the sea was red and the sky was grey, wondered how tomorrow could ever follow today

I have returned!! Yes, that is worthy of a double exlamation points. I won't mince words, the Southern United States pretty much blows. The local newspaper quoted a citizen saying the best thing to do would be to nuke Iran. It also listed the home addresses of every criminal in the police blotter. I found that highly bizarre. Anyway, I'm sorry I've been gone so long, therefore I will have to do an extra-long post to catch you all up.

Bullet points? I think yes.

• The Parliament-Funkadelic concert!

It was above and beyond what I had hoped for, and at the same time, just what I had expected. I saw them in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, which is the closest show they played to George Clinton's hometown of Kannapolis, NC. It definitely was an insane show. At any given moment, they had between 12 and 22 people onstage (and it was not a big venue!), wandering on and off, some serving no real musical purpose, but heightening the experience infinitely. They played for almost an hour before George Clinton even came onstage, yet the band was so incredible, I didn't even miss him. It was probably the most purely enjoyable concert I have ever attended. The audience was fantastic, obviously there for a good time, but respectful that everyone else was there for a good time as well. Some of the classic P-Funk members there (besides George, of course) were Garry Shider (a.k.a. "Diaperman"), Michael Hampton and Greg Thomas. A younger All-star that particularly intrigued me was the gorgeous Kendra Foster. She had a fantastic singing voice and is featured in the video I posted. The video, of the song "Bounce 2 This", I must point out, was definitely the most mellow part of the concert. You can see more photos (that I didn't take) from the show I was at here.
I can sum up the whole experience by saying, a P-Funk concert is the party you hope is going to happen everytime you're at home, getting ready for a party. Even if you have no real interest in the music, if you have a chance to see them, take it, you are guaranteed the time of your life.

• Also P-Funk concert-related, but so great that it gets it's own bullet point. The concert had incredible T-shirts, for a really great price and I got this work of art for $20.

Please note Nicola's also-fantastic dress in the background. And excuse the chipped blue nail polish. This picture was not posed.

• I have even more fantastic concert news. Seriously, I almost feel bad talking about this, because no one has the kind of concert luck I do. One of my current favourite bands (though obviously not even in the same league as Parliament-Funkadelic) is coming to town at the end of the month. I know I've mentioned them before, but I am so stoked to be seeing Black Mountain.
  Seriously, how do these things even happen to me? I suspect that in a previous life I was prone to Mother Teresa-style goodness. If you haven't heard Black Mountain, do yourself a favour and check out their MySpace, especially if you're into heavier stuff like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin.
  
• Yesterday, I made the most incredible Value Village find of my life. Or, more specifically, Nicola did. A beautiful, beautiful, groupie coat for only $9.99. I'm thinking it's not my past life that does me good, Nicola's just my good luck charm.I like to think about where it went under previous ownership: backstage at a Stones concert, on a Zeppelin jet, Mick's hotel room floor, perhaps...
  
• Also, most of you have probably noticed the new header, which I'm very excited about it.
  The picture is one I found on Nicola's computer, and I chose it for the 60's-ness, the black and white, the London-ness, the fringe and the all-around awesomeness of the people in it. If any of you have seen Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids (and if you haven't, get on it!), you might recognize the writing from Bill Cosby's opening mini-monologue. Let me know your thoughts!
  
  Anyway, I've been so excited to get home and start blogging again. Thanks so much for your patience. More soon!
  And that's a promise.