ROADKILL

Friday, October 14, 2005

PREPARE YOURSELVES…

For the longest post since the time I told you all the story of my almost dying…

Wednesday, October 05, 2005

Holy crap!

I haven’t written in months.  Sorry bout that.

Craziest night

More details to follow… I just don’t know how to tell the story yet.  in fact, I already have a song from tonight

Friday, May 27, 2005

P.S. I am still Jewish ;)

the spiritual side of me?

here’s something i never thought i’d see:

Unity Center Cambridge
_________

Join us for services
this Sunday at 11:00am

New monthlong series starting--
The Four Spiritual Habits of Highly Effective People*

Learn the essential practices that will take your spiritual growth
to a whole new level--and change your life!

plus guest music with Russell Wolff and friends

10:30 meditation
11:00 celebration
Morse School Theater
40 Granite Street, Cambridge

Details:  http://www.unitycambridge.org
Questions?  Call 617.349.3440

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Blessings,
the Unity Center Cambridge community

Tuesday, May 24, 2005

pain

as i settle in for another fun filled night of excruciating pain and insomnia, i find myself wondering about the meaning of it all.  i need something to take my mind off my reality, so i am writing.  we are well into week seven of this pain.  i saw a doctor in a pain management clinic today.  so, more pills… pills for pain, pills for sleep.  this place looks like a pharmacy.  i feel like i am looking over at the last night stand elvis saw.  but, my choices are not so simple.  i have to give this more time.  the herniation is between C4-C5 and C5-C6.  the pain is unlikely to quit soon.  physical therapy, pain meds, time, patience.

meaning.

there it is again…

meaning

what is the meaning of all of this?

as many of you know, this is not the first time in my life i have endured prolonged pain.  i do not complain about it.  but the question is always there.  why?  what purpose does this serve me or anyone else who goes through this?  i thought i found an answer last week in NYC.  i was talking to my father.  he had gone through a very similar problem in his neck when he was 28.  we spent a couple of days talking about his experience, his treatment options, his pain, etc.  is this the meaning of my pain?  to share my experience with someone else later?  so, that if i become a father someday, i will know what to say to my son or daughter when they have to go through something like this.  if they need surgery for any reason, i can tell them what i went through 3 years ago i suppose.  is there comfort in experience?  is there hope in the retelling?  is there relief waiting after the ordeal?

does anyone read this?

Sunday, May 22, 2005

pain management

vicodin

Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Herniated discs, insomnia, narcotics

And other stories to tell your family at dinner.  So, that’s the latest diagnosis after the second MRI.  I have 2 large herniated discs in my neck.  Outside of the obvious pain, exhaustion, and insomnia… if anyone has some experience or advice on this type of injury, please feel free to get in touch with me.  thanks!

-r

Thursday, May 12, 2005

Awakenings

I was sitting here just now, at 5:45AM, feeling so driven to write to you.  You, the anonymous you who may read this.  I write so rarely, I feel as if I am in a coma, then re-emerge to tell you something.  I was so inspired by the story of that firefighter in Buffalo, NY recently.  He spent 10 years in a coma following a horrible fire fighting injury only to emerge one day and speak to his family.  He was lucid for many hours. 

This has been a strange year so far, and a painful one.  I injured my shoulder/back/neck (still not sure) about 5 weeks ago.  Since then, I have been in a constant state of managing excruciating pain, trying to meet my daily responsibilities, and fighting like hell to sleep at night.  I have been losing the war on all three fronts.  This is so frustrating.  I am sick of talking to those who are close to me about my pain.

Anyway, I know I have survived worse, although in all my hospitilization my pain was either far less, or it was managed far better.  So, here I lay after yet another 2-3 hour of sleep night.  I was trying to get a prescription for Lunesta.  Any doctors out there?  Got any samples?  My insurance doesn’t cover it yet.

The music itself is doing well, although I am too injured to pick up my guitar.  Liz’s record sounds great and is almost finished.  KARMA CO. is getting airplay all over the US and Canada.  It looks like some tracks from the disc will be used in a new MTV series.  (not telling which one til it’s final)

Any other insomniacs out there?  I would love to hear from you.

Thanks!
russell

Thursday, March 03, 2005

BORDELI™ Part II

Well folks… what can I say?  Somewhere between this morning’s shower and the walk to my bus, the entire BORDELI™ song was written.  I am not sure where it can be performed.  As these types of songs start to pile up, it becomes clear that a lo-fi B-sides type record will have to be made soon.  If you have any requests for that, let me know.  I already know 3 other tunes that would go on it.  7 would be the magic number.

-r

Monday, February 28, 2005

The Ballad of the “BORDELI”

Ok, let me first say that Montreal is a really cold place to hang out in February.  It seems like a dumb place to throw a festival then.  And it is.  That said, I had a kick ass time.  I was up there for a music business conference.  We played two showcases.  Both went very well.  Colin and Liz joined me for the first.  Rachael Davis was there for the second one.  Good times.  Got to hang for a while with Ben Wisch.  It was the first time we hung out since the album.

Firsts:
Montreal strip clubs - snooooooooooze
Eating snail - yummy, but never again
Finding a deli open at 3:00AM that serves chicken sandwiches, has prostitutes hanging out waiting for dates, pimps getting high in the back room, a guy behind the counter who is in on the whole deal, AND internet access for the customers…

PRICELESS!!!!

The Grammys

So, I got a strong dose of valium in me and got my ass on a plane to LA for the Grammys.  It was a wonderful trip.  I stayed in the South Bay area which is now my favorite part of LA.  It was the first time I had been there.  I got to see my brother, and the guys from Big & Rich.  I hung out with Jon (my oldest friend) for a few days, saw other friends, and made a few new ones.

The show itself?

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

But, I went for the break.  I had the best seafood EVER.  If you have a chance, eat at “Rock n Fish” in Manhattan Beach.  WOW.  Get the swordfish… or anything actually.  It is all amazing!

February last licks

Well, I promised to reveal something on here, and someone brought it to my attention.  So, a couple of weeks ago, I auditioned for INXS.  they are doing a reality show where people audition for the band.  It should be a big deal.  I didn’t do it for the band.  there is no way I would be the right guy for it.  It was more for the experience and the potential exposure.  And as it turned out, I had a great time doing it!

Monday, January 10, 2005

Weekend of bliss

What a great weekend.  I got to spend all my time doing what I love.  I should have gotten some sleep as well, but maybe next week will work for sleeping. 

I was in the studio all weekend producing Liz Carlisle’s new album.  Sunday we had Dave Mattacks in on drums and Pete Greenup on bass.  Fun times, and we got a ton done. 

Combine that with 2 amazing shows (Saturday night opening for Christine Kane and Sunday with the full band in Cambridge) and you have a weekend of bliss for me.  Got to spend all my time doing what I love.

Should I have spent some time studying for my finals this week?

STAY TUNED!

Thursday, January 06, 2005

Happy New Year

ok, so the entry ain’t that great, but i thought this clip from AIM was funny:

she: where did you grow up

he: i haven’t yet
sometimes i confuse depression with adulthood
but really, it’s just sadness
im still a child

party on!