Leapin’ Lizards, it’s been awhile. I’d apologize for the absence but I kind of hate when people do that. It implies that everyone is out there biting their fingernails, filled with anxiety wondering and wailing about the lack of posting here on Paul Westerberg.net.
Sheyeah.
Anyway, I’ve been really busy being a shut-in and forgetting what day of the week it is. I was at a party on Saturday night and at one point I turned to my friend and asked if it was New Year’s Eve. I would like to say it was because I was shit-faced drunk and trying to sober up. But really, it was only because I really had no idea what the date was.
But blah blah blah, you don’t care, do you?
So what am I rambling on about? Why today is one Mr. Paul Westerberg’s birthday. Seems the old goat is, hrm, 48? He is 48, I got out the calculator and did the math, carried the one, what have you.
So in honor of the old man’s birthday, I am going to make a list of 10 Things That Have Happened in My Life thanks to the music of Paul Westerberg:
- Got a tattoo
- Read The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
- Became groupie-like and followed Westerberg and His Only Friends Band to Milwaukee and Chicago.
- Met some of the kindest, most generous, smartest, funniest, most thoughtful, goodlookingest, most talented people ever. This is not bullshit. At all. I am not involved in a lot of music “fan sites” or clubs or whatever the hell you call them, so I don’t know if this is sort of par for the course with the fans of all musicians or not. But let me tell you this, a majority of the people I call Westernerds will be there for you. They’ll help you find a job, listen to you whine about a broken heart, they will cheer you on, cheer you up, and get you drunk if you need it. I think I saw this the most during The Craft invite-only concert nonsense. Every Westernerd I met and all the ones I know were trying to get everyone they ever met or knew into the concert. It was kind of amazing and I am not doing it justice in this paragraph. Perhaps I will tell you about later. It’s one of those things that when I think about or write about, I start to cry.
- Saw my name in print
- Met one of my idols
- Spent a lot of money on books, CDs, bail, DVDs, concert tickets, alcohol, hotel rooms, Asian hookers, antibiotics, bribes. . .
- Developed an appreciation for the Meat Lover’s Special at Dennys
- Started this here web site
- Got laid (just kidding, I am hoping to add that to the list by next year’s birthday)
Okay, now your turn! In honor of Westerberg’s birthday, tell us some of the things that have happened in your life because of his music.
1 – Learned that you can meet internet acquaintances in the real world without necessarily getting your kidneys removed and left in a tub full of ice.
2 – Wrote a short story inspired by ‘Here Comes a Regular.
3 – Got my first and only autograph (not to be confused with the first time I bought Autograph).
1. further alientated myself from old high school friends.
-im a relatively new fan compared to you all. how can i get a copy of shit hits the fans?
*alienated
I saw your inclusion in All Over But the Shouting… I loved it.
Stayed up all night listening to the same song on repeat and thinking about how amazing it was and still is. (“I Will Dare”)
I do that with answering machine. Its freaking amazing guitar work, and structure wise, its just stunning.
I Will Dare was my first exposure to the ‘Mats, and it was the only track I had of theirs at the time and I was so blown away by it that I couldn’t stop listening to it. Answering Machine is the one I do that with now though, because you’re right, the guitar work is incredible (and so much fun to play), it’s lyrically one of Paul’s best, the vocals are so raw and emotional, and I love how it’s just Paul and his guitar.
hey guys, thanks for nothing. just got it off megaupload.