The Pass

As I drove to work this morning (Friday), I played one of the CDs I burned when I got my new car last year (before I got my iPod hooked up to my car stereo). One of the songs that started to play was The Pass by Rush -- one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite bands. After the first four notes, I immediately turned off the stereo. The Pass is about suicide, and it's just too soon after Sunday's tragedy to listen to that song.

If there's anything that I would like to come of this, it's more awareness of depression and suicide. I do not know Anthony's story, but I do know that depression is both treatable... and potentially fatal.

Do me a favor? If you know someone who is depressed or has mentioned harming themselves, DO SOMETHING.

Don't know what do to? Check out SAVE - Suicide Awareness Voices of Education at http://www.save.org/.

Better yet, if the person says s/he is going to commit suicide, call 911 before the person succeeds (or even attempts). Just do it!

You have a choice - feel "awkward" about intervening, or feel unbearable guilt and horror if you do nothing... and the person dies.

If you are depressed, see your doctor now. You can get help. There is always hope - trust me on this. There is someone who cares about you... me!

My deepest condolences to Anthony's family and friends. Peace be with us all.

Six Months to Live

No, this is not my prognosis!


It's a music project my bro is involved with. Check out their site. If you click on Members, you can get a look at one of the most talented rock/prog/punk percussionists the Twin Cities has ever seen (i.e., my bro). I will let you guess which one he is... but he's not in the Dead Judds (that's your hint).


Anyway, they have a gig a week from tomorrow - Friday, June 1 at Club Underground. Just go already! It's only $5... I know you can handle that and score a beverage to boot!



Did you go to the site to find my brother? I will give you another hint:

More music!

On Monday it was announced that Rush will return to the Twin Cities on their upcoming tour to promote their latest disk, Snakes and Arrows.

While I don't have tickets in hand just yet (they go on pre-sale on April 10), I do plan on attending. The good news is that I don't have to fly to Vegas to see them -- like the last two times I saw them in concert! The bad news is that I don't have a good excuse to go to Vegas now...

If you go to their website, you can hear the first release Far Cry. Sounds like good stuff (yeah, I may be biased, but too bad!).

Welcome back to the Cities, Rush!

In other news...

Yes, I know people want an update on my mystery medical condition, but I am going to take a moment to promote two local bands instead.

Modern Day Tragedy's music is powerful yet melodic -- check it out for yourself on their MySpace page http://www.myspace.com/1moderndaytragedy.

If you're more into fast-moving punk (like from back in the day), take a listen to the Virgin Whores. Get an earful at http://www.myspace.com/virginwhores.

Enjoy.

RRRRRRrrrrroxxxxxaaaannnne!

I am going to see the Police! I got tickets yesterday... just before they sold out. Whooo hooo! I get to re-live the 80s (my formative years!).