I have to get up early, which I hate to do, and I have to get up early and play in a rock band, which I have never done. So I don’t know how I feel about it. Plus side: playing in a band in front of 700 people. Downside: It will be 9:15. In front of 700 people. Plus side: they’re kids. Downside: no downside. This will be fun.

We had a rehearsal in the gym tonight, and I used the keyboard player’s new Epiphone amp. Lovely clear sound, which I ruined with my distortion pedal. I think we’re loud enough to cause ringing in every child’s ear through lunch time, so, mission accomplished. The very presence of electric guitars in school destroys the ability to learn, mentally and physically. Which is as it should be.

Video on Monday.

(G)Nat’s in the show as well – the kids perform a little skit before the bands play. Actually, the kids pretend to play the songs we’re actually playing – it’s a “battle of the bands” between the Jonas Brothers and Hannah Montana. (G)Nat has two lines, one of which refers to the Brothers: “They’re so dreamy.” She hates the line. Says it’s so fakey like it’s on a TV show. But she still sells it, which is good. I can’t stand the Hannah Montana song, but by gum I give it all I have. After the practice the kids ran around the gym and the adults packed up; I told them if my wife said I wouldn’t be in because I’d choked on my own vomit, it would mean I had really taken this too seriously, and I had them to thank for their support.

“The drummer chokes on his vomit,” said the drummer. Noted.

Went home, slammed a few cups of coffee, did the Hewitt show. We had a semi dust-up over McCain. I do not share all his opinions on the man. I do not share all his opinions about Romney – although tonight I think I finally realized why I can’t get interested in Romney beyond a general appreciation of his skill and experience. When he talks, he doesn’t move the needle. He’s like one of those radio guys who has an absolutely consistent tone and inflection and pace; the parameters of his pitch don’t change.  This is coming down to a contest of personalities, as usual, and even if you don’t like McCain’s briny persona, he has more personality than Mitt, and it’s genuine. Genuinely spiky, or genuinely engaged, or genuinely egomaniacal, or genuinely whatever you wish, but it’s real. I understand the dislike of the fellow and the distrust of his positions, but some of the vitriol splashed his way is over the top, in that snagging-your-pants-on-the-crest-of-Everest sense. This is the only election I can recall where a large portion of the grass roots seems to insist that hatred of the putative nominee is the true test of ideological fealty – and a path to success down the road. I mean, imagine you’ve just joined a group, and the leader says “We have a plan to win. The first thing we need to do is lose.”

Anyway. I had an hour to kill, so I did a Diner, because it’s been two weeks. Then piano practice and spelling practice and the other things that remind you what your real job is. Wrote the buzz, then this. Done I am. I know it’s been a slow week or two here on the Bleat, but on the other hand, buzz.mn had picked up the slack. No? See you there – morning essay on bad burgers and school principals already up. Have a grand weekend! Here's the Diner.