He comes from the land of the ice and snow...

I made that Led Zepplin reference in the title because I just assumed that the victim, errr... person featured in this blarg entry would hate it. He hates everything and everyone. He hates getting caught in the rain and even pina coladas. He hates you. I'm pretty sure he hates The Grapefruits of Metal as well, and this is some sick way of mocking me.

And that's why I love him. Not in a "Hey, it all feels the same in the dark" kind of way, but in the you just can't help loving someone so misanthropic because it's so adorable way. I'm even hoping he hates this whole post. I'll feel like I made his life a little happier with something new to hate.

For the record, this is Derrik. He's a phenomenal guitar player (which he'll deny, and he could be right. What do I know? He could be terrible. I just know I'm super impressed when he is fooling around when he's bored and starts twiddling out the theme song to Sanford & Son or something), to which I've had the pleasure of being in two bands with, Motokops 2000, and currently Swarm of Eyes.

What? That plug wasn't subtle? Shutyourface, I can do anything I want here. Now go find the band on Facebook and like us because we are so friendly and likable.

There is so much win in this photo...

...that I don't even know where to begin.

Yes, your eyes don't deceive you, that's Debbie Gibson and Jordon Knight (from the New Kids on the Block) singing in the background. Awesome, right?

Some background of where I am and who I'm with. That's Dave. We were in the band Motokops 2000 together for almost six years. He moved to San Diego and I was out visiting him and attending the ultra stylish San Diego ComicCon that week. He's also lost something like 170lbs since this was taken. But I'm glad he was fat in this picture, it's just funnier. Skinny people aren't funny.

We decided that we'd head up to Hollywood for the day and check out all the touristy things to do. (Tour of Beverly Hills, see Grauman's Chinese theater, party with Lindsey, etc) It was 110 degrees out and Dave wore a heavy knit polo style shirt, so we had to hunt for a 5X light t-shirt for him the second we got to Hollywood. Amazingly enough we found one almost immediately. I guess they are prepared for the typical tourist.

While visiting Amoeba Records on Sunset (what a dump of a strip) they announced they were giving away two free tickets to a private show for SUGAR RAY. I happened to be standing next to the giveaway and seeing as we had nothing else to do that evening besides drive two hours home, we thought, what the hell. Free show, right? I know, it was SUGAR RAY!! We were that bored.

The show was actually at Paramount Studios, right on the NYC backlot. And it wasn't a show, it was GIGANTIC benefit for preventing AIDS. They had auctions, vodka tastings, a big entrance where the paparazzi were waiting, the NYC Gay Line dancing team and Debbie Gibson. Excuse me, Deborah.

How could we NOT stay for this?? She played ALL her hits, including....that one. And, you know, the other one. What am I, Casey Kasem?

It was a strange crowd. Some people dressed up fancy, some in very casual wear like us, and some people dressed like colorful sprites. Whatever they were dressed like, they didn't take kindly to our brand of East Coast tomfoolery while Deborah played. Amongst the photos of the GoM were also many of me mimicking various ways to kill myself in front of the stage.

Deborah has held up pretty well. Better than Tiffany, anyway. Though I'd have to say that half-shirts are not her friend...

ZOMBIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, yes, I know zombies are all the rage these days. But these gals were ahead of the game and were bringing their elegant zombiness to the San Diego ComicCon back in 2007.

I wish I could remember what they were pushing at the Con. Maybe a 50's Zombie Roller Derby team or something? If not, I JUST INVENTED THAT AND YOU CAN'T STEAL IT!!!

The Zombette (I just trademarked THAT too, so don't even try it) on the right is REALLY into it. I'm digging her enthusiasm. But the one on the left just sucks. That's so half-hearted why even bother? I might photoshop her out.

This is the second photo I've posted of the SDCC, and there will be many more to come. Because, hey, I have to fill this thing up with SOMETHING. But if you have never gone to this con and you are a comic/videogame/general nerdiness fan, you should try to make it. It's something to behold. From the stars to the people in costume to the sheer volume of things to see and do, it's pretty amazing.

BRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAINS!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm glad that my friends are so understanding....

....or afraid of me. Either way, they play along with me in pictures of such awesomality, and that makes me happy.

Seeing the puzzled look on someone's face when I tell them to strike the pose is priceless to me. Some play along, some can't even do it, some go for the old standby "horns of metal". But sometimes....oh, sometimes I get someone like Barry here, who not only embraced the GoM (grapefruits of metal, duh), but took it to an insane level.

We went to go see the classic thrash band "Deceased" and our friend and co-founder, Mark Adams at the Middle East Club in Cambridge, MA. Everyone was having a fun time playing "Picture Time" and when I busted out the GoM, Barry was willing and able...I think that fucker even showed me up!!