check out the rest of their commercials. so good.

So it’s been a while since I last updated. Been a bit busy with the site I’m now working on. You can see a sneak peek in the image i posted. So far everything is on track to meet the launch this Friday. We had the site pretty much done when I did my last update, but never had a launch date. We also didn’t really have an idea how we were going to market this site or anything like that. It was going to be done how we normally do things in the world of Indie Record Stores, from the store level out. This would have meant it would of taken a little while to get it off the ground, but it still would of done pretty well if you ask me. A few weeks back we signed on this PR guy named Chris Parker and he went through and created an entire brand for not just the site, but Indie Record Stores as a whole. We had to completely re-dress the site in about a month but we got it done and now I can’t wait to launch this sucker. I can’t wait to see the response to the new design and new branding of the site.

In non-work related stuff, I’ve been busy, but not in the work sort of way. I went to Vegas for the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender. That was pretty out of control with a bunch of “doucheabilly” folks getting all drunk and crazy in Vegas. Just how I like it. This all went down at the Orleans, but I stayed at the Tropicana. Was nice to get away from the chaos at the end of the night, but did kinda suck having to get a cab all the time. The only draw back of the trip was being in Vegas for 4 days. Anything more than 2 is too much in my opinion. The best part of the trip was my buddy Megan drove out Saturday morning and we ran around Vegas till 6 Sunday morning. Got 3 hours of sleep and i ditched out on my flight home and drove with her back. That made the entire weekend. Ohh shit, i forgot about the tiki bar. Frankie’s Tiki Room is the best. I’m going there every time I go to Vegas and so should you.

Went to LA for Geri’s birthday and what an awesome time we had. Jase and Geri can down for a Belgian Beer Fest at Pizza Port in Carlsbad which was fargin awesome. Was such a great weekend all around. They then came back down for a Thee Corsairs show. That’s right, we played a show after a year of not doing anything. We opened for The Head Cat which features Lemmy from Motorhead and Slim Jim Phantom of the Stray Cats. Another amazing time with the Rex’s. This weekend we meet up with them again for a weekend at the Disneyland Resort for Jordan’s birthday. We’re gonna rock DCA on Saturday and then Disneyland on Sunday. I already know it’s going to be a crazy/fun weekend cause of the folks that are gonna be there.

Ok, i should get back to working on the site. Only got a few more days till launch.

So, here’s what’s been going on in the world of Drewvis. The biggest thing to happen is I’ve put in my “two week” notice at Lou’s, but I’m not really leaving until the 30th of December. Where are you going? you might ask. Well, here is what I’ll be doing. Lou’s is one of many independent record store part of the Coalition Of Independent Music Stores or CIMS for short. It’s a group of stores that can get really cool exclusive releases from bands and labels as well as cool free give aways due to the amount of stores and people that go through those stores rather than is say Lou’s went to a major label and asked for something cool to give away. All the stores benefit from the program. Power in numbers ya know. So, a few years back there started talk between all the stores about how to go about selling downloads. Again, if Lou tried to start his own he couldn’t one, afford it, and 2 doesn’t have the time to get all the deals worked out on his own. So as a group they all chipped in and started a download store that they all benefit from.

Tony left Lou’s after a good 20+ years working there to head the digital store being as though he had done the most extensive research on how a digital store works. He and I did a lot of searching on the web about this stuff as well as were on top of all the new crazy stuff going on in the world, thanks to digg.com, so we both had ideas going on this. He never really asked me if I would want to work on the site with em, but then again I never really asked him if I could work on the site with em as well. Fast forward a few months once details have been hashed out about the digital store and then Tony and I decide that it was time for me to come work with him after seeing the site can’t be run by just one person. This was like the first of November that it was decided and we also decided there is no way it would be cool if I only gave two weeks notice. Tony was the main guy there for so long and I kinda took over after he left. So that would be 2 big time employees leaving Lou’s and just before the holiday season. Not something we would put not just co workers, but friends and family, through.

I currently have cut down my time at Lou’s to 4 days a week, and then I work 2 days with tony on the digital store. The digital site is pretty awesome to work on. I get to listen to a bunch of music I never would check out even working at a record store. I do have to go up to Oceanside rather than Encinitas so that kinda sucks, but I’m taking the Coaster and it fucking rules. I feel all old and business like by taking the train to work every day. I need to either get an i-Phone or get a wifi card so I can surf the net or play games on the hour trip soon or I might have to take up reading. Elvia was nice enough to hook me up with an i-Pod Nano since I gave my i-Pod to Rage so i get to listen to music the whole way. I like it quite a bit.

So there’s that part of my life. The other part of my life is what is on plan for New Years Eve. On deck is a weekend in LA with Jordan, Elvia, Jase and Geri as well as out good buddy Zane Lamprey from the tv show Three Sheets. It’s cost us $209 a person, but we get open bar from 9-1:30 as well as free buffet all night long. Now I’m not talking shitty booze and weak ass drinks all night, but really good shit. Check it out on his site. The food is supposed to be really good as well so I’m really looking forward to spending time with everyone at an awesome event. After we all got our tickets I though it would be cool to see a Kings game while up there, but didn’t think they would be playing. Sure enough they are playing, but not till the 3rd so if we wanted to see em we would have to stay up in LA a few extra days and that would be expensive.

Geri decides to check into maybe renting a house near the NYE party and just hang out up there. Sure enough it’s a bit cheaper for each of us to rent a house than to get hotel rooms every night. She found this pretty awesome place and nabbed it up so we can lock it in before anyone else did. They are making the plans to show us around LA for a few days and we get to have this really nice and private place to go home to while up there. So not only is it going to be a kick ass NYE, but start to 2009. I thought playing a show with the Reverend Horton Heat and Lemmy couldn’t be any better, but shit… I can’t wait to see what happens at the end of 2009. OHHH, and the best part of going to the Kings game is that they have a deal going that game of 2 tix, 2 nachos and 2 beers starting at $57. We got the $100 and something package so it’s pretty much a 2 for 1 deal. Last but not lease Jase and Geri’s kids, Jacob and Jordan, will be joining in on the hockey action as well as our good friend Melissa. So much fun is going to be had.

Now to go back a bit, We also went to VEGAS back in September for Frozen Fury XI at the MGM. Jase and Geri joined in on the fun of course. We met Luc Robitaille as you can see in the picture. The rest of the weekend is kind of a blur though. I remember walking over to the Hofbräuhaus from the Hard Rock, but don’t remember getting back to the MGM. Lots of pool chillin was going on, lots of booze was consumed, amazing food was had and hockey was watched. It’s for sure now, We’re going to Frozen Fury every year from now on. After having that much fun 2 years in a row how could we not. We’re just going to have to make sure we don’t have all of our fun on the first day there. It’s hard to do that when you’re in Vegas though.

That’s about it for right now. What you got going on?

I have to admit, I used to hate both Arrogant Bastard Ale and pretty much anything Stone Brewery made. I guess it was all the douche bags that swore by it that turned me away from it. I was fine with my Newcastle. That was until my buddy Jase hooked us up with some pretty sweet beers. Out of the batch of all the Belgian and other beers one of my favorite was the Stone Imperial Russian Stout. Damn, I never figured a local “micro brew” could make something this damn good.

Fast forward to a week ago. Jase and Geri were down in San Diego for the Comic-Con. They had always wanted to go to the Stone Brewery to take a tour and try some of the beers they have. They said they kept reading about it in all the beer magazines they get and were ashamed we had never gone there since it’s in our back yard. Kevin at work always talked about it and I wanted to go, but never really venture to inland North County. Once we got there and saw the building they had and the layout I was pretty bummed I had not been there yet. It’s kinda weird but I felt like I was at home and that I could spend an entire day there just enjoying the beer and nice garden area they have. It’s a beautiful setup they have and not something you would expect from a smaller brewery.

We had dinner and took the tour. Our tour guide was pretty awesome and you could tell he loved his job and loves his beer. The best part of the tour of course was the taste test at the end. I’m not huge on IPA beers, but their stuff was pretty damn good. When I got to the Smoked Porter I fell in love with everything Stone. So damn smooth and amazing flavor. Right then and there I went over and purchased a Growler and filled it up with the Smoked Porter. I said I would come back all the time and fill it up and enjoy the greatness that is Stone. Once I got home and put it in the fridge I knew it would be a while before I filled it up and was kinda bummed I had gotten the thing. That was until we decided to go up and visit mom and stop by the brewery to fill up again.

Every weekend they have different specialty beers that you can fill up your Growler with and this week it was the 2006 Double Bastard Ale aged in Brandy Barrels. Again, I was not a huge fan of Arrogant Bastard to begin with so I wasn’t too sure how I’d like this one. I went with it anyways cause it’s not something they have all the time and might as well try it. Right? I mean when are they going to have it again on tap? When we got to mom’s and were doing yard work I decided to give it a try. At first it was hard to drink. Super strong, 10% ABV, and a very distinct taste. You could taste the brandy in the beer! I didn’t finish the glass and kind of regretted my decision on the beer I got. Then again it was about 3 in the afternoon and hot as hell outside where we were doing the work so a heavy, thick beer is not the best choice. In the evening when all the work was done Jordan and I had another glass of the beer and this time around it was perfect. All doubts of my purchase were thrown out the door.

By the time I was 3/4 of the way through the pint I was already feelin buzzed and could tell this beer was kicking my ass. I wasn’t going to be completely wasted, but was feelin good. I have to say that my original dislike of Stone Brewery and their beers was foolish. I now wish I would of gone to the brewery long ago to pick up their great beers. The best thing about Stone is it’s in my back yard and I’m proud to say it’s from my home town. Not too many people can say that something that so many people love and admire is from their home town. I’m lucky cause not only can I say that about Stone, I can also say that about things such as Rocket From The Crypt and The Casbah. So in conclusion, if you can get your hand on some of this Double Bastard Ale grab it. Do yourself a favor and sit outside around dusk in the summertime and enjoy. You won’t be bummed you did.

This weekend was Jordan’s birthday. He turned 30 so we decided to do something really cool. We rented a house out in Palm Springs for the weekend and invited Melissa, Jase, Geri, Spencer, and Erica to join in the fun with us. I’ve never been to Palm Springs myself but Jordan and Elvia had and they had nothing but good things to say. Jase and Geri had used this site to find a place in Portland before so Elvia checked it out for this trip. I think she picked the best house in Palm Springs. It was a pretty big 3 bedroom 3 bath house that is total retro and what comes to mind when you think of the town. We showed up at around 1pm on Friday the 2nd and within a hour Jase and Geri showed up as well. We hung out in utter amazement for a while and next thing you know Melissa arrives with the “wee bitches” as we call em. haha. Everything was perfect except for the fact the hot tub was less than hot. We called the owners of the house and they told us how to turn it on and we thought we were good to go. A few hours pass buy, some drinks had been poured and bathing suits had been put on. Check the hot tub again and still super cold. We’re getting all pissed cause we can’t use the hot tub and then Jase walks off to the side of the house. Jordan and i followed em over and there he was looking at the controls for the pool system. Pushes a couple of buttons then all of a sudden something sounds like a bomb is going to go off and we wait to see what happens. I run over and check the hot tub again and what do you know, hot water is starting to come in. Hell yeah, we were in business.

Jase runs off again to start on the dinner for the evening. He’s a pro when it comes to being in the kitchen cause the meal he made up was like it was from a 5 star restaurant. He had nice potatoes, a tomato salad and the most amazing filet mignon I have ever had. To top it off he picked the best beer to go with it. I forget the name of the beer but when you have a master cook who also knows the perfect beer to match it’s an amazing time, let me tell you. We all sit back and relax and enjoy the meal we just had and everything is working out to be the start of what looks to be one hell of a weekend. As we’re in the hot tub a little later we see Melissa and Elvia walking back and forth through the house. I wonder what they are doing and sure enough, as soon as we get out of the hot tub there is some freshly made Crème brûlée. How the hell can this get any better?? Amazing house, amazing food and best of all, the best group of people I’m honored to know. I pass out early on the couch and I dream about the wonderful day.

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Ok, new wine blog. This one is about Alice White Shiraz, if you couldn’t tell by the title of the blog. It’s a friday night and i should be out partying, but i’m not. I got the house to myself so i’m walking around naked. That’s right you guys… my bare ass is all over the couch. Better watch out Jordan and Elvia. So while the work day is winding down I start listening to the new Mike Patton album. It’s so good. Reminds me of the Mr. Bungle days. You’re probably asking yourself “What does Mike Patton have to do with wine?” and the answer is that the new album made me want to get some wine and stay in for the night. So that’s what i’m doing. Listening to Patton, drinking wine and enjoying the finer things of life.

So, this wine i’m drinking. I stop by Ralphs on the way home to pick up some dinner and some wine. Like i said before i normally just pick my wine based on the label. Tonight i was going to go with a wine i’ve had in the past but decided not to at the last minute. I saw this deal, 2 for $9.99, and how could i pass that up. I figure i’ll have wine for the rest of the weekend for only $10 when the bottle i was going to get was $10 for one. On top of it all, i really like the wines from Australia. Not sure why but they got the taste i like. This one is kinda smooth and not much flavor when you drink it. once it goes down, that’s where the flavor is. Kinda sneaks up on you. Not too harsh and not too dry. Maybe not as dry as i’d like but still pretty damn good. I suggest you try it some time. I know i’m gonna have it again.