Mr. Big

They played before us down the road. They staged the shows so people could go see both. Imagine that, Mr. Big fans and Waste fans unite! The show was jammed and the people of Madrid gave us the warmest welcome of the tour I think. So much passion and appreciation from this crowd AND Moe, who's sign of encouragement triggered a tom tom derailment.

Musaca, Tayfun & Turkish Tea

“They always give me a good rate, and if they don’t, I don’t renew their passports!” with a hearty chuckle afterwards, Tayfun (our guide) says while eating at the Bosphorus Grill. Tayfun is Turkish and living in Madrid working for the Turkish Embassy. His card reads “Agregaduria de Defensa” which I think is Department of Defense. A prestigious position he holds during the day and he also fly’s the flag for metal at night. His passions are his country, cooking and metal. He lives for metal. After the great Musaca, Tayfun insists on a round of Turkish Tea on him. The Tea was really good and energetic. Ceylon Tea is the actual tea and he explained that it has Tein in the tea, like coffee has caffine. The Tein had a super clean stimulation, I felt great afterwards, no jitters, etc.

Madrid Migration Meal

I slept until 11:30 and check out was noon…I never sleep that, guess I needed it. Two shows left and I am really looking forward to going home. Amy, Eddie and Linda are waiting for me. Halfway to Madrid, we stopped for lunch and I had a killer thinly pounded chicken with cheese and lightly battered onions, sandwich. I finished off with an espresso and looked for the not to be found treat. Tres Leches.

Spain…almost the final frontier.

I’m on the way to Spain and I dumped a full cup of coffee on myself. Bummed that I didn’t get to drink it I turn on the ole’ ipod to get my jams on. Yesterday and today (so far) I’ve been keeping a play list and here’s what my ears have consumed from yesterday morning’s start. Cadaver: Necrosis. Dim-Mak: Knives of Ice. Melt-Banana: Cell Scape. Poison the Well: The Tropic Rot. Propaghandi: Potemkin City Limits. Rammer: Siege of Madness and Quicksand: Slip. The Cinematic Orchestra’s Every Day has been on heavy rotation as well during the trip. Last song of Slip is almost up, I think I’ll go for Virus: The Black Flux next.
Dinner was thinly pounded steak and it wasn’t bad. Marinated in garlic, along with fries and spaghetti with pork marinara sauce as an appetizer. The sauce was really good. Show was good, I am tired as hell and can’t wait for the hotel.

Home Life

I am behind a bit and still have Spain and Portugal to post about, but while I'm home for a heartbeat, I have to mention the one my heart beats for. These two ladies are the ones in my life that put up with me and don't put up with me. The human, my ultimate other, girlfriend, partner, etc...aka AMY. She has my heart and soul and puts up with a great deal while I'm doing my thing. The Feline, darkness, quorthon aka Linda, doesn't put up with me at all...and in fact avoids me like the plague. Although signs of warming have been mounting in my favor. Must be the fish flakes I give her.

I miss Dave Chappelle

As soon as they put this on the table, I started laughing and one phrase came to mind.
"Box of Wine...puts me right out"

France

First French show, raining, nothing around, weird light fixture in the middle of the stage where the drums go. I had them 86 it so I could have more room to set up the drums. Where there was confusion about removing the lights, there was none in the kitchen. The one women wearing a Sick of it All t-shirt cooked all of it and all of it was great. Pastry pies with goat cheese and spinach similar to spanokopita, potatoes, hot vegetable stew and a yogurt, raspberry chocolate dessert. Yum!