I am happy to announce several live performances in October. These dates are to promote the release of the Circle Of Friends DVD. Each evening will consist of a Q & A session, a short solo acoustic set, and a full screening of the DVD. (SF will be an abbreviated viewing of the DVD.) I will also be selling and signing the DVD at each performance. Confirmed dates are as follows:

Tue Oct 09
CHICAGO IL Schuba's
Wed Oct 10
MINNEAPOLIS MN Bryant Lake Bowl
Fri Oct 12
SEATTLE WA Chop Suey
Sun Oct 14
PORTLAND OR Doug Fir Lounge
Tue Oct 16
SAN FRANCISCO CA Herbst Theater (as part of City Arts and Lectures Series)
Wed Oct 17
HOLLYWOOD CA The Roxy Theater (presented by Filter Mag)

More dates to be announced shortly.

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Thanks for all the kind notes and well wishes. The healing is slow, but it's nice to have some mobility. Going to the gym, and spending time with friends, makes a big difference.

Friday, studio work, followed by a quick trip to WOOF. After that, a bunch of us headed to the store, and back to the ranch for the first grill in 2 weeks. The little things you can't do are the things your really miss. Good food and great company.

Saturday, I was sore from all the standing and walking of the previous two days. My knee felt like it had been hyperextended from walking in the boot. I stayed off my feet, and on the computer for too long.

Sunday, more studio work. A little socializing, and fell asleep watching free On Demand HD movies.

Kidding. I am up and about. Silly as it sounds, I made it to SMDF last night, surrounded by my bodyguards. This is what it looks like when I am on my feet for too long.





No hard plans for the weekend. No more Oxycodone.

To me, this is truly hilarious. And this is even better: Dolly told Colonel Tom no on the co-publishing.

Pictures from the most recent BLOWOFF in this week's MW. Apparently, I managed to hide from the camera all night!

A nice mention of upcoming projects at The Tripwire.

This week's Ask Bob column at Washington City Paper. I wrote the piece on Tuesday evening, and in the interim, these stories have surfaced.

Tour de farce! Leader ousted didn't see that coming

Fox News doc cops 'roid plea anti-aging medicine sometimes equates to Growth Hormone, which is typically undetectable in steroid testing

Photoshop Of Horrors she looked worse when she didn't win

It seems like longer, but Body Of Song was released two years ago today. The good news: the new album is mastered, and the cover art is finished. The DVD is available for pre-order here.

The other good news: as of yesterday evening, I can (mostly) get around without crutches. Yesterday afternoon, I entered my gym on crutches. At the end of my normal chest / triceps workout, I walked out without using the crutches. It was the best I have felt since last Tuesday's bad break. Calling up the epinephrine and testosterone seems to be the ticket; the harder I worked, the faster the pain in my ankle disappeared. None of this would have been possible without the boot.

There have been a few side effects, though. From the middle of my shin down, my left leg is black. And, when I stop moving, the pain is greater than before. But, it's good to be back in action. I don't like sitting on the bench.

NP: Midnight Juggernauts - Road To Recovery (Miami Horror Remix). Read (and sample) courtesy Discodust.

The weather was amazing this past weekend. Friday, an afternoon trip to the 'hood for supplies and coffee. A quiet night at home, enjoying the first Ring Of Honor pay-per-view. Great athleticism, sensible storytelling, and a smart and vocal crowd; a rarity for pro wrestling in 2007.

Saturday morning, the gang convened for breakfast. It was good to see everyone, and to be out and about in the sunshine. That evening, I was invited to a home-smoked dinner; great food and company. I almost dragged along with the guys to Nellie's, but decided against it. Too many people, too many stairs. Maybe next week.

Sunday was tougher. The pain started setting in, and I now have a "black horseshoe" (it looks like I'm wearing a black ankle bracelet). The bruising is ugly. Cleaned up some of the final mixes for the new album, some chicken stew with the guys, more work, and finally to sleep.

Mastering of the new album begins this morning. I am curious to hear how the mixes translate outside my control room (or my truck).

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Does anyone out there have personal experience with the iWalk? I like my boot, but the crutches are a drag. Push away from the chocolate sorbet! It's not terribly fattening, but I need to wean myself off the hospital treats.

Also, if there's any personal trainers or sports rehab specialists in the crowd, tips on how to approach exercising the upper body are greatly appreciated. I need to get back into the gym this week.

The ankle update: it's still broken. I went to see my orthopedic specialist this afternoon, and the break is as good as a break can be. No estimate on heal time, but after being fitted with a high-tech walking boot, I feel better. I can lower the bad foot to the ground, albeit very lightly. It won't handle weight yet, but it's a big improvement over the past 48 hours. Mentally, it's a drag; the simplest things become complicated with this type of injury.

As I'm fairly immobile these days, I'm catching up on old hardcore punk footage. The Germs were one of my favorite bands; (GI) is a classic piece of work. I'm interested in seeing the recently-released movie about the band. These three clips show Darby and the band at their finest (or worst, depending on your taste).

Roger McGuinn comments on the "great memory" of The Byrds. I agree, and I agree.

Ten landmark albums that made indie rock, according to The Phoenix.

This week's "Ask Bob" column.

Regrettably, I have cancelled both solo shows scheduled for this weekend. There is no way anything good could come from trying to gut out this broken ankle. Before this episode, I have only cancelled one show due to illness (November 1990, West Coast band tour). I need to stay off my feet, especially at the beginning of this recovery period. Thanks to those who sent well wishes.

I'll start with the tough news first. This Tuesday afternoon, I broke my left ankle. Non-displaced fracture of the lateral malleolus. I spent 4 hours at Sibley ER, and was sent home in an air cast, with my first (and hopefully only) set of crutches.

I am scheduled to perform this weekend; Friday in Camden NJ, and Saturday in New Hope PA. I am uncertain as to the status of those performances at the moment. I was told by the doctors at the hospital that I will likely feel much worse tomorrow. On a scale of 1 - 10, the pain is a constant 2, and if I ding it on or with something, up to a 4 or 5. My concern with performing is that I typically have no idea what I'm doing, and fear I may do further damage, even when seated.

As of tonight, the shows are on. If anything changes, I will post it immediately. I wanted to alert everyone to the situation.

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Last Thursday, a fun show in Dearborn MI. The Henry Ford Museum is a fascinating place; I wish I had booked an extra day to take in more of the complex. A good meal after the show. Side note: be careful when walking the streets of Detroit. It is not the most pedestrian-friendly place. In the course of 1.5 miles on city sidewalks, I was almost hit three times.

Friday, a quick flight home. A fun time with the guys at WOOF, followed by grilling at the ranch.

Saturday, coffee with Tom and Jeff. A quiet afternoon of yard work, disco nap, then BLOWOFF! I was expecting a smaller crowd than usual, seeing as most folks head to the beach during July and August. I was totally wrong: it was PACKED. One of the three best events we've held this year. I'm hoping to see some grrreat pictures later this week.

Sunday, coffee and lunch with friends. More grilling with buds later that evening; some beautiful weather.

Monday, it seemed like everyone in the 'hood was at the Nats "Night Out" game. Later, the grand opening of Nellie's, our newest neighborhood sports bar.

Today, the accident. Tomorrow, the decision.

BLOWOFF this Saturday. Poster by Pat.

Last Friday, a quick stop at WOOF, followed by a meal at the ranch.

Saturday, a weekend trip to NYC. The show at McCarren Park Pool went quite well. The weather cooperated during my set; not too bright, a nice breeze every few songs. I lived a block from the pool in the early 1990s, and as I finished the second bridge of "Hoover Dam", I turned my head to the left, and could see my former bedroom windows on Richardson Street. Curiously, they have built more building on top of my old loft. Lots of buds in attendance. I left during Cat Power, and did not get to see Built To Spill. After the show, a fine meal at Relish, and called it an early night.

Sunday, brunch with the crew in Chelsea, followed by card shopping. Next, a trip to MoMA for the Richard Serra exhibit. Back to Williamsburg for an open house, and the conclusion of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel "Giglio" feast. A stroll down Bedford Avenue for books and coffee, a turn on North 6th for T-shirts, and a home cooked meal with friends before driving back to DC.

Pictures can be found here.

Thursday, I am performing (solo acoustic) at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn MI. This Saturday, BLOWOFF at the 9:30 Club.

Last Saturday, a bunch of us convened in Silver Spring with Dumbek and Dingerzone. Many bloggers in attendance, and the weather was perfect. Later in the evening, a great art opening at Warehouse Gallery. Highly recommended; congrats to Scott, Pat, and the other artists in the show.

Sunday, lunch with friends, followed by two desserts in 30 minutes. I am so falling off my Fitday routine. A new art show at plan B, then a quiet dinner on the deck with the guys.

Tuesday, a pre-Fourth grill at the ranch. A big slab of meat, roasted beets, salad, and ice creams. All the big men were quite satisfied by the end of the evening.

Wednesday, Independence Day. We headed to Cleveland Park for a pool party, co-hosted by Clickboo. What a great time! It was a steady stream of familiar faces; great to see everyone in the sunlight (and bathing suits). After the legal limit of fun had been reached (there were children in attendance!), we headed over to Takoma Park for a wonderful meal, hosted by Rich and Nick. There was a tornado threat, which ended up being 5 minutes of breezy rain. A quick drive home, and up to the roof to watch the fireworks on the Mall.

The latest installment of Ask Bob.

I'm off to NYC this weekend. Solo acoustic show on Saturday, one block from my old Williamsburg loft.

Plenty of pictures from the past week can be found here. Two other hot posse shots from Baltimore can be found here and here, courtesy Jeff.