Yeah it was another crazy weekend of nonstop insanity!  Tessa’s piercer, Dianna was participating in the Psychotic Suspensions show at Ground Zero Friday night so she wanted to go.  Neither of us had ever been to one of their shows before but for different reasons as mine was by choice!  Needless to say, I only watched as much of the people tugging and swinging on meat hooks as my crawling skin could take which was just a few minutes of Dianna in a tug o’ war with a larger female.  At least I got to catch some bands and see ONE SHOT KILLS play for the first time and pose with Reverend Belton!

We didn’t get to stay for the whole show because Tessa had to be up bright and early to go to work.  I got up a few hours later to go to Family Day at my mom’s job, JTEKT.  It was hot and miserable out but I got to stay in the shade and eat a crap ton of free food including grilled burgers and hot dogs!  NOM!

After that function was over, I made my way up to the Twisted Needle in Roebuck so Miles could do some touch up work to my Cthulhu tat.

When he was done, I made my way back down to the Pavilion in Taylors to announce the Upstate Rollergirl Evolution (U.R.G.E.) hosting the Gate City Rollergirls from Greensboro, NC.

When THAT was over, I picked up Tessa at the apartment so we could grab a quick bite to eat and head over to the Handlebar for NOXIOUS’ last show and to check out John Elhers’ and Chief Spires’ new band TEMPLE OF THIEVES with Skip Strong filling in on drums.

After that, we were beat but we managed to make just one more stop as we hit Walmart for a few groceries so that we wouldn’t have to leave the apartment on Sunday and, believe me, we did not!

A couple of our sister Entercom stations were having a premiere of the new J.J. Abrams/Steven Spielberg flick Super 8 at the Great Escape 14 IMAX theater in Simpsonville on Tuesday night so, of course, I had to go!  Tessa was called off work that day so she was able to join me.

Once again, Spielberg presents another alien movie only this one seems like The Goonies meets a pissed off E.T. with the kids making a low budget zombie flick as opposed to seeking buried treasure.  The film was well made and had one of the best train wreck scenes in a film – one that makes the one in The Fugitive look like the special effects from the silent film era!

Super 8  \m/  \m/  \m/  \m

After the screening was over, Tessa and I grabbed dinner at Ruby Tuesday’s then went to the Simpsonville and Woodruff Road Walmarts trying to find the Limited Collector’s Edition Blu-ray of AC/DC’s Let There Be Rock, the concert video that influenced me heavily in my early days as a budding adolescent metalhead.  I was excited because it was the first day the 1979 concert of the band in Paris had been available in digital form.

Unfortunately, we could not find the limited edition at Walmart despite the fact it was on their website whereas it was not on Best Buy’s.  However, it turned out that Best Buy was, indeed, the place we found it despite the product’s absence from their website.  Regardless, I now own it and got to watch it last night since I could not attend RUSH’s Time Machine Tour which kicked off at the BI-LO Center in Greenville.  Hate I missed it but I got to enjoy a killer show right in my own living room!

AC/DC: Let There Be Rock (Limited Collector’s Edition/Blu-ray + DVD)  \m/  \m/  \m/  \m/  \m/

To counter last weekend’s nonstop adventures, we decided to take it easy this weekend.  Tessa fell asleep around 10 Friday night and we both slept in until 11 am Saturday morning.  For those of you keeping count, that’s 13 whopping hours of sleep she got!

I went with her to Coop’s and we discussed getting together with her personal trainer and friend of mine Mike Baehser later.  He agreed to cook us a late lunch in return for our offer to take him to the movies.

So, after our workout, we went and grabbed a few things, took showers and went over to Mike’s.  He cooked us some tasty chicken and pasta with stuffed mushrooms which we devoured then went to Hollywood 20.

We caught the 5 o’clock showing of X-Men: First Class which I thought was pretty good despite being extremely Hollywood.  Plus I’m a fan of James McAvoy (from Wanted) and Michael Fassbender (from 300 and Inglourious Basterds) and, I gotta say, I’m now a fan of Jennifer Lawrence as she is my favorite new set of blue boobies!

X-Men: First Class  \m/  \m/  \m/  \n

I think once we got home, we didn’t leave the apartment again the rest of the weekend despite my good intentions of going to church Sunday morning which proved to nothing more than such.  Lord, I will get back in church!  As soon as I stop worshipping St. Mattress!

It was a long weekend like no other!  Tessa and I traveled all over the Carolinas from Columbia to Asheville to Charlotte for a nice minication.

We started by heading down to Columbia Friday night and stayed with my cousin Tonya and her new husband Soup.  Tonya had to work an all-nighter but still managed to join us for a trip to the Riverbanks Zoo.  Tessa had never been so I was excited about taking her for her first visit.

After several hours, we left the zoo and went to the Red Bowl in Columbia since we love the one here in Greenville and wanted to share the experience with Tonya and Soup.  I gotta say, the Columbia location isn’t anywhere close to the one in Greenville in terms of food, service and price!  Fans of the Greenville location should go somewhere else when down in Columbia!

On our way out of Columbia heading towards Asheville, my dumbass let us run out of gas – on I-26 where there were exits every 3 or 4 miles and not all of which were gas exits!  I have never in my life run out of gas and this was a BAD day to start!  As we were walking towards the nearest exit, my stomach which had been giving me fits for the better part of the day decided it would rear it’s ugly head once more forcing me to run down into the woods on the side of the interstate!  Let’s just say it’s a good thing I wear underwear on a regular basis!

Not long after my ‘crappy’ ordeal, a good Samaritan by the name of John stopped and gave us a lift to the next exit so we could get a gas can and some gas.  As we got back to my abandoned car, John’s car decides to die on him upon arrival.  Apparently some killswitch he had killed his battery temporarily and he needed a jump.  Unfortunately, we had no jumper cables so we drove a couple of exits up, finished filling my car with gas and borrowed jumper cables from the nearest Hess station.  We got back to John, jumped his car and followed him back to the Hess station to make sure he was alright and to return the jumper cables.

We finally got back on the road and reached our hotel room in Hendersonville around 9.  After we checked in, I immediately hit the shower for obvious reasons!  Not thinking I closed and locked the bathroom door and Tessa needed to get in so she could get ready herself.  So I stepped out of the shower to open the door and as soon as I swung my right leg out, my left foot began to slip in the shower.  Panicked, I tried to steady myself by attempting to plant my right foot on the bathroom floor but to no avail.  I finally landed my wet and naked ass flat on the bathroom floor.  By this point I had had enough but the show must go on so I continued to finish getting ready and we made our way to the Orange Peel.

We got to the venue around 10 while AS SICK AS US was on stage.  Unfortunately, our misfortunes of the day had caused us to miss DIXIE DEATHWISH.  We made our way backstage to get a gameplan together for my introduction for IRONSIDE who was headlining the show.

After getting the crowd hyped up, IRONSIDE came out and delivered a killer set including tunes from the new EP Prepare For War.  After the show, we were bushed so Tessa and I went back to our room and passed out!

The next morning after we checked out, we headed to her cousin Sherry and her husband Mike’s house in Clover, SC to spend the day and night before going to Carowinds on Memorial Day.  They took us out to eat at Amber Jack Seafood Restaurant in Gastonia, NC where I gorged myself on shrimp, scallops and crab legs!  Nom!

Tessa and I got up fairly early the next morning and got ready for a big day at Carowinds!  Being it was Memorial Day, we expected it to be a bit crowded which it was but not as bad as expected.  We geared up appropriately for a day at a theme park (I chose to wear a bandana on my head to protect my now bald and vulnerable noggin) and doused ourselves with SPF 30 sunblock.

We immediately hit a few roller coasters including the Intimidator before the crowds could get any worse then decided to hit the water park section.  While Tessa changed into her bathing suit, I reapplied sunblock to all of my exposed parts and we were on our way.

By the time we rode a few water rides, it was after 5 and we were starved so we stopped and grabbed some food before hitting a couple more coasters and leaving the park.  As we were leaving, I finally decided to take off the bandana which had stayed on my head throughout the entire day through water rides and all.  When I did, Tessa broke out in laughter as it was the only place on my head not exposed to UV rays whereas the rest of it had been hit with the rays that penetrated the wimpy SPF 30 (I’m used to 50+)!

Needless to say, I am wearing my hat all day at work and everywhere I go!

Last night was quite the spectacle to behold!  The best Aussie import since AC/DC, SICK PUPPIES came to our town to play the Handlebar!  They dropped by the station while I was on the air to record an interview and acoustic set with Dex so I managed to sneak into the production room and get a pic!

Before the show, the PUPS did a meet ‘n’ greet with some of our listeners.  Before the meet ‘n’ greet started, I went into the concert hall to talk to Brandon from A VACANT SOUL, one of the bands opening the show.  While we were talking, the PUPS came out to get ready for the meet ‘n’ greet so I introduced them to Brandon.  So we got talking and I made a comment about their “Shimrock n’ Roll” shirt from their 2011 St. Patty Day Run and Shim asked me my size and grabbed me one which I am proudly sporting today!

As the show got under way, I got to see many folks I know and got to hang with them upstairs where ‘little’ people like myself can enjoy a show without sniffin’ some dudes armpits!  Then Chris Siciliano, the record rep for EMI Records (SICK PUPPIES’ label) showed up and so did the tequila!

By the time I got up on stage with Dex and Paige, I was feeling mighty good!  I taunted the crowd in order for Dex and Paige to psyche up the arrival of the PUPS then made my way back upstairs to watch a killer show!

When their set was over, the PUPS made their way over to the merch table to meet and sign autographs for as many fans as they could.  Siciliano and I ran over to say goodbye to the band then went our separate ways as he had to drive all the way back to Atlanta and I had to head to….McDonald’s for some tasty McDoubles to soak up the booze!  And, yes, Tessa was the designated driver!

This weekend was yet another adventure in Twistedland!  After getting a terrific night’s sleep (considering Tessa and I passed out at 11….on a Friday night – damn, we’re getting old!), we got up Saturday and hit Borderlands comics so I could pick up a hardback copy of Marvel Zombies Vs. Army of Darkness!

We then went down the road to the Irish Pub for our cornhole tournament as a part of Test Fest.  The turnout was fantastic despite the heat….and the fact that Tessa and I can’t play cornhole worth a crap!

After getting our butts kicked by two different teams (one being the station’s own team of Tyler and Shelley from promotions who sucked almost as bad as we did where we’d go several rounds without either team scoring any points) we moved on down the road again to the Carolina First Center for the Top of the Hops beer festival.

Before even hitting any of the beer stands, my eye caught the Weather Channel booth where you could do your own on-site weather report….FOR FREE!!!!  Needless to say, I could NOT turn that down!  Check it out!

Ok, I know it’s bad so, don’t worry, I’m not giving up my day job!

Saturday night I met up with my best friend Kenny and his friend Colleen since they were in town from Atlanta.  We ended up returning to the Irish Pub since we used to always hang out there back when it was called Woodchuck’s.  They ended up crashing at our apartment and we went and grabbed brunch together Sunday at IHOP before they headed back to Atlanta.

We then went down to Hollywood 20 to catch Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides in RPX!  I gotta say that I was very impressed considering I wasn’t thrilled with the second and third films in the franchise.  As a matter of fact, I would dare say that it’s the best installment yet since it was at least as good as The Curse of the Black Pearl!

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides  \m/  \m/  \m/  \m/  \n

Last Friday was very interesting for reasons more than it just being Friday the 13th!  It was also the day some of the other folks from Entercom and I went to Laurens District 55 High School to play the best sport EVER: DODGEBALL!!!!

When we got there I have to admit I was disappointed with the balls they were using.  Instead of the inflated rubber balls I expected, they were kinda squishy and didn’t throw very well as I discovered upon my first offensive strike.  I was poised and ready to take someone’s head off and, lo, is where my ball went – LOW!  I threw it directly to the ground just a foot or so in front of me!  EPIC FAIL!!!!

It also didn’t help that we faced the Laurens High Wrestling team first!  They were calculated and organized whereas we, myself particularly, were all over the place and got our asses kicked.  I was being kinda cocky and began taunting the jocks so they ended up teaming up on me 3-to-1 with the third ball finally clipping my leg and outing me.  I think the whole team lasted less than two minutes of the six minute match.

We got one more shot at glory as we had an exhibition match against the coaches.  This time we got a game plan and performed considerably better.  However, we did still lose to the coaches but had a lot more fun the second time around!

My only regret is that the tournament was a one-off event.  I would love nothing more than to find a dodgeball league and play regularly and get in better shape and maybe even get good at the game!

The first weekend in May never fails to be one of the busiest weekends of the year and 2011 is NO exception!  First off, it is always the kickoff to our annual month long celebration of manhood, Test Fest!  Again this year started out with one of my favorite ‘manly challenges’, BOWLING!  Wade hampton Lanes was once again host to our Rock ‘N’ Bowl which was a blast as always!  This year, Tessa and my friend and personal trainer Mike Baehser got to join me!  And no, they’re NOT in the picture below!  Lol!

After the Rock ‘N’ Bowl, we went to try out the restaurant Dex recommended to me, Red Bowl on S Pleasantburg.  The food, especially the sushi, was fantastic and reasonably priced!  I think Tess and I have a new fave!

The next morning I had an appearance at Borderlands Comics on Laurens Rd for National Free Comic Book Day.  The crowd turnout was incredible as was the interesting ‘characters’ that showed up – not the least of which was the Doc Ock incarnation from Spider-Man 2!

I would have loved to have stayed longer at the event but, when my time was up, I had to head to Charlotte for the first ever Carolina Rebellion.  The lineup was stellar however I can’t say that I was too pleased with much of the execution.  By the time Tessa and I got to Charlotte, it was already 3:30 (four hours after the first band performed) and there was STILL a line of cars trying to exit the interstate.  We passed the exit and took the next one and managed to arrive at the Metrolina Expo around 4:10 – I remember because BLACK STONE CHERRY was just taking the Jagermeister Stage.

When we pulled up, we were shocked to learn that they were charging $30 for parking.  Nevertheless, we paid it and managed to park close to the front gate so we could hurry and make it to the media tent to give Dex a hand with his numerous interviews.

By the time we actually found the media tent, Dex had already finished most of the interviews but Tessa did manage to shoot some video for Dex’s interviews with GODSMACK and HINDER.

When we left the tent, THEORY OF A DEADMAN was playing on the Rebellion Stage followed by SEETHER on the Carolina Stage.  As the sun was going down, STONE SOUR took the Rebellion Stage as we did a little shopping at the I Love Vagina tent where we both got silicone wristbands that proclaim “I LOVE VAGINA!”

We made our way back to the car as THREE DAYS GRACE was taking the Carolina Stage as we had decided we could take no more.  GODSMACK and AVENGED SEVENFOLD would have to wait for another day!  We refused to pay $7 for a hot dog let alone $9 for a beer!  I mean I know concessions at events like that are always overpriced but how far can you gouge it?!  So we made our way into Pineville and stopped at a Steak ‘n Shake and grabbed food.

Again, the lineup was spectacular but changes need to be made if this event is going to be an annual occurrence.  I just don’t think concertgoers should be taken advantage of to such a degree.  Personally, since I work in radio, it doesn’t affect me because my tickets were free but for those who paid their hard-earned money, they should be cut some slack for crying out loud!

Sunday morning Tessa and I went to my mom’s church, Word of Life Ministries in Simpsonville as a Mother’s Day request.  The pastor (or ‘bishop’ as he called himself) was a bit of a showman that didn’t strike me as completely genuine but it is not my place to judge so I will not add to my observation and make it such. 

After church, we hit up the New China Buffet in Simpsonville and then stopped by to visit my ’second mom’, Aunt Pat.  We then had to head up to Spartanburg to meet with Tessa’s mom at the Regal Spartan Stadium 16 to take her to see Thor and then out to eat at Red Lobster.  Yeah, we ate out a LOT this weekend!  Good thing we didn’t eat at the Rebellion or we wouldn’t have had enough money considering we’re both flat busted!

Our webmistress Tracy JUST posted links for the FREE Planet app for Droid!  I downloaded it myself just a few minutes ago during a commercial break and then started playing the streaming audio just after I finished doing the weather.  As soon as it started, I heard myself doing the weather as the streaming audio is less than a minute behind real time!  This thing is FANTASTIC!  Did I mention it’s FREE?!?!?!?!

If you’re having trouble finding it, click here.

Easter weekend was quite interesting this year simply because a big group of my friends and I met up for a while on Saturday.  Blake and his wife Stacy met Tessa and me as well as their friends Mark and Stephanie at Chili’s on Haywood Rd.  While we were there and debating on what to do afterwards, my friend and personal trainer Mike sent me a text wondering what we were doing so we all got together at Frankie’s Fun Park for some miniature golf.

So, with Tessa and myself, Blake and Stacy, Mark and Stephanie and Mike and his girlfriend Holly all playing that made a group of eight (the recommended maximum group is a foursome)!  We ended up having to play ahead of other members of the group so as to not further congest the flow of traffic of groups playing in behind us each of which were all foursomes so it would take forever if we let them all play through.  However, it was a really fun competition with Blake smoking our asses in the second half to beat me by several strokes as I had the satisfaction of at least coming in second.  It was tough keeping score of eight players though!

After we finally finished our 18 holes, I had the urge to go relieve some pressure from dinner.  So, I hit up the men’s restroom at Frankie’s and the floor was all wet with what I hope was WATER!  As I was doing my business, the left leg of my shorts got SOAKED so it looked like I had peed my pants!  Needless to say, it was a bit embarrassing having to walk around with a soaking wet pant leg!

On Easter Sunday, Tessa and I actually made it to church for a change as we attended the early service (9 am) at Brookwood so we could meet my family at Ryan’s at 11.

After dinner, we all went back to my cousin Ray’s house to hide Easter eggs for his son Jay’s first Easter egg hunt.

Shortly afterwards, Tessa and I left so she could take a nap before heading to work that night.  Speaking of which, I gotta get back to that myself….