Everything's Gonna Be Alright, Youngblood's Gonna Rock Ya Tonight.

Well, well. It's been a really long time since I rapped at ya. If you read the last post, you'll see something about an "Elmhurst Jazz Festival," which the jazz band attended. We did indeed rock the casbah, but it wasn't quite the cakewalk I envisioned. There was something like 40 or 50 jazz groups there from all over the country, not just the midwest. The best jazz band was probably Elmhurst's own band -- and also the funniest. Before playing, they could be heard quite well (above the crowd noise) screaming their lungs out in a practice room. The director assured us that this was some sort of sacred tradition, and not a primitive ritual of sacrifice. I can't say that I approved of some of the genres that were represented there, though. Since when did "8 amazingly, blindingly white kids singing a cappella about biblical figures" become a genre. You laugh heartily, perhaps clutching your beverage so as to ensure it doesn't spill, but yes. The 8 bright (perhaps not) college students from Somewhere, Missouri were singing about David and Goliath in a be-bop sort of fashion. I laughed until I couldn't laugh any more. Robbie (who is our drummer and also a devout Christian) pulled out a bible (the concert was in an enormous chapel, pews and all), immediately found the verse, and said, "I think I like this version better." Probably the highlight of the entire event, other than the excessive drinking, (just kidding, mom) was seeing the Dave Holland Quintet -- very very very good. That's the very old news.

The semi-old news is that our 25th Annual Rootabaga Festival was fan-freaking-tastic. I hereby guilt-trip anyone who goes here and didn't go to it into going next year. The best part other than playing at the Orpheum Theatre was listening to a new group called the Youngblood Brass Band. Some of you are familiar with them -- ask me and I'll send you one or three of their songs. They're extremely diverse and very catchy. Also Matt Wilson, who is a famous drummer, was there with his group Arts and Crafts, and I got to shake his hand and exchange funny stories with him.

Enough Jazz Stuff! I know everyone doesn't love jazz like I do. Flunk Day approaches, its date unknown. Flunk Day is when everything is canceled and people party all day long. Needless to say, it's a good thing. It usually occurs between mid-April and early May. It is announced by massive amounts of drunken seniors known as The Friars banging pots and pans (yes, literally) and blowing whistles and shouting and basically being as loud as possible. This all happens at around 7 a.m, the partying starts early in the morning. What else, what else...WONDER SHOWZEN! You must watch that show. MTV 2, Friday at 9:30/8:30 central. Most messed up show in a looong time. It's like a kids show but not for kids. I can't even describe how bizarre and disturbing it is. All you need to do is to read the warning shown before it returns from commercial: WARNING: WONDER SHOWZEN CONTAINS OFFENSIVE, DISPICIBLE CONTENT THAT IS TOO CONTROVERSIAL AND TOO AWESOME FOR ACTUAL CHILDREN. THE STARK, UGLY, PROFOUND TRUTHS WONDER SHOWZEN EXPOSES MAY BE SOUL CRUSHING TO THE WEAK OF SPIRIT. IF YOU ALLOW A CHILD TO WATCH THIS SHOW, YOU ARE A BAD PARENT OR GUARDIAN.

In other news, I've decided to forego the housing lottery next year and live in the Jazz House. Yeah, we have a Jazz House, where you can live if you happen to be into that kinda thing (being in the band helps but isn't a prerequisite).

Other news, you say? I really don't have any other news, other than that I'm approaching Methuselah's age. Being 20 is weird but it doesn't feel that different. What about relationship news, you say? Very little to report, I'm afraid. We'll see how it gows later on in the term as parties are attended and flirtations made. Hopefully I'll be updating this more often. I leave you with this thought. "Honesty may be the best policy, but it's important to remember that apparently, by elimination, dishonesty is the second-best policy." ~ George Carlin.