WTF Jamie?

Actually Arnold it is.

Last week I was at the dermatologist for one of my semi annual check ups and had him look at a very small bump that I noticed maybe two months ago. It always felt a bit sore but just look like a little bug bite or maybe an ingrown hair. After examining it he decided it was most likely a calcium deposit but the only way to be sure is to biopsy it. He took a core sample, which is like taking a straw and jamming it into your skin, but luckily he deadened the area first. Once the sample had been taken he was able to take out the remaining parts of the mass for safe measure. He was way too into this, as he showed me all the stuff removed and then chatted to me about it as he sewed me up. I got two real stiches! I have never had the real deal before.

Since he thought that it nothing major I really forgot about the mass and was more hyped about my narley stiches. On Monday though I got a call from his office assistant. The biopsy revealed that the mass was a malignant tumor and I needed to come back so he could remove a larger area of my arm to make sure that it was all gone.

At first thought I did not think at all, I just smiled and made my return appointment and went on about my day. As it all sunk in, the crazy reared it's ugly head. My uncle of no blood relation had a place on his arm he ignored and ended up losing his arm from the elbow down and now has a hook. I have always dreamed of being a pirate but never Captain Hook. If something else happens to me I swear I am going to need Suzanne Sugarbaker's luggage because when I come to the table I bring a big ole bag of nuts. Yeah I clean up ok but who in the right mind would want to deal with all my crap? A person better than me that is for sure.

Ok after I got home from my one man pity party I said the phrase that has always pulled me through, "It could always be worse." It's true, it really could be a thousand times worse and I am very lucky in many respects. Besides it is just another thing for me to get passionate about and educate the masses. I want the role of inspirational leader over martyr.

So tomorrow morning I will go have the alien mass removed. Just one more thing that I refuse to let beat me.

I am the wussy guy who gets obsessed by a song, who will sit and my room and cry while playing it over and over. Lately I have been manic with my emotions and latched onto a song.

The set up: I just bought the new Keane CD " Under the Iron Sea", which is amazing. I also loved their last CD "Hopes and Fears" If you have not listened to all, both either I highly recommend them both. From start to finish, great music.

Back to the story: Well the song in question is from "Hopes and Fears" and I decided to post the lyrics below but I suggest listening to the song. Great song.


We Might as Well be Strangers

I don't know your face no more
I feel the touch that I adore
I don't know your face no more
It's just a place, I'm looking for

We might as well be strangers in another town
We might as well be living in a different world
We might as well...

I don't know your thoughts these days
We're strangers in an empty space
I don't understand your heart
It's easier, to be apart

We might as well be strangers in another town
We might as well be living in another town
We might as well...
We might as well be strangers! Be strangers

For all I know of you now.....

This was my Jamie Cullum weekend and it did not disappoint. I fell for his take on music and the world just about two years ago when I listened to an interview he gave on NPR and instantly I was hooked. The problem was that twentysomething had a few more weeks before it released in the US. Since buying that first CD I have since purchased the concert DVD and his newest CD "Catching Tales" all of it great stuff. He is creative, imaginative, extremely talented and puts on hell of a show. My next step on my road to obsessed fan was to see him live, which I had to opportunity to do with Victoria last March and he did not disappoint. He jumped on the piano, got under it and beat it while singing Golddigger, he played the drums and almost fell numerous times. The show was the best single performance I had every seen by someone (although Rufus is a very close second). That show was special also because it was my introduction to Brandi Carlile who is another great artist.

Maybe a week before the Tabernacle show in March I found out that Jamie was coming back to Atlanta and I made it my goal to be there. I woke early one Sunday morning and even though I had to buy a crappy Train (the group) ticket I was able to get two seats so I could take Kyle. A few weeks later I find out he is going to do 3 shows right before the show in Atlanta and the Atlanta show is his last stop on the US tour. I decided I could afford one more show and so I looked at Knoxville and Nashville. I decided the Knoxville show gave me a better chance and good seats and at the time worked well for my friend and fellow fan Travis to go with me.

Travis ended up with a work conflict so I decided to take Keri instead because I know she loves a good show. So not to dwell on the details Keri and I drove to Knoxville, watch and great show and two days later I was at another show this time with Kyle.

Now that it is all done I actually wish I had gone to Nashville as well. After the last show I am left electrified but disappointed that, at least for a while, there are no more shows. I am anxiously awaiting the release of his spring European dates hoping that I can time my London trip this spring so that I can catch another show.

Yeah he is my Jason....

Shut me in
Throw away the key
Everytime I venture out
Madness finds me