, check out Things Celtic. Great store to find everything Celtic in Austin.

The News... good or bad? Depends on your perspective

Well after more contemplation, it looks like I'll be working at UT for one more year at least. No job quitting tour just yet. Whyzzat, ye ask?

Well, while I highly expect that it'll be financially feasible. The big thing I found out is that in thirteen months, I'll be due ten months retirement with State of Texas. So I figure, I can last one more year, even if it's gonna mean I'll have an exhausting hellish Fall in particular.

Course, this also give me a good opportunity to save up my money too. Mayhaps by this time next year, I'll actually have a savings for a change. Well I'll try that's for sure.

Love that Rennie Hoochie Mama

It's been a great weekend. Friday, I had dinner with the folks. Yesterday, I jammed all day with Andrew and Michelle, working out songs for our next CD, Real Men Wear Kilts. Then last night, we had a killer Rennies Night Out.

It's amazing how well the RNO has come together. Last summer, Stacy was saying she wanted to meet some of the Texas Rennies. So we picked a date and started publicizing the first Rennies Night Out. I ran out of time, but next thing I know, Stacy is running the show with incredible results.

Last night, there were folks from Houston and Dallas as well as Austin, all gathered together at Ruta Maya Coffee House with a couple dozen other folks. Everyone was out talking, laughing, drinking, and having a grand ol'time. What a great community! Stacy was all aglow. I mean she pretty much brought this group together, and look what's happened since.

Well, aside from having fun chatting there was also some live music. I love listening to live music when I get off my arse and go find it. So this was a big treat for me. The first band there was some decent Alternative background music, but in general I didnt' get into it. But the band after them... OY!

The band was called the Texas Eastside Kings. They were a bunch of old black men playing good blues. Now, when I say "good", I mean non-contemporary Stevie Ray Vaughn junk (I'm not a fan of his style), but the stuff that makes ye groove... and dance... Mmm! Jeremy said it best, "how can you call it the blues when it makes you feel so good?"

But that's what it did. Straight from the heart. I had to buy the CD. Number one, to support the band and number two, cuz I dug the music. Well, I got a winner! Their self-titled CD, Texas Eastside Kings is awesome! Raw and packed full of bluesy tunes that make your heart sing.

Now what I find REALLY cool about the band though is what they have to say on the back of the CD. Basically, after WWII, Austin was one of the top places to go to listen to the Blues. Many of the Blues legends would come to East Austin and play in the clubs there. The guys on this CD were some of the folks who played back up for these Blues legends, and it shows in songs like "Hoochie Mama" and "You Hurt Me", plus many other great tracks on this CD.

Left Ruta Maya high with adrenaline, crashed late, and started recording more for Real Men Wear Kilts. Ahhh, sometimes I miss having leisurely weekends.

Soul of a Harper Picked as Best of 2003

Ran into Donnelle MacKaskle of Celtic Storm at the Austin Celtic Association board meeting yesterday. I haven't had a chance to listen recently, but she said she played it last week and featured Soul of a Harper (check out this special) as one of her top 10 favorite Celtic albums of 2003! "Titania" was played last week. I'll definitely be listening this week and hope for the best. That's pretty cool especially since the latest version wasn't supposed to be officially released until this year.

BTW. The Austin Celtic Association is getting ready to have hold elections. We really could use some folks who are dedicated to promoting the Celtic culture in Austin on the board. I've served for the past two years and don't think I'll be able to continue do to other demands. But feel free to join the ACA and the board too! But at the very least if you're a member, vote. Please help out the Celtic community of Austin as you can!

Yes, I'm Nuts!
I was listening to NPR yesterday morn, and they were talking about something of mucho interest to me... low-carb diets. It made me happy because nowadays the freak diet teachers are saying it's okay to eat nuts. Course this makes me Oh so Happy... because...

Hi. I'm Marc. And I'm a nutaholic.

I so love my nuts. (get your mind outta the gutter) So it always makes me happy to read that. Yeah, nuts have a fair amount of calories, but the fat content is good for ye.

So once again, I introduce my Ode to a Nut.

Austin Chronicle Music Poll 2004 - Polls are open until January 31
Once a year, the Austin Chronicle holds a music poll to find the readers choice of the best bands and musicians in Austin. ANYONE can vote. So this is where I need your help!

Vote for the in the Austin Chronicle Music Poll.

Suggestions: Vote for Marc Gunn for Austin Musician of the Year, Male Vocals, Strings (autoharp), Misc (autoharp), songwriter.

The Brobdingnagian Bards for Austin Band of the Year, Best Performing Folk, World Music and None of the Above.

And Memories of Middle Earth for Album of the Year.

I need as much help as I can possibly get. So please help me out and tell your friends. Repost this info around the net. Thank you all in advance for your votes.

Pump up the Friendship
I just got done watching Pump Up The Volume after getting a bunch of bard business resolved happily. The movie's not great, but I enjoy it. And it reinforces some of my own thoughts and fears and passion.

I know in the grand scheme of things, I'm no Christian Slater. Hell, I'm not even a David Garza. But when you share your thoughts, people have a habit of creating their persona. They think they know you, but a journal is only a fraction of me. I can try my best to share who I am, but I will fail miserably, and people will hate me for it.

If I'm terrified of sharing then, I may as well sit in my cubicle and rot away. And I'm not. But I guess it still sucks that there's always gonna be so much misunderstanding.

One of the biggest probs with my music is communication with my partner. We come from two different worlds. Neither is better. They're just different. And it's a bitch to communicate between us. But it has to be done. And there WILL be problems without a doubt. We won't always get along. But thank God, we enjoy the music enough to stick with it and get past our bitching differences.

Gripes. We all have them. And I will never be perfect except in the mind of someone who wants to glamorize my life. But a part of me doesn't want to be glamorized. Yet, people will do it. I guess I see why people like Enya keep so much to themselves, but it's not for me.

I guess you could say I'm destined to be criticized, belittled, and insulted. As long as I promote myself in a strong consistent manner, people will have problems with my actions. But then, you could also say that's the case of anyone who believes in something. So I'll take a moment to stop whining and "talk hard".

Slainte!

Alienating Friends
Well, looks like that's the subject for the day. Not even sure why I'm doing it... yet. But I got an accusatory email attacking me for something I said. And I just don't know what I said. Ah well.

You really can't please everyone every time. So maybe that should be the more accurate story to tell. I wish I could.

I remember a few years back I was very sensitve to others. I didn't say exactly what I meant, because I was afraid I'd catch some backlash. Finally, I decided. This poetry and art... I'm allowed to express my thoughts. And man, before begin to believe it, I am NOT perfect. I'm just as pathetic as the next person. If not, more so.

Andrew and I had a discussion a month ago about how we perceived things. I realized then that I am way too selfish. I think of myself first. It's some sort of self-preservation partially ignited by the fact that my last long-term relationship I didn't think about myself much at all. The good and the bad.

So here goes: I am selfish. I am vain about my hair. I have poor self-control. I am arrogant. I am a hypocrit. I am foolish and impulsive. I'm a pretty pathetic person.

All I can say to those who see something they don't expect to see in me. I'm sorry it upsets you, but I'm only human.

(And I suspect and expect to be belittled a lot in the coming days. I guess this is where you find out who are your real friends...? Maybe... Maybe not.)

Yoga for Christians in Austin
I've been all over the web today doing research. Was looking up Attention Deficiency Disorder, and improving ones diet, and eventually, I made my way to yoga. It's interesting reading the different opinions on yoga.

I've done yoga off-and-on for about a year (mostly off). And started back up this week. Main reason was because I am wayyyy out of shape. It's pretty pathetic actually. But after sitting in a car for twelve hours driving to and from Kansas City, I needed something to loosen up.

First day back, I stretched some muscles in my back that... wow, that was just incredible... much needed. The trip got me thinking that there should be some sort of travel yoga tips. I did find some for air travel, but not really for car travel.

What's interesting is that some Christians do not look fondly on yoga since it is supposedly based around the Hindu religion. At one point, I had the same mode of thinking, but these days, I'm not concerned.

In Jesus' day, people walked most places. They worked in the fields. They were probably a lot more mobile than I am sitting at my computer typing for eight to ten hours a day. We need exercise. And while I need more aerobic exercise, yoga kinda fills the gap, allowing me to stretch my muscles, get the blood pumping, and gives me quiet time I don't take.

No, I don't do those mantras, "oo'ing" and "ah'ing". But yoga, or if you're a Christian who doesn't like a hindu term, stretching is good for the body. A healthy body flows into all aspects of your life, and in your prayers. I wouldn't be suprised if a contemporary Jesus woulda held free yoga lessons combined with quiet, calming prayer out in Pease Park in Austin...

But what's also interesting is that while some condemn yoga as a Hindu religion, they still celebrate Christmas and Easter. I guess you could say that contemporary yoga is not too much different from those formerly Pagan holidays. Which is kinda odd on my part, because I prefer not to really celebrate either of those holidays. Guess I'm somewhat of a hypocrit too.

It certainly gives me reason for thought. I have, at least with Christmas, accepted it more, and use it as a time of reflection to remember Christ's birth, but at the same time to realize that it is not a holy day by my standards.

Well, I'll let you figure out for yourself what you think of Christians and yoga, Christmas, and Easter. As for me, I know I have no religious debate about yoga for Christians.

Top Wines of 2003
One of my 30 Second Wine Advisory just came in with a list of the 2003 Best Wine Values. Cool ideas for capturing that info, but here's the list under $10:

• Protocolo 2000 Vino de la Tierra de Manchuela (Spain), $5.99
• Domaine de Pouy 2001 Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne (France),$6.99
• La Vieille Ferme 1999 Cotes du Luberon Blanc (France), $7.59
• Hugues Beaulieu 2001 Coteaux du Languedoc Picpoul de Pinet (France) $7.99
• Casa Castillo 2001 Jumilla Monastrell (Spain), $7.99
• Chateau Saint-Yves 2000 Premières Côtes de Bordeaux (France), $7.99
• Ironstone Vineyards 2001 "Obsession" California Symphony (U.S.), $7.99
• Carchelo 2000 Jumilla (Spain), $7.99
• Viña Alarba 2001 Calatayud (Spain), $7.99
• Achaia Clauss "Imperial" Mavrodaphne of Patras (Greece), $8.79
• Pasqua & Fazio "Mezzo Giorno" 1999 Nero d'Avola (Italy), $8.99
• Tatachilla 2000 Breakneck Creek Shiraz (Australia), $8.99
• Louis Jadot 2002 Beaujolais-Villages (France), $8.99
• Altos Las Hormigas 2001 Mendoza Malbec (Argentina), $9.49
• Chateau Labory 2000 Fronsac (France), $9.99
• Domaine Manoir du Carra 2001 Beaujolais-Villages (France), $9.99
• Mas de Gourgonnier 2001 Les Baux de Provence (France), $9.99
• Bonny Doon 2002 "Ca' del Solo" California Big House White (U.S.), $9.99
• Chateau du Donjon 2001 "Grand Tradition" Minervois (France), $9.99
• Wirra Wirra 2001 "Hand Picked" Fleurieu Riesling (Australia), $10
• Saint-Hilaire 2000 Blanquette de Limoux (France), $10

Wasting time in bardic-ville
Ah... vacation. How nice! I haven't had so much free time with nothing to do in a while. It's almost difficult trying to break away from the computer to get stuff done, because I really haven't thought that far ahead. Course I am doing a few things. I revamped my Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. But that's really about it. I know I have lots to do. Just haven't really done it. Ah well... I need a break.

Need some quiet time to sit and figure out what needs to be done too. Yeah... I'll make some time for that.

Everything's up-to-date at Christmas in Kansas City
Well, I am back and had a marvelous time in KC visiting many dear friends. The adventure all began on Monday with my party. I had a friend stay an extra day and after a meeting on Tuesday, I vegged. Consequently, I didn't get to finish wrapping presents or packing so Christmas eve, I went up to visit my family and saw Return of the King again, this time with my sister and her friends. Then home I went to get ready for my trip.

Early Christmas morn, I drove up and had Christmas dinner, while introducing the TnT to the rest of the family. Tiziano did really well with Foxy, but none of the other pups were quite as friendly. Torre got along with no one. So they spent most of their time in the laundry room while we ate. Then I dashed out of there to try and visit my Grandma before she went to bed.

I left the cage door open so the kits could wander around the car if they wished. But they didn't wish it. They hid in the cage the whole trip up there. We arrived around 11pm, and kitties quickly hid under the bed in the guestroom. The next morning we got up and spent a wee bit o'time before I had to leave.

How to get there? I decided to take 59 all the way up to Lawrence. It was a nice drive...but long. Twelve hours up there, and of course, every little town up there had a 20 mile per hour speed limit. That was annoying as can be! But there was one point, among the hills in Oklahoma, the sun was setting, and I had to pull over and write. I had tears in my eyes. The stridations of color were just amazing... reds, blues, violets, and yellows! It was breath-taking.

I finally arrived late that night. And the kitties once again had to adapt to a new environment. I was starting to feel bad for them. While they travelled really well, I was starting to feel bad dragging the kitties all around the nation.

Next day, I had lunch in downtown Lawrence then headed to KC. Stopped off with Christene to perform at the retirement home where she works. Played a few songs then we went on to Val's.

Val is such a sweet person to offer up her home to a bunch of strangers. But that's what she did. The house concert began shortly after 7:30 pm. I didn't count, but I think there were about 25 folks who showed. Not as many as I hoped, but a very intimate setting, sitting by the fire place with Val's kids running up staring spellbound to "Frog Kissin'".

I was a wee bit nervous. I'm really not used to performing alone, and doing a sorta last-minute organized benefit was a bit unnerving. I'm sure it didn't help that the Slicers brought a video camera to record the show. But more than that, there were many people who I didn't know to well. So it was a different environment. Fortunately, I had the love and support from those who I did know well.

Time flew by with not too many major flubs. I played two sets. The first was largely from my new CD, Soul of a Harper. The second, I had Michelle jam with me a wee bit. Michelle is the bardic drummer we've been planning on adding to the group one day. This is also when I started getting requests for songs that I don't usually perform solo... like "Ducats". Whoa! That was intresting.

Course, for me, one of the highlights, was a rough rap version of "Lanigan's Ball". I'd be throwing that around for a while, and Michelle and I goofed around with it earlier that day. Hopefully, it came out halfway decent in everyone elses mind. But I thought it worked well. And you can understand the lyrics better too.

After the show, we had a wee bardic circle with John of Commedia Sans Arte, Val's husband, and another lass on the fiddle. We jammed a wee bit, played some blues with Val singing along and just had a grand ol'time till the wee hours of the morning.

The only concern was that earlier in the evening, Tiziano had disappeared. The kids were playing upstairs in the guest bedroom and left a door open. But when I finally went up to look, I found Tiziano's secret hiding place. It was in the computer cabinet. Those kitties!

Next morn, Michelle, Marissa, Greg and I chatted for a fee hours over breakfast before I figured I didn't want to outwarm our welcome and headed on. I hooked up with another friend, Christina, and headed to her place. She and her fiancee made a delicious steak dinner while we watched the the special edition, Two Towers and caught up on what's happening in our respective worlds.

After dinner, I went to visit a couple other friends, Jessica and Christi. We went out for some drinks and dessert, flirting and having a delicious time together. Then back at Jess', we sat around chatting for a couple hours.

The house was fairly cold, so the kitties were buried under the covers sleeping, which made them pretty easy to herd into the kitty carriers. By this time, they were absolutely sick of that carrier. But we were nearing the finishing line.

The 29th, I had lunch with Cynthia at K.C. pub and then headed over to Seymoure's and caught up on things. Seymoure and Mother Pockets and family are just that family to me. I love them dearly, not to mention Seymoure is a constant inspiration to me. The man is full of inspiring ideas. He's a comedian, but doesn't stop there. His philosophy is to not leave them laughing, but rather, leave them thinking. And that's what happens.

Together, we watch a couple episodes of the Green Hornet. That was too cool. Aside from seeing Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story, I'd never seen the show. So that was too cool to see Bruce Lee do some arse-kicking on TV.

Afterwards, Mother Pockets arrived and we headed to some Buffalo Wings restaurant to celebrate Courtney's b-day. Got to do some catch up with folks before I headed back to Michelle's in prep to drive home. Michelle and I jammed a wee bit afore bed, and the next morning I headed out.

I'd tell ye what day it was, but I'm really not sure. I think the 30th.

Around noonish, the kitties and I hopped in the car and headed home. Tip: I-35 is much faster than 59. Drove down to Oklahoma in no time and stopped to visit my friend Bryan and other Noble Cause folks. Then finished the journey.

The kitties were much more relaxed on the way back. They barely slept in their cage at all. Instead, roamed the car and sneering at odd smells coming from the motor I guess. Finally arrived around 3:30am, checked email and passed out. We were all happy to be home.

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Well if you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer those as well.