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Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Will - 20 Months



The best thing about Will right now is seeing his sense of humor develop. He'll do something then give that little sly look to make sure you're watching and give approval. He definitely knows when he's being cute. He also has that sweet quality of a baby still. For example, right before we go to bed, he says, "Nite Nite" He says it to me, and as we go towards the bedroom, blanket and milk in hand he says, "Nite Nite" to Henry until Henry says, "Good Night, Baby" or "Nite Nite" back to him. And he still lets me hold him for just a minute or two in the rocker while he sips his milk. Then, very un-babylike, he tries to get up and gestures towards the bed. Ready to make his own way into sleep. I'm really going to miss that minute or two soon, but I'm still holding on as long as I can.

Saturday, October 28, 2006

It's a Bloc Party

It's 2:00am; I just got in from a comedy concert. And on the way home I realized that Bloc Party has been my mainstay since this whole crazy adventure got started way back in early March. If I was feeling boisterous and racuous or quiet and introspective, the boys of Bloc Party have been there for me. Whether to cheer me me on or to buoy me up, Silent Alarm has not left my CD player in the car for a moment. From Athens to South FLA to New Orleans and back, those boys have been there. Henry and Will love them. Henry requests, "Can we listen to Bloc Party, Daddy, the first song? Can we listen to it again?" And I'm like, "Of course we can. Of course" Will jams out and hams out in the backseat as the music lifts us up once again.

So, in short, Hooray for Bloc Party. Whatever the political climate, we'll vote for you.

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Old Music Tuesday


I listened to another "upcoming artist" that sounded just like everybody else on 99x and was in the middle of being promised the new single from My Chemical Romance that, in the DJ's words, "Everybody seems to love". I love the sarcastic power pop corporate DJ's. How they know they've sold out, but still have to sit there and make believe they are above it all. And speaking of that, I wonder if Axel is secretly relieved to be back on afternoon drive time instead of doing the whole morning radio thing. Well, I didn't want to sit through some commercials just to hear the Romance boys, which I do kind of like, at least they are better than Panic At The Disco. Whew, talked about affected.
So, I switched to 96.1, and marveled at some original Brit-pop, Sultans of Swing by Dire Straits. Mark Knopfler's guitar is just amazing, so mellow and laid back, but complex. And you can just hear the swagger in his voice. Good times. Good times indeed.

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Guster - This is a breath of fresh air

Well it's new release Tuesday... I'm not sure if the new Guster album, Ganging Up on the Sun comes out or not today, but it is impressive. I downloaded it tonight, and I'm already in love. They have always been one of my favorite bands that would appear in a Zach Braff movie, but this album is great. It got a 77 on Metacritic, which is damn good BTW. Satellite is my first favorite. Let me know and I'll burn you a copy. And I haven't forgot about that copy of Muse I was supposed to burn, Tony. Sorry.

PS - It actually came out on June 20th - OK, so I'm three months out of date... Sorry, I have been a little busy lately.

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

R.E.M.

On last week's New Release Tuesday, which I didn't blog about, IRS released And I Feel Fine, REM's hits from 1982-1987. I was excited about this, and still am. Also, you can catch three hit songs from their performance at their induction into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame on Stereogum, which is an excellent music blog, BTW. I can't wait to get this disc and revel in the early glory of these Athens boys.

Sunday, September 17, 2006

No Really... I like Blogger Better

Like Bananarama always says, "It's been a cruel... cruel summer.

So, I went to the doctor last week, and I've been diagnosed with SINGLE MAN'S DISEASE. Yes, it's true. My blood pressure, resting pulse rate, and weight are all up. Too much fast food and packaged dinners.

Well, tonight I struck back. Baked pork chops, black eyed peas, and a rice dish; all from scratch. AND, the boys and I all ate together at the same time... at the table. Whoo! Hoo!

Anybody taking bets on how long this will last.

Peace Out, I'm off to clean the kitchen.

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Flip Floppery

Even with the recent MySpace outages due to the heat and power demands of the West Coast, I'm going to pretty much throw them all my traffic... What does that mean to the Payne Place Daily (The Sequel) readers??

Well, all 4 or 5 of you can click on my MySpace page

I don't like their blogging system that much, but I do like the way you can send out new post notifications, get feedback and comments easier, plus I really like the way you can (usually) find the music you are currently listening to and post that as well.

More to come... Thanks for your support

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Robot Chicken: Dicks With Time Machines

What would happen if an idiot went back in time?

Did I promise techno web-saavy goodness? Yes, I think I did. Actually I'm just figuring out how to use the bazillion tools out there to make your blog cool, but anyway, Enjoy.

Damn You Captain Crunch!!

If you love blasts from the past and current pop culture, you have to check out I-Mockery, and their blog I-Mockery Blabber.

Blue October, Hate Me Today... Man, does this song rock!! A little twisted, but then I've never beat a heroin/being crazy addiction.

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

The British Isles Rule

I'm not sure how, but my entire CD changer in the car is either British, Scottish, or Irish. And it's all I want to listen to: when I'm contemplative, when I want to get pumped up, when I want rap, when I want to rock out.

Franz Ferdinand (Henry loves Do You Wanna?), Mike Skinner, The Arctic Monkeys, Bloc Party (currently in heavy rotation) Lady Sovereign, Lily Allen, Oasis, Snow Patrol... I'm starting my own British Invasion.

Also check out my Flickr page. I am uploading tons of pictures every day, then organizing them into groups. It's one step in my PaynePlace web domination scheme. I at least want to rule the google search page for payneplace.

PS - 7/13 - I just learned that the Lost Prophets, who I thought were an ATL band, are British...

Ch' Ch' Ch' Ch' Changes... Time to make a change...

I'm going to be making lots of changes to my many diverse and loosely updated webpages over the next few days, weeks, months... I was talking to this really cool woman (cue Wolfmother's "Woman") on Monday night, who gave me some great feedback, and also I need to harness the power of my web-saavyness to do something really cool and comprehensive. Stay tuned...

Saturday, July 08, 2006

Catharsis

After the emotional roller coaster of the past few days, I feel really good and positive right now. I have had a great day with the Boyz; they are down for a nap right now. I get a new bed delivered tonight, well just the mattress and boxspring. The bed shopping will commence over the next few days. But at least I won't have to pull a Farrah Fawcett, and I don't have to sleep on the sofa bed ever again.

Monday, July 03, 2006

Should I?? Shouldn't I??

Check out this website I found. This seems like a little much, but I am really curious if I actually have Irish blood from the Payne side or not. Cause I think being Irish descent is way cooler than being English descent. I don't know why. I guess I just like being the underdog. It appears that Payne is an English name, but some websites show Irish origins also. I'm from Dublin, GA, if that has any bearing. I know that since at least my grandfather we've lived there. Maybe he just liked shamrocks, I dunno. Will these mysteries never end?? Am I cursed to love Guinness, Waking Ned Divine, and blue eyed/black haired girls in vain?? Tune in next week to find out.

They're Here

I was walking Magatha last night, and I went past my neighbor's house. The obligatory "How's it going??" exchange started, but he did throw in something interesting. He and his son's spotted not one, but two ARMADILLO'S in ATHENS. Yes, it's true, and they were alive to boot. The armadillo is an interesting creature, but most people, including me, don't know much about them. Check out this story from my least favorite news service to learn more. Lauren just asked me the other day if they were only in Texas because one of her girlfriends said she saw one by the road in rural South Carolina. I knew they were on the move, and know that some people here in GA call them "possum on the halfshell" but that's about it, but I didn't know how far up they were. They are very cool little critters.

Thursday, June 22, 2006

Time Keeps On Slippin'

It's that time of day, when you can say, "Head for the Pinot Noir." Mondavi, Robert Mondavi.

Well, it's official. The separation is upon us. After living together for almost three months after deciding to get a divorce, L has decided to go ahead and move out. Her house will be finished in about two more months, but she wants to go ahead and start dating. She is moving this weekend into a studio apt. until her house is finished.

All together now kids, say it with me, "Damn, that's fast!"


I keed, I keed... It's OK if we are in different places emotionally right now. That's the way most relationships end. I'm still more than a little hung up on her, and she is moving on. My way of coping is to talk to everyone about how I'm feeling. Her way is to keep moving forward. And I truly do want her to be happy. If we are both happy, successful people, Henry and Will will have the best chance to be happy, successful people. It's all about the kids, folks.

We are going to do 4 day on, 4 day off joint custody. So, at least I won't be emotionally cut off from my boys. Being a major influence in their lives is something I will not give up. I just signed our temporary custody agreement; L should be signing it tomrrow. And, honestly, a break every 4 days is going to be nice. I am planning on doing some of the things, I didn't allow myself to do while L and I were together: play golf, go out to see music more often, chase women, etc.

This certainly is not where I pictured myself after having two children and almost 10 years of marriage behind me, but I am optimistic about my future. Once I get through these immediate hard times, I am focusing on things being better. I have Henry and Will, my house, a great job; I just have to let my heart mend and get on with things.

Listening to: Death Cab for Cutie - Plans (the song "Someday You Will Be Loved" makes me very happy, currently)

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Airshow 2006 - The Cart Of Destiny

Heeee's Baaackk

This will be the continuing saga of me, Andy Payne. Swimming in the dating pool, figuring out joint custody, solving the problems that have plagued mankind for centuries.