Baghdad Batcave

Portland Swift Watch through September: Did you miss it? I did.
Birdwatchers gather on the lawn at Chapman School most evenings in September for a spectacular display of Vaux’s Swifts as they gather to roost in the school’s chimney. Volunteers from Portland Audubon will be present with information about the swifts, binoculars and a spotting scope for viewing. As many as 8,500 of these birds has been seen in one evening.
5151 NW Cornell Road, Portland, OR 97210
it looks like this:

My podcast will be up tomorrow or later this week on www.videoideo.com. I interviewed Roo from PirateX records- he is opening an all ages rock and roll venue in Springfield, near 4th and A. go to www.piratexrecords.com for more info. I'm really hopeful that having a steady all ages club other than WOW Hall and Wandering Goat will allow a bit more of a 'scene' to flourish around here.
The podcast is sponsored by audible.com and I get a commission for anyone who signs up or orders thru www.audible.com/therockshop. so mad props to anyone who gives that a go.

then, there's Shooby Taylor.... (http://www.shooby.com/)

songwriting competitions

they all ask for a $30 fee to enter. this answers the question of where the prize money comes from...

there is an annual 'John Lennon' songwriting competition ( http://apps.jlsc.com/register/ )
and an 'International Songwriting Competition' judged by Tom Waits ( http://www.songwritingcompetition.com )
I guess the idea is that you have to pay something to dredge through the dreck... I find it hard to 'IMAGINE' myself listening to hours and hours of home grown amateur musicians with their heartfelt ballads about, foot fungus, crotch rot and Mother-In-Law's cooking. maybe just out of principle, I should busk for the entrance fee...

I finally got some decent usage out of my old Fender 12 string guitar,... recording a version of 'Oh, THE WIND AND RAIN' not exactly new territory, but a very fun song... kind of in the middle between bluegrass and Irish music... PLAIDGRASS. I admit, I've always been a fan of the David Garcia/David Grisman version, but Garcia's lyrics for it are mildly retarded. so I found a really nice version by a group called ALTAN... they're a little too foofy, most of their stuff... but they have a VERY nice version of OH THE WIND AND RAIN, with better lyrics, which I've used...

Soothesayers play Thursday at Wandering Goat Coffee Company with my beloved CAMPFIRE PUNKS and then on Friday at COWFISH DANCE CLUB! for first friday artwalk. both shows are FREE, so PLEASE DON'T COME OUT TO SEE US. just kidding, you better get your asses out, for reals.

go Mertzie, its your birthday, not for real real, just for play play!

shitty shitty bang bang, we love you!