Two concerts, a great sorta long weekend and one royal pain in the ass. Let’s begin.

• Railroad Earth at the Rex Theater was spectacular. They’re an honest bluegrass band at heart — and a couple of the songs on Thursday really highlighted their traditional abilities — but they’re not content to keep it simple and straightforward. A lot of the songs open up nicely, leaving lots of room for the kind of improvisation I like so much. I’ll be seeing them again.
• On Saturday, we did a little more house hunting but went a little more up-close this time. We loaded our bikes in the truck so we could check out some of homes in the Mexican War Streets a little more closely and without having to worry about parking the truck or staying out of traffic. We found a could for sale that we hadn’t noticed before and spent a lot of time just checking some of the architectural details and the cool little backyards. Yeah — totally snooping. We also drove up through Brighton Heights and to look at a couple more that had just shown up on the market — one of which is very interesting. So — that trip netted us a better appreciation for the Mexican War Streets, one solid possibility in Brighton Heights and my first YouTube video. Oh, and dinner at Mad Mex.
• I worked Sunday. Meh.
• On Monday we headed to Cleveland for the Keller/Ratdog show. We allowed time for a stop at Chuck’s, the ungodly beer and wine shop in Chagrin Falls, to stock up our cooler and the shelf where we keep the good stuff at home. After a quick stop at the HP/DD home — where DD was relaxing in anticipation of seeing The Police that night, we found the coolest parking lot in the world, on the Cuyahoga River with a beautiful view, a nice breeze and just a five minute walk from Tower City Amphitheater. Keller was killer — The Wife got to see the “Stayin’ Alive” she missed at the Mr. Small’s show — and he finished with two duets with Weir, Little Feat’s “Willin'” and “All Along The Watchtower.” HP, who had to serve as a beer chick at a company golf outing, missed Keller’s set but got there just in time for Ratdog, which was even better. You’ll recall I was blown away after seeing them at the Gathering last summer, and I thought this show was head-and-shoulders better than that. I have to wonder about the influence of Steve Kimock, who is subbing for Mark Karan while Mark takes some time off to work out a medical issue. They’re very different guitarist, and while I really like Karan, I thought Kimock fit in very well. The setlist included a “Jack Straw” with a reggae break artfully inserted in the tune’s normal instrumental section, an “Easy to Slip” split by “Supplication,” an acoustic “Victim or the Crime” that I liked a lot more than I expected to and a thunderous “Goin’ Down The Road” as the second-set closer. Outstanding, and we had a much better time than DD and his boys at The Police show. The soundboard CDs I bought after are as good as I had anticipated, and I hope I won’t have to wait too long before the Keller set gets posted online somewhere.
• We got up first thing this morning — a bit painful, but not too bad — and set out for home, both with the intention of getting in late-but-full shifts at work today. But when The Wife stepped into the bathroom for her shower, she discovered there was not hot water. We checked the stove. No gas. We called the local gas company. Service had been shut off because OUR FUCKING LANDLORDS HADN’T PAID THE BILL FOR MONTHS. Even better — because the service had already been shut off, I can’t pay it to get it restored, because a deposit is now required. We eventually found that he had paid up earlier today, but couldn’t get the gas company to come out until tomorrow to turn the switch and re-start all the pilot lights. So — after establishing that he will be here at 9 a.m. Wednesday or we’ll be talking to city code enforcement officers about what’s going on, we’re hoping to spend only one day with cold showers, cold food and no clean dishes.
• I also haven’t shaved in several days. I was planning on doing that today, but after I called off work to deal with the gas thing, it, uh, got put off. The thing is, it’s about as long as the rest of the goatee, which I have been trimming pretty close recently. So: Keep the full beard for a while? Or no?
• I mentioned Mad Mex a few grafs back. If you’re near one, go, now, and order the ahi tuna fajitas. Holy. Fucking. Shit. Best meal I’ve had in quite a while.
• We need a vacation, even just a short one. Like back to that beach in New Jersey. That would be nice.
• While at Chuck’s yesterday, I found that Flying Dog makes a white ale, called “Woody Creek White.” I’m going to go have one now. Because they’re really good.
• The YouTube video has 31 hits. I’m pleasantly surprised. If you’ve checked it out, thanks. I’d still like to hear what you think, though.
• That beer is too good, and I’m too tired. Later.