January shows w/ Aimee Mann, headlining NY + guitar auction

[Liesbeth]

http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2011/11/john-roderick-announces-shows-auctions-guitar.html

John at Mercury Lounge: 28 January

John Roderick and Aimee Mann:
23 - Annapolis, Md. @ Rams Head On Stage
25 - Alexandria, Va. @ Birchmere
26 - Philadelphia, Pa. @ World Cafe Live Downstairs

[orochics]

The auction can be found here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/200682008545

[DrEvermor]

GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHDamnit.

After many TLW/Roderick-less nights in the Philly area, the date just HAD to coincide with the exact day I leave for India!
I'm seriously considering bidding on that sweet guitar and using it in conjunction with my Spider-man costume.

Oh well. Hope everyone enjoys the shows!

[grant]

What's in India?

[DrEvermor]

You know, we actually considered moving the trip back for the show ;-). The lady and I got an amazing deal on airfare and figured it'd be an adventure to be had. We'll just have to settle for watching the Showbox dvd on the airplane.

[Liesbeth]

Hmm, India. Sorry to be a bit gastrocentric, but they have such great food there.

[grant]

I once spent 48 hours in India. It was supposed to be 2 weeks, but a travel agent lied about the visa process in Sri Lanka.

It was a whirlwind. Memorable.

[DrEvermor]

Woah, I would have been well beyond miffed. I want to know more, and also I want vengeance for you.

Liesbeth- You don't know who you're talking to. 90% of what the lady and I do is based on good food :). Have you been/what parts/any places I should eat?

Wow, my apologies for anyone that thought this was a thread about the January shows.

[Liesbeth]

My knowledge, and enthusiasm, is entirely based on Indian restaurants here in the Netherlands and in Britain. Great vegetarian food all round, I like dishes from all regions.

[grant]

My companions and I were assured by a travel agent in Jakarta that in Sri Lanka, it only takes two days to get a visa to India - really, that's the whole story. Spent two weeks in Sri Lanka, much of it waiting in line with a Welsh fellow whose brother bought a large quantity of hash from the wrong dealer and was picked up as he tried to leave town. (Which was a cautionary tale for all of us.) Saw fruit bats the size of buzzards, rode on the outside of a train, witnessed a man walking on fire as part of a Buddhist festival in Arthur C. Clarke's hometown.

Overall, not bad - entirely unplanned.

India is full of Indian food. Don't carry roti in your backpack unless you're sure your hotel is rat-free (beyond a doubt). And buy some betel nut from a pan wallah after a meal (go to one you see lots of locals use). Pan masala is the only variety I know to order and is good to chew/suck on/whatever. Enjoy your red spit.

(You never see that in Bollywood movies because spitting is indelicate.)

[DrEvermor]

That sounds like quite the adventure nonetheless, grant. Also kind of makes me want to pick up my copy of 'Fear and Loathing'. Sorry to hear about the visa insanity.

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated. We'll be trekking through South India, going making our way from Mumbai to Chennai, hopefully stopping in Hampi, Kerela, Munnar, Kovalam and maybe Pondicherry.

Liesbeth, I'll be sure to give you a full report on whether or not the food is as good as I hear it is.