I took a trip to Denver to see the Psychedelic Experience at the Denver Art Museum.  It did not disappoint.  In fact, it exceeded expectations.

What was billed as a "poster show" of the late 60′s San Francisco music scene was actually much more.  It was a trip back into time both musically, culturally and artistically.

When immersed into the time period and the rock and roll posters created during the time, it is apparent that as much art was being created on the page, as was the airwaves and inside concert pavilions. 

Of all the artists, Wes Wilson was my favorite.  It was also interesting learning how Bill Graham got his start as a promoter.  One of best lineups of all time was evidenced by the following poster, a concert that I would have loved to have seen.  Bottom line, it’s a fabulous exhibit and well worth the trip. 

I used to think that I knew all the good drummer jokes, but lately there have been a few new ones.  (To me, at least).  In an effort to not only attack lawyers and accountants on my blog, I’ll turn the pen toward myself with my top 10 favorite drummer jokes.  Please feel free to comment and leave your favorites.

1. What is the difference between a pizza and a drummer?  A pizza can feed a family of four

2. What do you call someone who likes to hang out with musicians?  A drummer

3. What do you call a drummer that breaks up with his girlfriend?  Homeless

4. What is the difference between a dead snake and a dead drummer in the middle of the road?  There are skid marks leading up to the snake

5. What has three legs and an a-hole on top?  A drum stool

6. What’s the best way to confuse a drummer? Put sheet music in front of him

7. What do you do to get a drummer off your doorstep?  Pay him for the pizza

8. Why do guitarists place drumsticks on their dashboards?  So they can park in the handicap spots

9. What’s the biggest lie told to drummers?  I’ll help you with your gear

10. Why are band breaks only 20 minutes?  So you don’t have to retrain the drummer

Bonus politically incorrect swipe joke: 

What do Ginger Baker and black coffee have in common?  They both suck without Cream

I really don’t like to travel.  This is unfortunate due to the requirements of my profession, but as I like to say "if the job was perfect, they wouldn’t have to pay me." 

Being a frequent flyer in the friendly skies of United usually means an elevated blood pressure, missed meeting and the "unique" offering of customer service that only United has perfected.

However, all of my travel ills were reversed during my travels to San Francisco this week. For one single trip, the travel gods smiled on me.

1. Flight  235 DEN to SFO on the 23rd was 30 minutes early.  Gate was available.  Gate was the closest to the airport exit.

2. Ran into my partner Seth whom I hadn’t seen all week which was nice.

3. Went to Hertz and instead of the usual high-mileage piece of junk, I got this:

Now, how cool is that?  Crusin’ around the Bay with my mullet and my Mustang.

4. Then I get to the Hotel Vitale, my favorite hotel in San Francisco and I’m informed that I’m the last person checking in and they are 100% booked.  No problem, they say, they’ve upgraded me to the Penthouse Suite.  I had a balcony that sat "no more than 35 by order of he fire marshall" complete with heatlamps and great views.

5. Flight  482 SFO to DEN on the 24th was 35 minutes early.  Gate was available. 

Thank you travel gods.  For once it all worked out perfectly.  I expect my punishment will be quick and painful.

Per my post yesterday, I am officially retired as an adjunct at the University of Colorado. 

That of course didn’t stop my students from sending me off in "style."

I was awarded two very special gifts.  First, I received the "Most Kick Ass Professor" award of 2009, complete with my own Karate action figure.  And second, I received a nice Zildjian ride cymbal (how did they know that I don’t like Paiste?) signed by everyone in the class:

It was one of more thoughtful gestures that I’ve ever received.  In fact, there was a moment when the lump in my throat threatened to completely derail my last lecture. 

Thanks folks, I’ll remember you always and not because I am now looking for a 1985 Chevy Caprice Station Wagon to mount my trophy to the hood.  I look forward to the quick transition from teacher / student to friends / colleagues.

Mark your calendar on April 25th, for Puttin’ on the Leash to benefit the Humane Society of Boulder Valley.

Todd Vernon, CEO of our company Lijit, wrote a great post on the event as he is on the board. 

I love the Boulder Humane society and think they go great work.

Times are a bit tough and Brad is looking to make a little extra cash on the side. 

To that end, he is going to be behind the corner at our local Spud Bros serving up the best in fried delicacies.

Here is your chance to taste the culinary talents of Mr. Feld and / or just have a chance to boss him around a bit.

Seriously, though, it’s a charity event where the wonderful folks at Spud Bros are donating 50% of the proceeds to the Community Foundation. 

It’s from Noon until 2pm on Tuesday April 14th.  All the details are here. 

One, bet Ryan McIntyre on cards.  I’ve played cards with him twice now, each time he has to ask for instructions and each time the guy pulls good cards.  Ryan, you win.  I give up.  As you can see, Ryan was mature and didn’t gloat. 

Two, you can listen to CNBC for your financial guidance.  Jon Stewart absolutely destroys CNBC for their talking crap and pretending to know all about the economy.  Best line is "If only I had followed CNBC’s advice, I’d have a million dollars… provided I had started with a hundred million dollars."

I took the quiz and I am a Porsche 911.  That’s alright.  I can live with that.  I’d prefer being a Ferrari, but I think the fact that I work every day precludes me from being the venerable Italian brand. Here was my summary:

You have a classic style, but you’re up-to-date with the latest technology. You’re ambitious, competitive, and you love to win. Performance, precision, and prestige – you’re one of the elite,and you know it.

Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

I’m feeling a bit cheeky from attending CES while there are adult film stars walking around all over the place.  (For those of you who don’t know, CES is held in Vegas the same time the Adult Video Convention occurs at the same location.  Egads).  That being said…

I know that you can’t believe everything on the Internet, but several sources are reporting that the porn industry is asking for a $5 Billion dollar bailout from Congress. 

I’m sick of the word bailout.  I’ve got to hand it to these guys they’ve done a good job of self promotion.  I don’t think pumping cashing into a limp industry trying to get it through soft times is the way to go.  Let them make the old fashioned hard choices and reform their industry for the future, not use the current economic environment as a backdoor for greed. 

I can tell you that if I was in Cleveland, or any other hard working town, I’d be pretty steamed if my tax dollars were used this way.  If Congress even takes a meeting with these folks, we should punch them donkeys hard.  It would be very hard to swallow injecting any form of subsidy into this industry.  I find it hard to believe that a few quarters of economic turmoil will bring the adult film ecosystem to its knees. 

From my family to yours…

Starring Bob Mendelson, Jessica Mendelson, Paul Mendelson, Sydney the Dog and Sammie the Cat.  Conspicuously absent is yours truly.  Call it creative license.