This weekend delivered big for the Bell entourage.

First, Friday brought me (Eric) and Travis to USF’s  radio station, WBUL.  If you know your Morningbell trivia, you’ll remember that Forgetting To Wake Up charted at number one on their station in June.  We met up with the head honcho, Jake and hit the airwaves for a full hour of Morningbell hilarity and music.  The show was so much fun and many friends and family actually got to tune in via the internet broadcast.  Our Great Aunt Bette even called and ripped us all up.  WBUL will be posting the show as a podcast soon, so stay tuned for that. 

Second, Saturday night marked the eve of Morningbell’s first performance @ Gainesville’s the Fest.  The evening was complete with superhero costumes for the band (Batman-Eric, Superman-Travis, The Flash-Evan, and Poison Ivy-Stacie) and a rousing rendition of The Monster Mash.  The crowd roared like a lion and man it was so much fun.  One wise guy shouted out “bend steel with your bare hands” to Travis.  To which, I replied “He is….” and my brain churned for the punchline, to wit: “those guitar strings are stainless steel.”  cue rim shot.

Finally, we all headed to Evan’s house for the Halloween party afterward and while Travis and I were leaving, these 3 girls from Taiwan stopped us to take pictures with us.  It was so damn funny!  They were all excited to see superman and batman walking down the street.  they all took turns taking pictures with us all the while chatting feverishly in Taiwanese (forgive my ignorance of the national language of Taiwan).

Next stop…Georgia!

Currently listening : Monster Mash & Other Songs of Horror By Various Artists Release date: By 07 October, 1997

When we were planning out this semester, we felt that we’ve done so many shows in Gainesville that it was wearing out our ability to keep things fresh.  Despite many new faces this semester, we don’t want to bore the true blue. 

So, we decided to do a Talking Heads set around Halloween time.  Hey, why not?  That will be fun.  Anyway, so it took quite a bit of work and lots of rehearsal but we finally got a rough 40 minute set together. 

Then, I started to worry that no one would come to see a talking heads set.  Hey Daddy-o, why don’t you play something from this century, the kids in town would say. 

But nonetheless, the people came.  And I think everyone had a really good time.

The show did mark the first time where we had someone from the crowd come up on stage, dance around, and try to play our instruments.  I literally tried to throw him off the stage, but he was too drunk and stubborn.  Then, he fell down, taking one of the monitors with him.  The best part of it all was before the show, he was upset that I didn’t remember his name (we’ve met before).  Well, I guess he did the trick, b/c now I won’t forget it.

Thanks to everyone who came out, especially The Most and clan, because they put their share of work in last nite. 

Currently listening : Stop Making Sense: Special New Edition (1984 Film) By Talking Heads Release date: By 07 September, 1999

This is a two person 5 minute long play that I wrote based on the events transpiring in my life Monday morning.

Setting: Gainesville Regional Airport (a very small airport with only 3 “gates,” most planes have to be boarded from the Tarmac and rarely seat more than 20 people)  It’s a lazy October morning and the 2 security guards take their jobs very seriously.  After all, you don’t have to work at Laguardia to be FAA security guard of the year.

Enter Eric, a strapping young man flying to Miami to visit his family.

Eric approaches the ticket counter to find no one there.   In fact, there isn’t anyone at all (workers or travelers) in the departure area of the airport.  (The departure area is the same as the arrival area and is approximately 15 square feet).  After a few minutes, an employee approaches the counter (in shorts and its’ 47 degrees outside) and after a brief interaction, hands Eric his ticket.

Eric walks up to the security checkpoint and makes contact with Security officer Cletus.

Cletus: Anything liquid, fragile, or perishable in your bag sir?

Eric: isn’t that the question that the Post office is supposed to ask me?

Cletus: yes.  But do you have any liquids or aerosol cans in your bag?

Eric: weren’t aerosol cans banned in like 1985?

Cletus: you know what I mean sir.

Eric: I have some deodorant, but that’s all.

Cletus: is it liquid or solid

Eric: Neither really, it’s actually a click up soft kinda material

Cletus: (with a increased look of seriousness on his face): Is it liquid… or solid… sir?

Eric: Neither.

Cletus: (Stares Eric down during a 5 second pause): Take off your jacket sir and hand it to me.  Also, empty your camera bag.

Eric: Will the machine ruin the film?

Cletus: (very sarcastically serious): it’s and X-RAY machine and it’s FILM (followed by an extended stare to let the sarcasm seep in). 

(Cletus now takes Eric’s carryon bag and brings it past the normal x ray machine to the heightened security check area.  He proceeds to open it, empty it, and swab around it with a chemical detecting swab on the end of a FAA issued swabbing stick.  He places the swab into the illegal chemical checking machine and gets negative results).

Cletus (taking Eric’s deodorant out of the bag): you can’t bring this on the plane sir.

Eric: That’s fine, throw it away.  But do you see what I mean how it’s neither solid or liquid?

Cletus: Yes, sir, but you can NOT take this on the plane.

Eric:  That’s fine!  I said throw it away.  I wanted to get a new one anyway.

Cletus: What, didn’t you like the smell or something?

Eric: No, it was too strong, and actually, I think I bought women’s deodorant.

(Eric knows full well he bought women’s deodorant.  They stopped making that type of click up for men. But seriously, what’s the real difference?  Ph balance?  I think not.  Besides, Eric only offered this information for 2 reasons: 1. to head cletus off at the pass and prevent him from disclosing the gender association of the Deodorant first and 2. to try to lighten Cletus up so he could actually board the plane).

Cletus: Yes, sir, see? (points to the word “women” on the stick)  Women’s Deodorant.  Women’s. 

Eric: Are we finished here?

Cletus: yes, go ahead.

Eric: Thank you, you’re doing a bang up job. 

Eric leaves and boards the plane. 

Currently listening : Kicking Television: Live in Chicago By Wilco Release date: By 15 November, 2005

The other day, I was buying some star shaped motion christmas lights at Target.  You see, when I go to target, I enter and exit thru the garden section.  It’s just easier that way and you can find close parking.  So, I’m walking from the holiday section up to the register area at the garden section with my lights and this older lady looks at me and says with great ire, “You don’t work here.” 

And for some reason, it made me really mad.  I was like, “oh yeah? I’ll f’in show you.” 

So, I put in an application.  Orientation is on Monday. 

Formerly known as the Weekly Planet, Creative Loafing covers The Bell in this week’s issue!

http://tampa.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A120748