Washabaugh's World back online!!!

From the Far East....Washabaugh's World has reemerged as the predominant site for all things ridiculously Washabaugh. For the 3 of you that check this thing....check back often for updates on the China adventure as well as in depth analysis on the mental effects of being 1 1/2 feet taller than almost everyone you're surrounded by.

Comedy Festival

The Bridgetown Comedy Festival was a tremendously epic endeavor. I saw many great acts, a few not so good acts, and the bottoms of many delicious pints of IPA. Great mini-vacation. A HUGE thanks to Naomi and her fantabulous roomies for the couch space!!! In addition to all of the great comedy, I also got to spend some time with my friend Zach Ward. Zach is cool...very cool! It was great to see him.

CATCHING UP...

I APOLOGIZE FOR THE LACK OF POSTS RECENTLY TO
WASHABAUGH'S WORLD

I AM BACK!!!

Bridgetown Comedy Festival

It is here...

A Few More Photos

England Trip

Kelly and I cruised over to England a few weeks ago and had a wonderful visit with my sister and her family. The vacation proved to be everything that we had hoped for....

Here are a few photos from the trip:

Lack of Posts

I am in England right now with Kelly. We're spending time with my sister and her family. I haven't had any time to keep up with the blog, she's got three kids under 4 years old. I will resume updating more regularly upon my return to Oregon this Friday.

Peace,
Ben

The Eugene Weekly....a f*ckin' laugh a minute

The Eugene Weekly always provides a great laugh...and this week's edition is no different! The main article (http://www.eugeneweekly.com/2009/03/12/coverstory.html) focuses on the "emerging" music scene in Eugene...and let me be quite clear...this article is full of sh*t! This is just another prime example of the Eugene Weekly's promoting of Eugene as the greatest liberal, artsy, eco-friendly, and diverse small town in America!

I am generally in favor of people having pride in their community. People that know me or that have met me know that I always am singing praises my home state of North Carolina and that I have transferred a lot of that energy to my new home in Corvallis, Oregon. That being said, there is something about the way that the EW delivers it's message that is completely irritating. Maybe its just that I've been to Eugene many times, and really haven't experienced the "magic" that the EW is ALWAYS relaying to it's readers.

I admit that I like Eugene on many levels...it most certainly is a fun place to visit. The downtown area provides a unique atmosphere and does have many things to offer. I am also very appreciative of the fact that Eugene has a plentiful smattering of establishments that host music on a regular basis. Where I get lost...is where this simple fact gets plugged into the EW's article machine (powered by the trapping and conversion of methane gas...of course!) and comes out as "emerging music scene"? WTF???

The fact that the EW is reaching for something that isn't there is only emphasized by the article's lame attempt to make a connection to the 90's emergence of the "grunge" scene out of Seattle/Tacoma. They attempt this by using "strategically placed" Nirvanaisms throughout the article....gag me now............and again....now! Did they forget that Eugene is not at all comparable to Seattle/Tacoma.....oh, and that they're both not even located in Oregon! Portland might be more comparable to the aforementioned...so Eugene, take the bench...as I think you'll be sittin' this ballgame out for the foreseeable future.

Return of the Pumpkin???

Debating a return to the Pumpkin way of life!...

EPIC YARD SALE 2 UPDATE

Check out

http://epicyardsale.blogspot.com

for the latest about 2009's upcoming

EPIC YARD SALE 2

Corvallis's premiere yard sale event!

Bridgetown Comedy Festival

I just found out about a comedy festival that will be taking place in Portland over the weekend of April 23rd.

Here's the link:
http://bridgetowncomedyfestival.com/

...It sounds off the hook! As an added bonus, my friend Zach Ward will be performing at the festival.

Check out the company that he started back in Chapel Hill:
http://dsicomedytheater.com/

...He is pretty much the man!!! Go ZACH!

West Coast Sh*t

Sometimes things happen out here on the West Coast that just throw my East Coast ass for a huge loop.

Here's a good example...

(Shout out to Bri for the photos!!!)

This whale got injured over the weekend and unfortunately didn't make it. Luke, Ian, and myself were going to go check it out but they ended up getting it buried the night before we rolled. I've still yet to ever see a real whale (dead or alive).

Crazy sh*t!!!

Phish at Hampton

Here are the setlists from the weekend:

http://www.gadiel.com/phish/

A lot of music over three days...my fingers hurts just thinking about it all.

Just Another Twit

Follow me on Twitter at:

http://twitter.com/washabaugh

EPIC YARD SALE 2

The marketing blitz has begun for the EPIC YARD SALE 2!!! 2008's EPIC YARD SALE was a huge success on many levels. This year's aims to take the whole damn thing up to the next level. In addition to all of the tremendous food and drinks...I am seeking a live band, am going to implement a VISP (very important shopper person) room that will be staffed with tuxedo wearing attendants, I am hoping to print tee-shirts, and just in-general....shoot the moon!

Keep posted to Washabaugh's World for up to date information about the most EPIC yard sale to grace the Corvallis scene.

Mary's Peak Ski Bust

Here's a few pics from last weekend of the group that went to the summit of Mary's Peak.... there wasn't as much snow as we had hoped...

Ecola State Park Pics

Here are a few pics from Kelly and I's walk in Ecola State Park:

Getting Over the Sickness

I've been a bit ill for the past few days....with a fever and aching bones. Overall, it's been a pain in the ass, but there were a few "silver linings" to the cloud.

The first one was that it gave me an opportunity to watch three movies that I had been wanting to see:

The first was George Carlin's last filmed stand up show before his death. It is titled, "It's Bad For Ya", and it was a great show. George Carlin is a comedy god. He has a very unique style and an ability to find humor in very "unfunny" (my words) topics. Check this show out if you have the time.

The next movie was "Heckler". It's a documentary of sorts that attempts to flush out why people heckle and heckling's effects on its targets. This movie scared the sh*t out of me. I don't know why I watched this movie a few weeks before my first attempt at stand up. While the movie was a bit one sided (for the performer's side), it did help point out just how disruptive and disrespectful heckling can be to performers. It also made me realize that the audience can turn on you at any time and that as a performer, you need to be ready to take control of the situation immediately. In comedy that often manifests itself through a quick insult directed back at the heckler. So I now need to think a bit about how I would handle hecklers at my show.

The final movie was Bill Maher's, "Religulous". I liked it although, it was very, very one sided. I expected this from Bill as I have followed his "Politically Incorrect" show for a while and have heard some of his old comedy bits.

Outside of watching three movies back-to-back-to-back in a fevered state, I did get started on a new book that I picked up at Powell's last weekend. The book is "The Art of Happiness" by Howard Cutler and The Dalai Lama. I'm only 30 pages in so I don't have a strong opinion about the book yet...but from what I have read I can say that I'd like to know more about The Dalai Lama and his life.

Road Trip Albums

Kelly and I went on a bit of a road trip this weekend and I wanted to post two albums that we listened to that were perfect for the drive.

The first one is an old favorite of mine that I used to rock the h*ll out of in my youth...

Pavement's Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain

The second one is the new album from Andrew Bird(check out his music...he is uber-talented)...

Noble Beast

If you are planning a road trip anytime soon...I suggest that you pick up both of these albums for the drive. ENJOY!!!

Peace,
Washabaugh

First Encounter of the Comedy Buddy Kind

In my quest to perform some stand up comedy in the next month, I have been working through a book entitled, "The Comedy Bible". Now, I know what you all are thinking...the title sounds a bit hokey! Although I agree, I have actually been very impressed with the way that it presents the material...so I am rolling with the program.

One of the things it lays out up front is finding a comedy buddy that you can bounce ideas off of and get critical feedback from. I posted an ad on Craigslist and only had 2 replies...one from someone who wanted to draw comics and TJ, who is interested in stand up.

I met with TJ the other night at the Zone to discuss what she was looking for from a comedy partner and to clearly explain what I was up to. She seemed on board and so we're going to give it a try for a while.

I'll keep you all posted...

Washabaugh

Something's Shakin' On Sesame Street

My good friend Bri sent this to my email account. CHECK IT OUT!!!...as it is one of the best You Tube Videos I've seen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ul7X5js1vE

Damn that sh*t is funky!!!

Busy, Busy, Busy

Hey everyone...
So sorry for the lapse in Washabaugh's World updates, things have been quite busy these days and I just can't get to the Zone to get things updated.

Anyway...

Kelly and I had a wonderful time at the White Swan ballet on V-day. Kelly was a bit sick with a cold but we still had a blast getting dressed up to the "9s" and hanging with Eugene's "high society". The ballet itself was quite good and even though I don't really have a trained eye for dancing, I was blown away by the skill that these dancers possessed. It must take so much dedication to get to that level.

Other than the ballet, I have been trying to get back into practicing bass regularly. The bass is such a cool instrument. I still have so far to go in terms of learning the techniques of the instrument...but when I practice I have so much fun. I am hoping to return to formal lessons with an extremely talented local bass player soon.

I am still plugging away with learning Chinese. It is very slow going, but I am starting to get a bit more confidence with the phrases that I have studied so far. One day, I hope to be able to say, "Wo shuo Zhong Wen" and really mean that I can speak the language. I'll keep everyone posted.

As most of you that know me already know, I've always been a bit of a "ponderer". Lately, there has been no shortage of things to reflect on. Out of the many things that have surfaced out of all of this thinking, one of the revelations that rose to the surface quickly was what truly makes me happy. I won't bore you with the whole list...but..I will share that in making that list, I quickly acknowledged that I often have too many things on my plate to really enjoy any of them. This doesn't really surprise me, as I have been aware for a long time that I am the type of person who has their amp on (to sort of quote Spinal Tap), "0 or 11". My hobbies were no exception. I was either not doing much, or doing way too much. Lately, I have worked very hard at identifying all of the things that I am passionate about and have attempted to sort them into a "short term/long term" list. After doing this, I feel freer as a person. It is quite exciting! And although it was difficult to come to terms with some of the hobbies that are more "long term", I know that I have things to look forward to in my life. I also have been able to be more mindful of the things that are on my current "short term" list. It feels like a win-win to me.

What are things that you all would put on your "short term/long term" list? I'd love to know so post a comment.

Thanks for reading.

Peace,
Washabaugh

Cupid's Crosshairs - Vday

These days my observation is that it's become quite popular to hate Valentine's day. And while I am able to admit that it is totally over commercialized, the concept of taking time to spend some QT with a loved one (or loved many - as in friends) doesn't seem too evil to me.

Kelly and I are celebrating Valentine's Day this year by filming a puppet show for my sister's kids and then going down to Eugene to see Swan Lake at the Hult Center. I know nothing about this ballet...so it will be cool to see what Kelly is so excited about. The last ballet I saw was the Nutcracker with Kelly and her mom, Nancy, back in Raleigh. I enjoyed myself that evening despite almost dying in a "wrong way in a one way" situation. I gotta believe that Swan Lake will be good as Kelly tends to have very good taste.

Exploring New Music In Cottage Grove

Music was (and still is) a big part of my life. During my "grumpy teenage years" I spent lots of time listening to local Chapel Hill bands to try and help figure my life out. Places like the Cat's Cradle(show to the left) served as my therapist's office as I tried to navigate the many pressures of being a teenager. Like many other aspects of my upbringing...I was blessed. The 90's were an unbelievably fruitful time for the Chapel Hill music scene. Bands such as Superchunk, Her Majesties Secret Cervix, Archers of Loaf, and Hellbender, helped defined "indie" music before it became a mainstream term.

My lifelong musical journey has taken many twists and turns, and continues to be a source of exploration both internally and externally. Since moving to Corvallis, the exploration process has slowed. Corvallis is wonderful is so many ways...unfortunately a strong music scene is not one of it's strong points. Before leaving for China, I've pledged to make more of an effort to get out to Eugene and Portland and to reconnect with the strong scenes there.

This past weekend, I, along with my good friend Travis and a new friend Landon, ventured down to Cottage Grove (just south of Eugene) to check out a local club I have wanted to explore for some time. The name of the club is the Axe and Fiddle. We went down to see Marco Benevento, a piano/keyboard player that I had heard things about but never seen. The opening act was a local band called The Guitar Recovery Project. Here are two pics from the evening:


I really enjoyed both acts. The Guitar Recovery Project was a simple trio but had a very large sound. Marco and his group had a very cool atmosphere about them...I also liked the real time visual effects that one of their friends was working from the front of the stage. Overall, the experience at the Axe and Fiddle was great. A great find in the interest provoking town 0f Cottage Grove (they had a machine gun shop on the small main drag of the town!). Please send me any new bands that you all hear of that I need to check out.

I Hope To Kill 'Em

I have elected to push myself into something that I've been to chicken shit to try in the past. I am going to perform stand up comedy in the next month or so. I have been working on some material and working on my delivery. I am f***in' scared! I will keep you all posted. Wish me luck!

Super Bowl Me

The Super Bowl is the most American of inventions.

A day of pure indulgence and frivolity. At this point in my life, I have out grown a my youthful passion for sports. Although I still occasionally enjoy playing some of the sports that I once followed, I really am not that into watching sports. ESPN means nothing to me. I would much prefer to spend my time banging on my guitars or cooking. That being said...I, like many other Americans, do enjoy drinking beers with my friends while having no particular goal in mind. Hence, I do enjoy the SUPER BOWL. Yesterday, I spent the morning in the kitchen preparing the most glutenous of foods....baby back ribs....in preparation for the big game. I had only found out days earlier that the Pittsburgh Steelers would be playing the Arizona Cardinals this year. Having had family that lived just outside of Pittsburgh for many years, I was glad to have a team to support for the game (if only marginally). Anyway, a few friends got together and did what every Super Bowl watcher does...eat a shit ton of "bad for you" food and drink beer. Like I said, my contribution was ribs...but we had plenty of other morsels that will clog, bloat, and overload our most precious of organs. I had a great time. My stomach and butt hurt by the end of the game. TOTAL VICTORY!!! Oh, and the game was pretty good too....Congrats STEELERS!

Kelly's Birthday Blowout

Kelly's odometer now reads 000028. Most of the gang gathered in Bend for the festivities....2 days of snowboarding at Mt. Bachelor sandwiching a cross-country ski trip at the Virgina Meisner snow park. Snow sports rule!!! This year was especially cool because Kel's brother, Big Dane, made the trip from North Carolina.

I unfortunately didn't get a great shot of the sleeping quarters...but let's just say that it was very reminiscent of a sleepover back in the 5th grade. I'm not sure that Matt and Leslie were prepared for the crowd...but they, like always, handled things with their usual adventurous spirit. THANK YOU MATT AND LESLIE!!!

Shredding the slopes on Bachelor was Epic! The weather conditions provided amazing views of the surrounding area. The snow condition was okay...no powder for us so far this year. Overall, the birthday weekend was an amazing time full of great friends, wonderful food, and good times. I can't wait til Kelly turns 29!!!

Where to start...

Damn...

Things have been very busy. I have not had much time to come to the Interzone and maintain the blog.

I'm back though...