So....last night I went to a show at First Ave(I actually haven't gone a day without going there all week).

And I met the future Mrs. Kohout. Her name is Marnie, she's 23, is funny and smart, plays guitar and drums, can keep up a conversation, is REALLY cute, and she started talking to me.

Tonight we're going to go to the turf club if anyone would like to meet the new couple. And mark May 26, 2006 in your calendar as that is the day we're getting married.

I Love Spring.

Well, I think I'm going to start updating this blog on a regular basis again. My life is starting to get interesting again (as evidence, I present my lack of regular restful sleep).

This last weekend, I went to Chris and Sherri Kosel's wedding reception. It was a blast. I had grappo for the first time. And the other guests were all Grade A.

I also saw "The Legendary Pink Dots" at First Ave on Sunday....interesting.

more later.

Sorry about my absence.....

I'm thinking of doing this at First Avenue:
1) TWIN CITIES BAND SLAM

Find out what happens when 40 local musicians are assembled into 10 new bands. Registration is $5.00 at the First Avenue Box Office from Wed May 14 to Tues June 1. Sign up early as spaces are limited.
Local musicians of every genre: pop, rock, folk, classical, electronic (you name it), from seasoned professionals to fresh-faced teens are invited to participate in the First Annual Twin Cities Band Slam.

Entry for contestants is now set up at the First Avenue box office. Just sign up the next time you come in. People
wishing to enter the contest pay a fee of five dollars to enter their name and whatever instrument(s) they play. Deadline for entry is June 1st.

Once all entries are in, brand new bands will be assembled and given one month to come up with 15-20 minutes of material. On July 11, the bands will play in the First Avenue mainroom.

Celebrity judges Jim Walsh and Melissa Maerz from City Pages and Mark Wheat from Radio K will be on hand to determine which group has done the best job of creating a viable band in the short period of time. Bands are encouraged to record a single, make buttons/posters/t-shirts anything they can think of and these will be included in the judges consideration. The winning band gets all of the entry fee money, an appearance on KQ Homegrown, and other prizes.

Filmmakers and photographers are also needed to document the bands from the first meeting to the final performance to add a visual element to that night's performance. And perhaps, time and resources willing, produce a simple music video. If you are interested in serving in this capacity, please contact Catherine Campion at catcampion@yahoo.com.

this is the saddest thing I've read all day:

the death of a homeless man. Now that I make more money, I think I need to donate to causes that mean something to me.

Well, I've got a job. I start on the 23rd, and I'm going to be writing tax and audit software...I'll fill in on the details as they become more clear but I know this much:

60% (national and international) travel, where I'll deploy this software.
40% not travel, where I'll write this software.

I'm kind of excited.

THIS is why Republicans laugh at us.

soooooo much time has passed since the last update-3 whole weeks!

Well, I'm on the verge of being employed. I think. An offer is supposed to come in, any time now (according to the recruiter I'm going through). I guess I'll be able to travel to corporate offices, and help them customize/install this really expensive accounting/auditing software. It pays pretty good, and I think I might enjoy the travelling for a while.


here's a trail in Wisconsin I might like to ride, in the spring. And if I can afford it, this might be what I want to ride it on, so long as it accepts these (to make airline travel easier). Otherwise, I would also jump at a Waterford 1900 Adventure Cycle -I'm a sucker for a lugged frame.

Tonight I bought a IBM Websphere book. On more than a few occasions, people have asked if I have any experience with this tool-today, I decided I'd get myself some.

I went with Developing J2EE Applications with WebSphere Studio: IBM Certified Enterprise Developer (IBM Certification Study Guides) for starters.

Boy- it's been a long time since I made an update.


There have been some positive steps in getting me off the dole-next week, I've got an interview with a company named Bourne Consulting. Monday.

Over New Year, I hung out with Joe Reilly's girlfriend(Carolyn), and her friends. I had a good time, but I got pretty hammered and started calling people on my cell phone, to wish them a good new year. Good idea, but poorly executed.

I'm glad the Vikings lost their playoff bid. Now I don't have to listen to the annoying chatter that normally accompanies a (always failing) Vikings playoff run.


later, and happy new year.

So...What have I been doing so far with my unemployment?

A couple things.

1) Most importantly, I've been applying to as many jobs as I can. I got a kind of crappy severance(I think), but if I can find a job before it runs out, that's money for a new road bike or a trip or a donation to St. John's.
2) Going to as many shows as I can. This week, I've been to three shows-all of them awesome.
3) Reading. I got a new translation of Don Quixote. It'll take me a while to read but it's very good.

later.

NaNoWriMo.org : Viewing profile


A buddy of mine finished a 50000 word novel in a month. Read his steaming pile of crap!

Dixieland Auroras


This is a nice little piece on auroras.

Well, I got laid off today.

Do any of you people out there need any help?

Theater Review | 'Lysistrata': The Greeks Had Many Words for Sex, and Here They Are


This was one of my favorite Greek comedies when I was in college-it looks like it's been reinterpreted.....Too bad I'm not in NY.

BBC NEWS | Europe | Lonely lives of Ukraine's HIV children

Fucking A.