LaGrassa Open

[jmc2442]

so I talked to my boy Chris last night, which is how I met and know the doods from Symmetrical, and he says that the fellers have come up with a "blow your [censored] mind" Michael Jackson cover/remix/straight banger. I N T E R E S T I N G, very interesting.

BOOOO Work... HOORAY NEW YEARS!

[Jeff_LaG]

Well the current weather forecast is for rain/snow showers and high of 35 deg F. However, a lot could change over the next 9 days.

Unless the weather forecast does an absolute about-face we will almost certainly play from the white tees. It will be a fun casual round of golf with my fellow Yinzers. Hopefully the Clowns will lose to the Bungles this Sunday so that the Steelers clinch the division; then no one will be tempted to skip out on golf to watch the Steelers/Ravens game next Sunday.

[Jeff_LaG]

With Cleveland's loss, the Steelers clinched the AFC North this week. Additionally, due to flex scheduling the game has been moved from 1 PM to 4:15 PM next Sunday. So hopefully the weather will be decent and yinzers will come out and chuck some plastic with me.

[jmc2442]

there will be a showing Jeff, don't worry. Also, as a little holiday offering, I have a brand spankin new disc to offer as a CTP.

Maybe some skins too?!?!? Who knows, could be..

Let's get it!

[Jeff_LaG]

From: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt.../s_544552.html

There are no words for Lotus' instrumental tunes

By Regis Behe
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, December 27, 2007

There are two types of instrumental music:

• Syrupy, string-heavy versions of "Strangers in the Night" or "Satisfaction" that act as aural sedatives in doctor offices and hotel lobbies. For instance, any song by Kenny G.

• Inspired, nerve-tingling musicianship that causes involuntary movements -- i.e., dancing.

Lotus, a Philadelphia-based band that performs New Year's Eve at Mr. Small's Theatre in Millvale, firmly falls in the second category.

"There's definitely a fine line between it being something that's wallpaper and something that's a song that has something going on," says Jesse Miller, who plays bass for the group. "I think that's always the challenge, writing something that can draw people in. ... We've always focused on having melodies that catch and grooves that pull people in."

Formed in 1999 when the band members were undergrads at Goshen College in Indiana, Lotus is one of the more creative ensembles performing on the jam-band circuit. Drawing inspiration from jazz, funk, rock, house dub and world music, the songs often are elliptical and open-ended. The traditional verse-chorus-bridge structure is absent, meaning the band uses other means to hook listeners.

"If you're saying there has to be some kind of climax or some kernel that the songs kind of evolve around, I think those moments exist," Miller says. "We try to compose songs that are going to work well in a live setting, songs that have some kind of build-up, that have some kind of payoff."

Miller and his brother, Luke (who plays keyboards and guitar), write most of the songs for the band. One of the Millers will come up with an idea, work with it, then take it to his sibling for the finishing touches. And yes, sometimes there are brotherly disagreements.

"I might go pretty far on a song and have him look at it and maybe try a slightly different arrangement, or give suggestions on what's working and what's not working," Jesse Miller says. "And then we'll yell about that -- 'I think you're wrong,' whatever. It definitely can help to have another perspective."

On Lotus' live double CD, "Escaping Sargasso Sea," those varying perspectives provide many highlights. There are moments so inexorably commanding that attempts to use the music as background noise are futile. Take "Sunrain," one of the older songs from Lotus' back catalog. As the song percolates along, guitarist Mike Rempel's guitar mimics the sound of falling raindrops.

It seems to be a moment of divine inspiration, but Miller admits that it's more a matter of happenstance.

"We don't necessarily take visual cues and say we want to make it sound like this looks," he says. "But I think that's the beauty of instrumental music. It can suggest so many different things. People get their own visuals to accompany the songs, but it's not something we set out from the beginning to do."

Also on Monday's bill are Symmetrical KickBoxing, from Morgantown, W.Va., and Allison Park's Bohemian Bottom Orchestra.

[sandalbagger]

I wish they would sing.

[jmc2442]

the way I see it, I wish more peeps would be like them and just shutup.

[kUrTp]

So are we playing for money or what...I just bought a new car and need you guys to help pay for it...

[jmc2442]

WHAT DID YOU GET KURT?!? monies on a new V-dub. I bet gti rabbit.

I'm down for whatever's clever, but, I wanted to play card skins. .50 or a $1 a hole for everyone on your card.

[kUrTp]

Actually, I got a 04 subaru forester. But, don't worry i'm still a V-Dubber for life. I'm planning on getting a old skool bug sometime this summer.

[jmc2442]

funny you should mention that old skool bug... i know someone that has one. we'll talk sunday.

[kUrTp]

Yes we will - talk on Sunday

[jmc2442]

Sunday, Dec 30
Day
High: 37°F RealFeel®: 37°F
Mainly cloudy
Winds: E at 4mph
Wind Gusts: 7 mph
Max UV Index: Low (1)
Thunderstorm Probability: 0%
Amount of Precipitation: 0.00in
Amount of Rain: 0.00in
Amount of Snow: 0.0in
Hours of Precipitation: 0 Hrs
Hours of Rain: 0 Hrs
Hours of Daylight: 9.3 Hrs

cant really ask for better. Hopefully see you all there.

[sandalbagger]

you can have my corrado. I'm looking to get a V6 corrado or a Outback Impreza Sport.

[kUrTp]

Is your supercharger going bad? That's usually the problem with those two years. The VR6 years are pretty sweet rides. You should look in the South...around Tennessee. I was looking at an Outback Impreza Sport but I settled for more cargo space.

[Jeff_LaG]

Partly sunny skies with a high of 39 deg F, with winds light and variable forecast tomorrow. Should be a GREAT day of disc golf!

[gotcha]

Partly sunny skies with a high of 39 deg F, with winds light and variable forecast tomorrow. Should be a GREAT day of disc golf!

71 degrees where I was.....at home in front of my PC!

Who won?

[kUrTp]

Chris and Dave tied...Chris won the 2 hole tie breaker.

[Jeff_LaG]

71 degrees where I was.....at home in front of my PC!

Who won?

Chris Deitzel beat Dave in a playoff on hole#18 after both players hot smokin' scores of 2-under par 64 from the blue tees. Chris is now the two time LaGrassa Open champion!

A bunch of other 'pros' who shall rename nameless shot in the 70s and did not fare as well. All the pros put in $10 each and Chris & Dave split the money.

From the white tees, Alanna Houck took the women's title and won an Elite XS donated by yours truly. Josh C outlasted Dan Sauers to win the am title and was the proud recipient of a Z-Wildcat with a New Belgium Brewing stamp.

Showing up at Deer Lakes with a dozen folks waiting for me, including J. Gary who stopped by to say hi, made me feel like an honorary yinzer and I thank everyone who came out for a beautiful day of disc golf!

[kUrTp]

made me feel like an honorary yinzer

You are a Yinzer!!!

[Jeff_LaG]

You are a Yinzer!!!

I grew up in Chambersburg, a full 2 hours east of Da Burgh, but everyone in that area does say "Yinz" and I've been a lifelong Steelers, Penguins and Pirates fan (well not so much the Pirates over the last ten years because they have sucked moose balls ) so I guess a Yinzer I am...

[sandalbagger]

It was a beautiful day out there. Great round of golf for sure. Glad I could make it. We need to sanction this event!!

[sandalbagger]

[sandalbagger]

[Jeff_LaG]

Nice! I ended up deucing this one (hole#11, 410') which was about the only thing I did right that round.

[Jeff_LaG]

So my wife is attending her cousin's baby shower on July 10th up in Leechburg and I'll be making my first trip out to da Burgh since before my son was born, woo-hoo! We'll be staying in Harmarville, and frankly I am shocked we were able to get a hotel room, with the U.S. Women's Open at Oakmont that same weekend.

Anyhoo, if you're not heading out to the Brent Hambrick that weekend then I'd love for you to join me at Deer Lakes that day. I still haven't played the new concrete tee pads and am very excited to do so!!!

[Jeff_LaG]

Anybody not playing in the BHMO wanna play Deer Lakes on Saturday? I'll have a new disc for the top pro & amateur scores. Judging from the recent monthly results it looks like the course is playing pretty tough right now!

[SCOTT]

I will most likely be there. Don't think I will be winning anything though. 3 weeks in a row at deer lakes!

[mprestop]

what time?

[Jeff_LaG]

How does 10:30ish sound?