'Crosstown Traffic'

Yep - Hendrix. As performed by 4 trombones... A good day.

Backstage w/ Bonerama

Bonerama - War Pigs

Kubica Sidelined For US Grand Prix

Unfortunately, exceedingly brave Polish F1 driver Robert Kubica has to sit out the US Grand Prix this weekend. Despite passing the physical & cognitive tests the FIA made him undergo, they are worried that should he have another accident so closely following his Canadian horror, the secondary concussion could prove more dangerous. Unfortunate indeed, but Robert proved himself a class act in the press conference today and even has an image of MY MAIN MAN in his helmet. (although he classily demurred when asked about it.)

Q: (Andrea Cremonesi – La Gazzetta dello Sport) A question for Robert. If you thought after accident, about the fact that you have the image of John Paul II in your helmet?
RK: I think it's quite personal question, so I will not comment. I mean I think it's not related to racing, so I keep it for myself.

Kubica's Crash

not for the faint of heart... Watch at your own risk. Awaiting word from F1's doctors if he can race this weekend. Fingers crossed, we should find out by 4:00 Indianapolis time today as that is when BMW has to announce their driver lineup.

Robert Kubica Survives Massive Shunt

My favorite Formula One driver (and the first ever Polish driver) Robert Kubica survived a VICIOUS crash in this past weekend's Canadian Grand Prix. Fortunately he escaped with only a sprained ankle & slight concussion -- a testament to the safety features of modern F1 cars. Kubica ran into Jarno Trulli and then launched head first at over 170mph into a wall, careening and flipping across the course, the car coming to rest on its side, with little more than the cockpit left. It was the most severe crash in recent F1 history, but fortunately Robert is okay, walking out of the hospital today with hopes of racing at the US Grand Prix this weekend - it didn't seem possible when watching on television... Everyone who saw the accident - including us, friends attending the race, and the Head of the Trauma Unit in Montreal that treated him - assumed he was dead. The indomitable spirit of the Polish...

Lobster Bake

Chris' graduation lobster bake at Gritty McDuff's in Freeport, Maine. Wow! New England magic.

Costumes!

Waltham has a costume shop!

Porch Beer Wireless...

Lunch at Margarita's in Waltham w/ Chris. Outdoor on the patio.

One of these...

Is a Harvard doctor. The other is a rabbit. See if you can tell which is which.

Harvard Limo

Ride home, post graduation dinner. Great dinner @ The Tuscan Grill.

Eques Iediensis Harvardiana

"A Harvard Jedi Knight"

Pomp & Circumstance

At Harvard for Chris' PhD graduation. Very proud of our boy... Well done, Old Sport!

Waterkeeper Alliance - Rock on Water

Attended the benefit concert at Irving Plaza last night for the Waterkeeper Alliance - a grassroots organization to preserve and protect water from pollution. A very fun night, with 5 bands in a row - kicked off by the Brothers Cumberland newest project - HYD. A great night for another good cause, and got to see the Brothers Cumby rock out Irving Plaza.

"You Gotta Love Sports..."

he said with the cigarette dangling from his lips as he threw the football in to the pool, after just having set down his beer. Spoken like a true athlete...

TOUCHDOWN!

A completion for a touchdown in the "2007 Budweiser Suburbia Pool Bowl." Touchdown - New England Pool Patriots! "Pelican Football Fever - Catch It!"

How Dare You?

A dropped pass in the dog-eat-dog world of Professional Pool Football. And the resultant (deserved) QB tantrum. You really gotta want it...

Nestea Plunge

Our version of the Nestea Plunge. Except, instead of "Dandy" Don Meredith, we have "Marvelous" Matt S. And, instead of Nestea, we have Budweiser...

Semper Fidelis

Had a great last YMCAC meeting at the U. Club, followed by an even better night with 4 Marines...

Greatest. Wallet. Ever.

Why is this the greatest wallet ever? Because Gano killed it. My new, hand-slaughtered gator wallet from Gano arrived today. And I am pleased...

Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day weekend to one & all. It means many things to many people - a long weekend from work, the start of Summer, we can wear white & linen, and that barbecue & bikini season is upon us.

But what it really means is America remembers our honored war dead. So, a special salute to those who served,to those who continue to serve and to those that have given the ultimate sacrifice.

May God bless you and keep you safe, and may perpetual light shine upon you...

Stephen Colbert & Me - Part 2

In this video, Colbert closes his speech by describing one of 4 items the Foundation was auctioning off to raise money. Described in the program as "A Night of Truthiness & Hominy," Colbert would come to your house "or condo, or apartment, or yurt, or hovel" and cook dinner - a true South Carolina low country boil - for you & 7 of your friends.

Naturally, when the bidding started, my paddle shot to the roof and I was the first bidder. However, it quickly escalated out of control. JD made an impressive bid that elicited the best line from the auctioneer, "Thank you sir, next year you will have a better table up here."

However, even that was insufficient. The dinner went for the (in my opinion) very reasonable sum of $30,000. Which was great in many ways, not the least of which is the money raised for the Posse Foundation, but also because in the video below, Colbert pleads with the audience to let him beat the "Gourmet Lunch with Martha Stewart" or he will "weep like a little girl." Colbert's dinner was the highlight of the bidding, and he tripled the bid for Martha Stewart.

(Amidst the heated bidding I, of course, leaned over to JD and asked, "Where can I sell a kidney around here?")

P.S. Also in the auction brochure, the Colbert write-up describes him as a "megamerican." I will be stealing that term... Would be a nice name for a yacht...

Stephen Colbert & Me - Part 1

Well, it's been quite a week in The Life Guzilla... In the span of one week, less than 7 days, I have had the immense pleasure of seeing 2 of my personal heroes. John McCain I mentioned previously and actually got to meet. He, of course, is an actual hero. But, thanks to the overwhelming generosity of JD, I was able to attend a benefit at Chelsea Piers last night for the Posse Foundation - an incredibly worthwhile cause. (In fact, in a later post, I will discuss the foundation. First I have to break the news to The Wife that I'm on the hook to them to raise $1.4 million over the next 3 years to open an office in New Orleans. Shh... Don't tell her...)

Not only was I blown away by the growth, success, and intentions of the Posse Foundation, but the keynote speaker was my comedic hero - Stephen Colbert. His genius, albeit brief, speech had everyone rolling and it was great to see him in person.

Thank you, JD - a great evening, in a great setting, for a great cause.

K & Z + Don Weekend

Had a delightful time here in New York visiting with Kevin & Zareen. Started out on Friday night with an EXQUISITE dinner at Aburiya Kinnosuke in midtown. Epic Japanese that brought us all right back to Tokyo.

From there we went out, predictably, to Paddy Maguire's. Saturday was spent doing errands and then meeting Don for a very nice graduation dinner at the University Club, preceded and followed by shenanigans at Bill's Gay '90's. Included, but not limited to, my singing "Great Balls of Fire" with the pianist and serving as an unofficial deputy host of the evening. From there we went our separate ways, with Matt & I continuing down to Tribeca to Biscuit's massive roof-top party. Bumped into several people I knew randomly and had a great, if crowded, time.

Sunday began with Matt coming over and then proceeding to City Crab for brunch, where K & Z came to meet us. Then we went to dinner at uber-swank tapas restaurant Alta in the West Village. Ordered the menu item "the Whole Shebang" and then ate our way to glory. Truly fantastic...

John McCain Speech

Some inspiring words from Senator John McCain's speech last Thursday. On The War, terrorism, and one very brave Navy SEAL...

Tom Brady - The Greatest

Oh boy... It took me a couple of weeks to get to -- because of the villianish hand-wringing and wicked giggling that I've been preoccupied with over this -- but TWO TIME Super Bowl MVP quarterback, pride of the New England Patriots, and arguably The Greatest Football Player of All Time -- hunky TOM BRADY was walking around the Village with his supermodel girlfriend Gisele Bundchen, wearing...

(*wait for it...*)

A New York Yankees ball cap.

I feel... what's the word? VINDICATED. For most of my adult life, several close friends, a family member, and even random acquaintances have chided me for what they perceived as a split loyalty - between the New England Patriots & the New York Yankees. "How could you? I just assumed you were a Sox fan!" they cried. No, no, Old Sport... Growing up in Connecticut means you are a New England Patriots fan, a Hartford Whalers fan (*sniff* /wipes a tear/) and have the luxury of CHOOSING between the Sox & the Yankees. I chose, at a very young age, the New York Yankees.

So too, apparently, did no less of an expert in New England sports than TWO TIME SUPER BOWL MVP QUARTERBACK FOR THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS -- TOM BRADY.

And so, in short & in closing... Suck it, Sox fans...

Silly Monkeys

Please watch...

Heroes

I had always thought heroes were unnecessary. They were for comic books. I had never idealized anyone. You should be your own hero, in your own myth, I thought. Then I read Joseph Campbell, and he became a hero of mine.

Then my Father died. And I realized what he accomplished, and what he sacrificed (and my Mother too) to give my brother & I the life we have the luxury to lead. And he, and she, became heroes to me.

Then I learned more. About this country. About sacrifice. About my Uncle Harry. Who served in Vietnam, through horrors that we can only imagine. And he too became a hero to me.

and I realized.... Heroes exist. And they exist for a reason -- we need them. You & I will never be tested , God willing, the way my Uncle Harry was.

But we can believe... Because they, these heroes, have been tried & tested FOR US. And they have been found deserving FOR US.

Last night I had the great honor to meet another of my personal heroes - Senator John McCain. His story is well known by now, of the 5 YEARS he spent as a POW in Vietnam and his service to this great nation.

Last night, once again, John McCain made me believe.

This country is going through a very hard time -- I can feel the fabric of The Flag ripping. But it matters what heroes we choose, for they are us. And they should represent the best in us.

McCain is a hero. And I choose him. Hopefully the rest of the nation will as well...

Tried, tested, and found deserving... I hate politics with every fiber of my being, but John McCain is the only person in the race who DESERVES to be President. He's bled for it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOHN!

Man-about-town, raconteur, music aficionado, San Diegan artiste & beloved brother / brother-in-law John celebrates his birthday today... All of us in the Guzilla Nation wish you a very happy birthday, John!

Jazz Fest Day 1: "Bad & Nationwide"

We woke up ready to hit the Fest. Called Matt and got a ride to the Fairgrounds. Just as BIBLICAL rain started coming down. It was coming in sheets so we took shelter, even though 3 seconds of exposure soaked us. Naturally, we took shelter at Liuzza's, home of our favorite post-Fest tradition - their Bloody Marys. The atmosphere was buoyant and delightful even though rumors were spreading that things were cancelled, etc. We decided to tough it out as we had friends already inside, taking shelter in the music tents. At one point, the lights went out and everyone cheered. They quickly came back on and everyone booed.

As quickly as the rain had started, it stopped. So we decided to take our Bloodys on the hoof and went in to the Fest. The rain kept many away and we got to see ZZ Top in a much-thinned-out crowd. Truly delightful...

After the Fest we grabbed a quick burger at Checkpoint Charlie's and then went Uptown to Rock n' Bowl to meet our large group. A great show featuring Tab Benoit & Rockin' Dopsie but the wheels quickly came off the wagon and we went home just after midnight.

Jazz Fest Recap: Arrival

Okay... I did send some missives from the Fest, but now that we're back from Jazz Fest, our heads are coming out of the clouds, and I've been able to get some work done, I will give a brief Jazz Fest recap for those that have asked...

We took off very early on Thursday and, per a previous post, you really haven't lived until you've carried faerie wings through Newark Airport security. Wow... thankfully it was 6:00 am. If people had been drinking, ouch.

[Speaking of... our flight took off at 7:00 am. We were in the 22nd row. By the time the drink cart got to us after wheels up, before the opening credits finished on the in-flight movie, the passengers had drank the plane out of vodka... Good morning and welcome to New Orleans! One passenger even managed to get cut off! Well done...]

We land and Tommy D graciously picked us up. Then we dropped our stuff off, settled in, and immediately met Matt at his beautiful apartment, sat on his balcony and had Bloody Mary's and beer.

Then Jeffrey kindly picked us up and took us to Cochon, which I previously mentioned. Delicious food, moonshine & the winner was the Fried Oyster BLT that Matt & The Wife ordered. Unreal...

From there we went to Lucy's Retired Surfers Bar, where I got a cupload of mermaids that I then handed out as lagniappes for the next few days, to great delight.

After that, we meandered over to the free Fan Fest in Lafayette Square the Fest put on for the first time this year. Saw Willie Tee backed by Stanton Moore & Robert Mercurio of Galactic and Charmaine Neville.

After a great time at Fan Fest, randomly found Lil' Band of Gold playing outside at Jackson Square. A nice surprise... Then went to Cooter Brown's for a stunning Shrimp & Oyster Po-Boy, then Carrolton Station to see Anders Osborne, John "Papa" Gros & one member of Little Feat do an acoustic show.

A great first day... Music, food, music, food -- lather, rinse repeat....

Thanks Grant!

Thanks for dinner Grant!

Mother's Day in Jersey

Grant took us & the Stubbseses & the Browns to a delightful Mother's Day dinner at Raddichio's.

Crawfish Tea Party

"War Pigs"

"War Pigs" by Black Sabbath, performed on trombone, by Bonerama at the Maple Leaf in New Orleans....

Harry Connick Jr.

Harry absolutely nailed it to close out the Fest. Unbelievable...

'Smile for the Camera'

Steely Dan, live at Jazz Fest.

Sharkucopia

I have determined, scientifically, that one can fit 50 mermaids in a shark's gullet. At Lucy's Retired Surfers Bar.

Beware mermaids, beware...

Moonshine

Moonshine. At Cochon in New Orleans.

Faerie Wings

You haven't really lived until you've carried faerie wings through Newark Airport Security...

JAZZ FEST EVE Y'ALL!

It is finally here.... In mere hours we are leaving for Jazz Fest. Car is coming at 5:30, it's currently 12:30 and I still have one more work item to take care of, a last minute costume check and am listening to WWOZ online (LISTEN ALONG TO JAZZ FEST!). I can't wait and am TOO EXCITED TO SLEEP...

stay tuned for updates... HAPPY JAZZ FEST Y'ALL!

(as WWOZ just said, "if you're not here, get on a plane. get on a bus. hitchhike.")

Welcome to the Bronx

I want to thank the Good Lord...

DiMaggio.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Sox & Liquors

Chris & I at Heartland Brewery

The Texan arrived last night for a weekend visit. We had a great lunch at L'Express, went costume shopping and are now relaxing at the Heartland Brewery on Union Square. Welcome to New York...

JAZZ FEST EVE!

here it is... the most wonderful time of the year. it is officially Jazz Fest Eve. we fly down a week from today, but the Fest proper begins tomorrow. truly can't wait.

to help get in the mood, check out this video on the Jazz Fest web site. WOW...

Two of My Favorites

here are two of the best... continuing our Jazz Fest countdown... Johnny & Louis...

"we'll give it to 'em in black & white"
"music's my life. it's always been..."

Gano Blows Fire

as part of our continuing countdown to Jazz Fest -- as we are now inside 2 weeks of our departure and an official week away from the first day of Fest, 2 weeks from our first day of Fest -- here's one of my (many) favorite Jazz Fest memories.

here our good friend Gano (a direct descendant of the founder of New Orleans, Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville) blows fire late one night during Jazz Fest 2004. (you will note he stripped to the waist and stood by the pool as a safety precaution, with explicit instructions to shove him in should something go awry, as it had been years since he tried.)

COUNTDOWN TO JAZZ FEST!

The countdown to Jazz Fest has officially begun. Exactly 2 weeks from today we will be there, in that great city, and I truly can't wait. So, why not post a few items to get in the mood?

Here's a short interview with Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews who I have had the pleasure of seeing perform a number of times, in New Orleans and elsewhere (including a BLOWOUT evening with Stanton Moore in Austin, TX). Trombone Shorty is a young lion in New Orleans who grew up in the legendary Treme neighborhood, the oldest black neighborhood in America, famed for being the birthplace of historic horn players. The neighborhood (or "Faubourg") Treme also was the site of "Congo Square" which was the only place in the nation where slaves could congregate on Sundays, play their native music, keep their religions alive, and be "free" - if only for a day. The multiplicity of African, Caribbean, European and "other" rhythyms & musics gave rise to the only uniquely American contribution to world culture - "Jazz." As the clip shows, New Orleans exudes music & soul in a way not found anywhere else.

Jazz Fest can't come soon enough. Come join us! Laissez les bon temps roulez...

Colbert Does It Again

Colbert has done it again. Just when I thought my adoration for this comedic genius had hit an absolute height, he has further pushed the boundaries. Of course all of the awards foisted upon him, as well as his performance at last year's White House Correspondents Dinner, made me sit up & take notice. But then he started receiving all sorts of impressive, superfluous honors...

Now, it was nice to see a minor league hockey team name a mascot after him. And I was duly impressed when he had a Hungarian bridge named after him. Even more so when Ben & Jerry named an ice cream for him ("Stephen Colbert's Americone Dream - the sweet taste of liberty in your mouth") and he defended his flavor against Willie Nelson's in a debate, ending with them singing together.

But I was positively FLOORED when the Editor-in-Chief of Marvel Comics sent a letter describing how Captain America had left his indestructible shield to Colbert in his will as he wanted it to go to "the only man he believed had the red, white and blue balls to carry the mantle - Stephen Colbert." Watch this moving tribute below:

For a patriotic kid who grew up with Marvel Comics, this was the highest honor imaginable. Until yesterday...

Former supermodel Paulina Porizkova appeared on the show last night after earlier admitting on "the Today Show" that Colbert "is so hot." On the Colbert Report she not only reiterated that statement, but also very clearly illustrated that she has still got it. I believe there may also have been something about a new book.

For a patriotic kid who grew up with Marvel Comics, but then quickly discovered the joys of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, THIS is a pretty high honor indeed. (She appeared on the covers of both 1984 & 1985.)

I applaud you, Stephen Colbert. Well done...

Ho (the good kind)

With all of the media uproar over Imus' brand of "ho's" and the shocking tragedy at Va. Tech, the departure of a quiet entertainer from this earthly luau has gone largely unnoticed.

Don Ho, famous & nearly indistinguishable from his happy hit "Tiny Bubbles" passed away on April 14, 2007 of heart failure.

as my parents took a very young Guzilla to see Don Ho perform when we went to Hawaii (and might technically be considered my first concert - thereby starting the musical odyssey that has become "The Life Guzilla") I thought a farewell message was appropriate for the quiet crooner who couldn't escape his love for his native Hawaii and became an icon of that tropical paradise.

Don, may you have smooth sailing, glorious sunsets & tiny bubbles indeed...

E pili mau na pomaika`i ia `oe

A hui hou

Dr. John & Wynton Marsalis

Went to see Dr. John & Wynton Marsalis play last night at Jazz at Lincoln Center, courtesy of Evan Wade. A very good time, although Dr. John is better suited to a filthy dive bar at 4:30 am than a major, upscale concert venue. (I know from past experience.) JALC is a very high-end house of jazz, for right or wrong. Basically, Wynton's ivory tower here in NYC. Some great stuff comes out of it, particularly around education, but when someone with the amount of raw grit that Dr. John can muster comes through, it shows how scrubbed the place is. That being said, it's always great to see "The Night Tripper." Wynton debuted a piece he co-wrote with Maya Angelou about the history of African-American music that featured an incredible "young genius" tap dancer. A great splash of New Orleans music. Jazz Fest approaches...

The Ladies Guzilla!

Just got off the train in Hartford and went to our normal post-train dining spot, Hot Tomato's, for Momma's birthday!

The Swarthy

John, Jim & Chris. Having lunch at Duke's.

Jimmy & Johnny

John Bon in town from France. Had an EPIC dinner last night at Knickerbockers. Executive Chef Jason took care of us. Lobster bisque cappucino, tuna (steak for me) tartare, caviar nachos, shoestring onion rings, crab cakes, mashed potatoes, truffle oil bleue cheese fries... And Steak! Lots of delicious steak. Oh and 3 chocolate souffles & churros with a carmelized dipping sauce. Outrageous...

Popsie Dixon & Milo

Popsie Dixon, of legendary funk, soul, blues band The Holmes Brothers (who will be performing at Jazz Fest this year) joined Milo onstage at the Red Lion and brought the house down. A hugely unexpected, wildly entertaining gift from the music gods!

Me Jim Milo Z

Joel Forrester Live at Louis 649

Louis 649

At Louis 649 in Alphabet City, named after Louis Armstrong & listening to the music of the man himself, with live jazz starting soon. Zach & Hamsa tending bar. And, Zach made the kind offer to order us cases of Abita Restoration wholesale. 2 year anniversary of Hamsa's being found.