Thiago Smith

I don't have any room to complain about different people w/ the same name, but how popular is Thiago in Brazil? I've had Thiago of the Chicago Fire on my fantasy MLS team all year. This past weekend I saw Thiago get some playing time w/ the LA Galaxy. And neither of them should be confused w/ Thiago Martins of the Colorado Rapids. From now on all new Smith kids will be named Thiago in honor of our Brazilian roots.

13th district politics

On May 2nd NC held its primary election. On May 9th I received my first mailing from recently victorious Republican candidate Vernon Robinson. Most of the good stuff is in this page on his website, but the best stuff is reserved for esteemed unaffiliated voters like myself. Besides the classy signed graduation photo from the Air Force Academy class of 1977, it also includes some excellent double entendre or at least single entendre about his opponent Brad Miller's sexual affiliation. In a missive titled "Brad Miller's San Francisco Soul Mate," I learned that DailyKos hosts an online diary for Rep. Miller. This is the actual 2nd sentence (and it's in bold font) "Brad Miller has gotten into bed with Markos Moulitsas Zuniga, a 35-year-old musician who was raised in El Salvador before moving to San Francisco." I know from other bold faced type that "Brad Miller is a childless, middle-aged, personal injury lawyer." And despite the fact that he's married, I know that all of this makes him gay and thus unfit to serve as my congressman. No wonder Robinson is called the "black Jesse Helms."

Tiger Bear Wolf at the Flying Anvil

Last night, Maria, Sally, and I saw Tiger Bear Wolf at the Flying Anvil. TBW were of course awesome and played early on the bill so we got home before midnight. That makes babysitting grandmas happy. It doesn't sound like they are any closer to putting out a new record, but the new songs are getting better and better w/ each show. We also saw former Chapel Hill drummer/current Winston Salem guitarist Geoff Abell's band Tommygun. I like the EP they put out last year, but this was the first time I'd seen them. I'd go back even if they weren't playing w/ TBW. The Flying Anvil is freaking huge. There has been lots of publicity about the place and they could sure use it. I don't know how many people they have to bring in to make money, but they might have to get Tiger Bear Wolf to play every night (actually that would only draw in me every night but you get the point).

We all lube for You Tube

Of course I'm behind the times w/ You Tube because instead of watching early 90's English rock I'm still watching mid 70's Irish rock (check out that video and try and tell me there isn't a parallel universe where Thin Lizzy is the host of Solid Gold and that you don't want to live there). You Tube has also let me feel better about missing the current Thin Lizzy European tour. My biggest concern about the whole You Tube thing is missing out on something great before copyright infringement lawsuits shut down all the good stuff. That's why I don't feel guilty about spending 20 hours a day on the site.

NFL Draft

Some people would think that watching the NFL draft is way too much of an obsession over a sport. I have 2 examples that show I'm way past obsession. On Saturday when I had to run errands after noon, I listened to the draft on Sirius radio. Then on Sunday while watching the 5th round alone in my bedroom, I let out an audible "yes" when the Panthers drafted Va. Tech TE Jeff King. By the time the actual games start, I should be even more of a slobbering idiot.