They claim it's the biggest Irish fair in the West. And while everyone loves sheep herding demonstrations, leprechauns, swordfighting, beer, and Irish food (?!), we are going for none of these reasons. We're going to see Gaelic Storm, one of our favorite bands. We saw them last September at the Ford Amphitheatre and will happily go out of our way to see them live again. They're just that good. The music is brilliant and the act is highly entertaining. Forget what you think you know about Irish Music -- their sound broke the mold. And that's why you should get off yer arses and come with us.

Not to get too political here in the land of bloggity funness, but don't wait, take someone you love to see "An Inconvenient Truth." Contrary to what you may have heard, it's not really a documentary. It's a wakeup call for everybody -- not about tree-hugging or even environmentalism in the conventional sense, but about the (near) future of civlization. About how long until Ogden Drive becomes valuable beachfront property and our good friends and relations in Manhattan need to move up a few stories. . . unless we get our sh*t together, as a species. I admit, I am a big fan of Al Gore, but this is about cold, hard scientific fact much more than it is about one particular guy who you may or may not like.

"What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know, it's what we know for sure that just ain't so."
-- Mark Twain

-jw

P.S. If you ARE feeling political, check out some of Al's recent greatest hits (you may need Real Video): illegal wiretapping, the Iraq War, and the the overall failure of the current administration. And imagine what having informed and competent leadership might look like.

Or it might only be bat blood. Either way, it is clearly a sign of the apocalypse.

Why does the weirdest stuff always seem to happen in India?

Please note that this article is in Popular Science, not the Weekly World News.

-jw

MDIII, our lovely barbecue and party that occured last Saturday Night, was great. But you'll have to take my word for it, because apparently no one took a single picture. I guess it was that much fun. So thanks to everyone who came, and thanks for all the contributed food and drink. Gregg ruled the grill and did great work, especially when latecomers showed up hungry at midnight. The diversity of edibles and beverages was impressive. Although I did note that the punch, this year, lacked a certain. . .punch. But maybe that's for the best. Oddly, the night was the windiest we've had in quite awhile, and it got a little chilly out in the back forty as the night grew long. But our intrepid crowd of Southern Californians stuck it out, even as the mercury dipped below the sixty degree mark, and that's saying something. (Most revelers were actually expat East Coasters, but that shouldn't take away from everyone else who did without their winter jackets!)

We missed everyone who couldn't make it but were glad to see everyone who did, including some friends and associates who we hadn't seen in quite some time. Get ready for the Fourth, it's just over a month away. . .

-jw

P.S. Lots of beer and wine left, come over and drink it.