I've had a sore throat since I got back from Ireland. I didn't go to the doctor, because of our crappy medical system, my insurance doesn't cover this problem (ie. We need universal health care). But that's fine, I don't want antibiotics in any case. So instead, I've made several visits to the student acupuncture clinic. Musicians get a discount.

The goal of Eastern medicine is to strengthen your immune system so that your body fights off infection instead of just attacking the symptom, like in Western medicine. It's much smarter, because that's really what my body needs. My immune system is weak, and it needs strengthening. Now I'm in the last few days of the sore throat. I wish it was over sooner, but at least I'm taking better care of my body.

This week:

— Quote of the Week: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” Mark Twain. I read that quote on Rick Steves website a few years back and it became my Livejournal slogan. It's so true. As soon as you leave your home, your world is opened up to different people and cultures, you often can't help but realize that our narrow-minded views are not so significant to the grand scheme of things. So please, do yourself a favor, take a trip. We are ALL guilty of narrow-mindedness. We all need healing.

— CD Release Success! My first CD release for Whiskers in the Jar: Irish Songs for Cat Lovers was a brilliant success. Had a nice-size, overflowing crowd for the shop. I need to start finding bigger venues. I'm still waiting impatiently to hear back from the Cactus whether that gig is confirmed or not. I do have a potential house concert in Dallas for a CD release in early August. Anyone in Houston? I'm still not sure about the East coast stuff yet. Not looking likely at present unless I can find some promoters out there to organize something. Contact your promoter (or become one) and let's make something happen.

— Great deal on T-Shirts from Dragon Press Graphics. Nikki O'Shea who writes and draws the Bards Comic has a Huge discount on some of the Bards T-Shirts. Shirts as low as $5. Check 'em out. Won't last long.

— Mention on The Fump. I love it when other groups mention me in song. In this fun FuMP track, Project Sisyphus mentions the Bards. And in a few days, you'll hear a Worm Quartet dedication… of sorts, to me.

— Waiting for Bilbo Comic book. Did you read Waiting for Frodo by Debbi Ohi? It was a comic preparing for the release of Lord of the Rings. She just started her latest comic, Waiting for Bilbo as we prepare for the release of The Hobbit.

— CD of the Week: Julie Delpy by Julie Delpy. I adore Julie Delpy. I first became enchanted by her from Before Sunrise, one of my favorite movies. In her follow-up movie, Before Sunset, Julie Delpy sings. I saw she had a CD and when I listened and heard one of the movie songs on her album, I bought it. It's actually really cool. It's got a nice folky, alternative, european jazzy feel to it. A couple songs remind me of Voltaire, strangely enough. I think more of the Then and Again variety of song. I've had it on loop since I bought it yesterday. I think this'll be a new favorite.

— Pub Songs Podcast – Live in Gougane Barra. I posted the podcast last week. It features some ramblings from our first day in Ireland. It's the only talking podcast I did there, but I'm hoping to put a few pub songs into a podcast this week. And I've had a request for a bards reminiscence of our trip to Ireland for A Brobdingnagian Minute. I'll see what we can do. My sore throat has stopped me from releasing a Celtic and Ren Fest podcast, but I'll get on that soon.

— Irish Songs & Lyrics updated. I added a few new lyrics from Going for Brogue to the Irish Songs & Lyrics directory.

— MarcSongs Podcast – A Drop of Nelson's Blood. I just realized that this was episode 52 of the MarcSongs Podcast. That means there is over a year's worth of free music that you can listen and download if you're subscribed. Many of these songs are podsafe. Podcasters can find my podsafe music here.

— Brobdingnagian Bards confirmed for GenCon. I don't have the details yet. All I know is that GenCon is Aug 14-17 in Indianapolis. I think Andrew's gonna try and set up some shows around the event.

— There's a Faerie Bazaar out at the Rocky Hill Ranch on June 28th, the old home of the late, great Excalibur Fantasy Faire. I'm gonna go visit. You should too. It's free!

— Check me out on Myspace, SoundClick, Demand a Show on Eventful, Wikipedia, Facebook, Livejournal, Sonicbids, and DeviantArt. And if you'd like a CD…