May 12, 2005

Last night was Mac's birthday. Don and I talked about taking him something, but I didn't want to look like a groupie, and in the end Don didn't get the bottle of whiskey he thought about. We just went.
We tried to get there early, and did arrive about 6:15, but the place was already pretty full. Not quite like SXSW week, but way more than last week. Don's favorite spot was already full, so for the first set we stood down front, one of my favorite spots, so close that I could smile at Mark and get a smile back.
The stage was all decorated with balloons and a big banner that said Mac's 60th with a caricature of his face in the 0. There were flowers on the table between the couches. Since we hadn't brought a present I put in an extra big tip. Figured they'd like that more anyway. Mac kept offering to buy a round, seemingly serious, but everybody I saw just grinned back at him.
Two happy birthdays were sung, at the end of each set. I must say the first one was the better. I just remembered something he said that I think I can actually quote, that the maximum amount of Guinness would be drunk between then and Sunday, and he added, But trousers will be worn!
They did one I love I'm not sure I've mentioned before, I Will Follow. Plus all the others and maybe a few more. They actually played a little extra last night. Normally he's very strict about stopping at 8.
So Rick met us there, having driven in from Lubbock. And Pat was there, he went by himself (very rare). And I spotted Michelle's ex, Brad, so I had to speak to him.
There was a large cake decorated like a piano, so we had a little of that as the band left the stage. As we went out the back door, Mac was right there, so I told him happy birthday and gave him a little hug.
And he said, Bless your heart.

5-5-5

I was about to start looking at job ads when I remembered one of my thoughts at the Lucky Lounge last night. While watching Mark Andes play, I wished I had work that came as natural and absorbed as he looks when he is playing bass. He looked good last night in a sort of tan-colored shirt and vest with his black jeans and brown boots, but it is the way he plays that gets to me. He never looks like he is bored or thinking of something else.
I didn't mention last week that Scrappy was going to play in Europe for a few weeks, and Gurf Morlix is taking his place. He is older, more like us, and did a fine job on guitar. Don said it was more licks and less sound effects. To me it made it easier to see the control Ian has over the whole thing. It sounds like he wants it to sound. It isn't so much a collaboration.
We got there in time to hear most of Lucky, thank goodness. The crowd was very light last night, maybe because it was First Thursday as well as Cinco de Mayo. So I took the opportunity to sit on the front row in a chair. I love being so close, where I can look at everybody. And at the break Mark came up and said Glad you're here!