I was trying to think this evening, what is it I love so much about Italy. Sure, there are the obvious answers, like It's ITALY! But that doesn't quite explain it all, especially knowing I'm co-dependent and that one my reasons is to escape.

I've been an escapist all my life. I can't think of a time when I wasn't. Hiding mayhaps from parental divorce? Maybe. Hiding from hurt? Probably.

I watch movies nearly every night as an escape from my life. And Italy, I think that's part of the fascination. When I think of Italy, I think of

peace
serenity
happiness
adventure
tastiness
joy
inspiration
magic
excitement
communion
being outdoors

And that's why I watch movies... to capture some of those feelings. I spend a lot of time trying to visually escape to Italy or whatever world they create instead of trying to create those traits in my current world.

Mind you, I find many of those same characteristics while playing music, but it's managing the day-to-day doldrums that is the tough part.

So after realizing my love of the smells of Italy, I started making a few more changes. I'm driving more with the window down. I leave open up the windows and porch doors to the great outdoors. I turned off my A/C tonight.

It occurred to me how dependent I am on air conditioning and yet I wouldn't be surprised if A/C was half the reason for my many sinus problems. Obviously, it doesn't help much. But as I read more and more about air quality, I find I'm probably better off without it. Plus, A/C seems to hide the smells that I've been craving.

You should see me, I was driving out on 360 tonight with my nose stuck out the window like a dog, trying to smell something. But there really wasn't anything to smell, it seemed. I made out nothing pleasing... to the nose at least.

To the skin, the window blowing fast on my arm, it was like a blessed massage. To my eyes, the dark night's sky, a few bold stars peaking through the light pollution, but out in the hill country looking back toward Austin, even that was visually pleasing.

When I'm Italy, I don't watch much TV. Sure I could in Italian. But I don't want to. My fondest memories are those sitting out on a porch of my Grandmas up in Belton or in the NE Texas pines. Playing in the woods as a child and spending a LOT of time down by the tiny creek catching crayfish, salamanders, frogs, snakes, and bass (now there's a story for ye). Or taking a walk with Bella in Italy... Or biking to the base. Selling flowers in the markets of Italy followed by a large lunch after coming home exhausted. And then passing out HARD for riposo.

There is something here that Italy doesn't have--friends.

I may not spend much time with friends except when we head off to our next faire, but my friends there are just my family. Though I must say, they are some spectacular friends.

Going to Italy and not having friends is not a totally pleasing thought. But I sure love the idea of writing more. Not having anything else to do, so I actually make more time to practice and write songs. It's a bit o'a creative haven for me. Inspiration is around every corner and fills me with joy. I can relax and not have any worries.

Here, I have to deal with them. If I moved to Italy tomorrow, I'd still have to deal with the worries. My lifestyle would probably change methinks, but the worries would be there I imagine. Just more pleasurable.

And that's the thing. I look around my apartment, and I'm bored with it. It's un-stimulating except when I put in my next DVD. But that can change too. I've never really christened this home to be own. I may not have enough time to take care of as many plants as I'd like to decorate this home, but I can decorate my home with images that will fill me with joy. I have a few, but I need more... a lot like those sweet kitty pictures that emailed me. Only it has to be something I pick. Things I want to see.

I have lots o'pictures. I just need to get them printed and framed to my heart's content.

Okay, I've rambled long enough.

The Door Refinishing Company in Houston - Houston Door Refinishing
The Door Refinishing Co. Inc. is a family owned and operated business. We have been happily servicing the greater Houston area since 1995, and are dedicated to being on time, honest, and up front about our services.

Houston Door Refinishing - Interview
Door refinishing in Houston is almost a necessity. With all the humidity that hits the city, it's tough to keep your door in a good condition unless you (a) know how to take care of your doors, or (b) have a professional to help you keep it in shape. I was talking recently with Don Price of The Door Refinishing Company in Houston (Ph# 713-515-9132) and asked him to explain a little bit about the services his company provides.

"The Paranormal" movie review
Some may see this as self-serving, but it really isn't. I included this film because it is a fun little film that shows what people can make without Hollywood expenses and salaries. Over 4 years, and spending less than $5,000 Todd Norris made an enjoyably watchable film. Most films today spend more than that a day on craft services! This is definitely serendipity cinema. In the year it was released Cinefanstic magazine voted it "Outlaw Film of the Year" and said that, someday, some smart filmmaker would remake it, scene for scene, just like the ``Psycho'' remake was done.

"Conrack" movie review
Based on the book "The Water is Wide" by Pat Conroy this is a real 1970`s movie.  It is about hope and love and equality. It is about the magic of learning and the power of teaching.

"Matinee" movie review
If you grew up at the movies, like I did, this film is a slam-dunk.
You went to the shows and devoured films like the one above and the one below.

"Hell Is For Heroes" movie review
They enjoyed him in "Magnificent 7" and "The Great Escape " but would be sure to let you know
they knew he was just an action star.
Even "Bullitt" was just a great action movie,
not "Modern Noir"

"Conspiracy Theory" movie review
You may hear the word Hitchcockian thrown around,
everyone would like to achieve something that sings
of the master, and, so, it gets used when anybody turns a corner and the music makes you jump.
You could go a long way before you find anything that has even the slightest resemblance to the works of Sir Alfred.
Well, look no further.
No, don't pay attention to the fact that it is

"The Advocate" movie review
(AKA "The Hour of the Pig")
A good guy lawyer?
A medieval good guy lawyer?
A medieval good guy lawyer
defending a pig who is charged with murder?
And is isn't a slapstick comedy?
This you got to see.

"The Devil Rides Out" Movie Review
A couple of familiar faces doing unfamiliar things. Young fans know Christopher Lee from "The Lord of the Rings" and "Star Wars," we older fans know him as Hammer Films` excellent Dracula.

"The Whistling Movies" review
This is an unusual situation. This is a review of 3 films rather than the regular single movie. The reason for this is that the set is what makes the films so wonderful. The Whistling movies are about a radio detective played by Red Skelton, who is as funny as he is smart. This was at a time when that wasn't seen as much. Through several traumas "The Fox" (Skelton's character) figures his way out of more than one tight spot without ever loosing a chance to get a laugh.

"Hearts of the West" Movie review
One always hesitates to call a movie "sweet" in this time a macho, but this is a movie that fits that bill. Full of cowboys and stunt men and the like, this is a movie that is above all, sweet at its heart. A young writer comes to Hollywood in the bygone era of Movie lot westerns and becomes part of the legend he wanted to create. He meets his idols, finds they are not what he believed them to be, sees some of the glitter rubbed off, and yet, somehow, retains that child like wonder that made him a dreamer in the first place. There are lots of people waiting to take advantage of this "rube," and a few who cherish his innocence. You will come away with a good feeling, and having had some real laughs.

"Mumford" Movie Review
I find I have an affinity for quiet little films that question everything we think of as absolute necessities to our lives.
This is another of those films. A man is known as a therapist, a damn good one when you get down to it, and he has earned the respect of the town. Then we find he has no claim to be a therapist, no credentials, no diploma. Now, what do we do? Should we flay him for lying to us? Do we question the good work he has done for us?

"Sneakers" Movie Review
There isno reason in the world that this should not have been a huge movie. WithRobert Redford, Sidney Poitier, Ben Kingsley, River Phoenix, Dan Akroyd& Mary McDonnell is certainly had star power. The IMDbsaids about it: "Complex but lightheartedthriller about computers and cryptography, government and espionage, secretsand deception and betrayal."

"The Penguin Pool Murder" Movie Review
A truly unique type of mystery film was born when they decided to team up Edna Mae Oliver (everybody's maiden aunt)

"They Might Be Giants" Movie Review
(although, I think you know it is where they got their name)
It is the kind of tale of the fantastic meeting the mundane that was a testament of 1970`s film. Imagine a well respected judge who suddenly decides that he is none other than Sherlock Holmes himself. Imagine further that they send in shrink to get him to drop the idea and come back to the real world. Now (are you following?) imagine that that Doctor is named Watson, and the adventure begins. As unlikely as this all seems, it is handled with grace and wit by the author who brought you  such wonderful creations as
"The Lion in Winter"

"Cannery Row" film review
This was another of those projects that got a lot of press in the development stages (it's a John Steinbeck story, narrated by the legendary John Huston, starring Nick Nolte, at the top of his game, and Debra Winger, just getting to that point.) But, then, nobody said very much at all after it came out. No fanfare, no raves.

"Marat/Sade" movie review
(AKA: "The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade")
This is what alternative theatre in the 1960's was about.
This is spectacle bordering on anarchy,
this is irony dancing with political treatise.
This is horror masquerading as beauty,
and vice versa.
What if "Rocky Horror" had been serious?
What if "The Devils" had been played for laughs?
This one may very well blow you away.
The Marquis De Sade (yes, that one) is directing a show in an
asylum, and is mostly entertaining himself. The show within the
show is the story of Jean Paul Marat and the French Revolution.
No, not a damn light thing here to be found.
The music is haunting, the performances likewise.
At the very least it is an experience you will not forget.

All the latest news poetry and pictures.

Happy Birthday Bilbo Baggins, The Hobbit Happy Birthday Songs Website
While reading J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, I was inspired by the Bilbo and Frodo's huge birthday party to write a song, "Happy Birthday, Dear Hobbit & Friend." As it came together I realized that the song works just as well for anyone who loves the magic of Professor Tolkien's books. Thus, was born this wee web dedication to the birthdays of JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.

Angel's Lament (a Buffy the Vampire Slayer Parody)
A parody of "How's It Gonna Be" by Third Eye Blind. This song is a howling tribute to Buffy, the Vampire Slayer and her once true vampiric love, Angel. Incidentally, this song was written before Angel was killed, and before he got his own TV series! I thought it would be the perfect parody since How's It Gonna Be includes an autoharp in their recording, and, of course, I play autoharp! I posted chords for Angel's Lament on the Brobdingnagian Bards website. It was recorded on Brobdingnagian Fairy Tales.

Brobdingnagian Fairy Tales (formerly Fairy Tales from Brobdingnag)
Fun Filk Muisc and Folk Songs

Kitty Cat (parody of Mari Mac)
Don't remember if I posted this one already. I started playing with this in my head after I sent you the joking list of songs last night for your new "Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers" album! I know it's pretty strange! Comes from 27 years of being an alcohol and drug counselor.

Live For Another Day
Breaking up is difficult. But learning to forgive one's self is even more difficult, and it's never easy to break the cycle, heal, and move on.

Marc's Poetry Blog

Brobdingnagian Fairy Tales
I just got done listening to the first three mixes from Brobdingnagian Fairy Tales, our forthcoming CD. They sound fantastic. All the research that Andrew's put into learning how to record and make great CD mixes is really paying off!

Cat Songs Pressing Down with Recent News
Aya! Seems now New York is jumping on the kitty bandwagon with a new article in CNN New York cafe caters to kitties. Seems MeowMix opened a new cafe that serves cats and humans.

CAT SONGS - New Cat CD Nearly Written
My cat songs are piling up. I already have well over the initial nine cat songs I had thought about using. Soon, I'm gonna have to filter through the songs and find the absolute best. Esp since I haven't even begun recording anything for my CD of cat songs for Irish music fans.

Brobdingnagian Fairy Tales (The Bard's Tales News)
Okay, not quite that big, but as we were contemplating the title, Fairy Tales from Brobdingnag, we hit a snare. "Brobdingnag" is a place in Jonathan Swift's novel, Gulliver's Travels. "Brobdingnagian" is an adjective in the dictionary meaning "big." By calling the CD Fairy Tales from Brobdingnag, we're effectively saying the CD is filled with fairy tales from this mystical land which is not the case.

Fairy Tales CD Update
Everyone has seemed quite interested in our CD progress so I thought I would provide an update. It now looks very promising that we will have it by DragonCon. No guarantees but very promising. Our current list of songs that we are trying to record is 23.

And the Eighth Album is Called... Fairy Tales from Brobdingnag
Whoa! The studio is going great. I drove back to Andrew's home studio last night to lay a final few tracks. Right now, we have recorded over twenty songs for this CD. I doubt they'll all fit on the CD, so this gives us room to pick the best performances for the final project.

Directory of Free Music Downloads
My directory of free music downloads is becoming every so much more popular. Yay!

Renaissance Festival Music
New CD store featuring music from Renaissance Festivals

Irish Songs & Lyrics
The Irish Songs & Celtic Lyrics directory continues to grow.

Celtic Harp Wedding Music
Looking for Celtic Harp Wedding Music for your celebration. Here are four CDs you might want to consider. Each touches a beautiful aspect of the Celtic music:

Don't Lose Web Traffic Through Your Email
I was reading the FolkBiz discussion group today and once again noticed a tragic error that happens to too many musicians. It's a simple error. One that will ensure you get web traffic and only requires seven simple characters to make it happen:

Two Easy Steps to Describing Your Band for Greater Web Traffic and More Fans, Part Two
It continues to boggle my mind how many bands don't take the time to come up with a decent description of their music. It's extremely important, and when you're marketing yourself online, it's essential.

Two Easy Steps to Describing Your Band for Greater Web Traffic and More Fans
So grab some paper, we're gonna create two simple band descriptions that will help you earn you web traffic and help you with all aspects of your music promotion. Whether you're looking to promote your band to someone in an elevator, on the phone or submitting to a directory, these two descriptions will serve you well.

More Press Releases = More Press
Over the past couple o'years, I've gotten out of the habit of writing press releases. I have a score of websites and projects that I'm working on, and I have just as many excuses as you probably have.

Free Music Marketing Articles
Dozens of free music marketing and music promotion articles with free reprint rights. I don't like to spend a lot of money if I don't have to so all articles are written from the guerrilla marketer's standpoint.

Up Your CD Sales Next Week: 13 Ways to Have a Sale
I found a great article by The E-zine Queen on improving your ezine sales. Course it easily translates into improving your CD sales.

Making Diehard Fans for Life
Everytime I make a new friend, they seem to come away with marketing ideas. Today, I got an email from one. Her name is Jen Clower-Brown. She is a fantasy artist and friend who I've worked with on a number of fantasy art projects. She wrote:

Kazaa's Free Music Downloads
Kazaa's free music downloads. Gotta love em.

Directory of Free Music Downloads
My directory of free music downloads is becoming every so much more popular. Yay!

Celtic MP3s IRISH Songs & Lyrics
Welcome to Irish Songs & Lyrics presented by the Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. The Brittish Isles are full of great music. I fell in love with Irish songs and Scottish songs by listening to bands like The Dubliners, The Corries, The Wolfe Tones, The Clancy Brothers, Ewan MacColl, and the Irish Rovers. These artists inspired me to compile this list of Celtic and Irish Songs & Lyrics with streaming MP3s free, so you can listen and learn the way I do, by ear.

Happy Birthday Bilbo Baggins, The Hobbit Happy Birthday Songs Website
While reading J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, I was inspired by the Bilbo and Frodo's huge birthday party to write a song, "Happy Birthday, Dear Hobbit & Friend." As it came together I realized that the song works just as well for anyone who loves the magic of Professor Tolkien's books. Thus, was born this wee web dedication to the birthdays of JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.

CAT SONGS - New Cat CD Nearly Written
My cat songs are piling up. I already have well over the initial nine cat songs I had thought about using. Soon, I'm gonna have to filter through the songs and find the absolute best. Esp since I haven't even begun recording anything for my CD of cat songs for Irish music fans.

Irish Drinking Songs - Free Music Downloads

Celtic Rock - Free Music Downloads

Brobdingnagian Fairy Tales
Our newest CD.

Irish Songs & Lyrics
The Irish Songs & Celtic Lyrics directory continues to grow.

Celtic Harp Wedding Music
Looking for Celtic Harp Wedding Music for your celebration. Here are four CDs you might want to consider. Each touches a beautiful aspect of the Celtic music:

Celtic Crossroads - An Evening Of Celtic Music, Comedy and Dance
The Scottish band The Rogues (Maryland Renaissance Festival favorites) and the Celtic folk music group Tinsmith headline this show that also features comedian Chris Davis (The Renaissance Man) and the Broesler School of Irish Dance, along with guest musicians, singers and championship Scottish Highland dancers.

Lunasa's on All Songs Considered
Ireland's ever-popular traditional Irish group, Lunasa was featured on All Songs Considered today on NPR (National Public Radio0. They featured the band's latest CD recorded live at Kinnitty Castle, The Kinnitty Sessions.


9 Sizzling Summer Celtic CDs You Need to Hear

Irish Drinking Songs - Free Music Downloads

Celtic Rock - Free Music Downloads

Best Celtic Album Music Award Nominees for 2004
Just Plain Folks Songwriting & Musician Network just released the nominees for Best Album of 2004. They albums are divided up into Best Celtic Album and Best Instrumental Celtic Album. Here are the nominees:

Renaissance Festival Music
New CD store featuring music from Renaissance Festivals

Kazaa's Free Music Downloads
Kazaa's free music downloads. Gotta love em.

Directory of Free Music Downloads
My directory of free music downloads is becoming every so much more popular. Yay!

Synchronicity and The Chalice Well
Way back in the early days of the Brobdingnagian Bards, when we were still trying to figure out if we were gonna keep the long band name, we were also trying to find a cool logo.

The Year of the Kilt
In 1999, we recorded and released our first CD, Marked By Great Size. We didn't have the money or a fanbase to really mass-produce the album. So instead Andrew burned the CDs at his home and printed paper CD labels of each CD. I then photocopied the black and white cover at Kinkos and assembled the cases.

Irish Pubs, Sci Fi Conventions, and Recording Studio News
I can't believe how busy we've been this year. And this month, we may not be gigging extensively, but we've had our faire share.

North Georgia Celtic Festival
What an awesome trip! We're still recovering from the sixteen hour drive to and from Gainesville, Georgia where the North Georgia Celtic Festival was held last weekend.

Brobdingnagian Fairy Tales
I just got done listening to the first three mixes from Brobdingnagian Fairy Tales, our forthcoming CD. They sound fantastic. All the research that Andrew's put into learning how to record and make great CD mixes is really paying off!

Cat Songs Pressing Down with Recent News
Aya! Seems now New York is jumping on the kitty bandwagon with a new article in CNN New York cafe caters to kitties. Seems MeowMix opened a new cafe that serves cats and humans.

CAT SONGS - New Cat CD Nearly Written
My cat songs are piling up. I already have well over the initial nine cat songs I had thought about using. Soon, I'm gonna have to filter through the songs and find the absolute best. Esp since I haven't even begun recording anything for my CD of cat songs for Irish music fans.

Brobdingnagian Fairy Tales (The Bard's Tales News)
Okay, not quite that big, but as we were contemplating the title, Fairy Tales from Brobdingnag, we hit a snare. "Brobdingnag" is a place in Jonathan Swift's novel, Gulliver's Travels. "Brobdingnagian" is an adjective in the dictionary meaning "big." By calling the CD Fairy Tales from Brobdingnag, we're effectively saying the CD is filled with fairy tales from this mystical land which is not the case.

Fairy Tales CD Update
Everyone has seemed quite interested in our CD progress so I thought I would provide an update. It now looks very promising that we will have it by DragonCon. No guarantees but very promising. Our current list of songs that we are trying to record is 23.

And the Eighth Album is Called... Fairy Tales from Brobdingnag
Whoa! The studio is going great. I drove back to Andrew's home studio last night to lay a final few tracks. Right now, we have recorded over twenty songs for this CD. I doubt they'll all fit on the CD, so this gives us room to pick the best performances for the final project.

Kitty Cat (parody of Mari Mac)
Don't remember if I posted this one already. I started playing with this in my head after I sent you the joking list of songs last night for your new "Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers" album! I know it's pretty strange! Comes from 27 years of being an alcohol and drug counselor.

Celtic MP3s IRISH Songs & Lyrics
Welcome to Irish Songs & Lyrics presented by the Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. The Brittish Isles are full of great music. I fell in love with Irish songs and Scottish songs by listening to bands like The Dubliners, The Corries, The Wolfe Tones, The Clancy Brothers, Ewan MacColl, and the Irish Rovers. These artists inspired me to compile this list of Celtic and Irish Songs & Lyrics with streaming MP3s free, so you can listen and learn the way I do, by ear.