I feel like this year was the best Thanksgiving ever, my parents are moved back, we are home owners now and of course we’ve got beautiful Bella. I’ve been wanting to thank Phia for a while now because she really has been amazing through the pregnancy and as a mother. She’s taken care of Bella better then I could have ever wished for and she still manages to take great care of me too. She’s an amazing wife, mother and my best friend to boot. So as a small thank you for all the things she does for me and Bella, I gave her a pair of diamond earrings. It’s something she’s always wanted and something I’ve always wanted to give her. They aren’t massive or anything but I feel like they are pretty and I know she just loves them!

As for life in general things are going great. Bella is wonderful. Sure she wakes up early and has bad nights here and there. In general though she’s a great baby and we’re lucky to have her. She is about 6 weeks old now and getting really strong. She can hold her head up pretty well and its starting to “coo”which I guess means just kind of talking. She’s really smiley in the mornings and is learning to laugh a little bit. Its really cute to see her go through all the phases of growth and learn new things. She started tracking with her eyes the other day and she really intensely focuses once she see’s something she likes. She has a play mat that she’s really digging lately so I snapped off a few pics of her enjoying it. Take a look below to check them out!

*Update: I’ve added the pics from Thanksgiving day see the set below!

She did it to Phia and I on separate occasions this morning. Pretty awesome. You’d think a baby would have weak little hands. Nope. It took everything I had to release her mighty grip from her hair, of course all the while she’s screaming. I guess Phia’s mom mentioned the other day (before she learned this new move) that Phia did this exact same move when she was a baby. So yeah she’s mini-Phia right down to the bad habits!

Here are some new photos, Bella is modeling a new outfit courtesy of Mic. Thanks Mic! It looks great!

Click on any photo to view it larger, click on the left or right side of the photo to scroll to the previous or next photo in the set. Enjoy. Bella is 3 weeks old tomorrow!

“Umm Bryan, well we didn’t want to say since you were so bummed about missing Chris Cornell, but um.. well you see Jerry Cantrell, you know, the umm guitarist from .. well from Alice in Chains? Yeah he kind of came out on stage mid song and played a little bit…”

“What the hell? Played a little? What did he play? what SONG?!”

“Well it’s an obscure song, it’s called Alive or something like that … and he only played the solo part, so no big deal!”

“You mothe…I’ll kill you! He played the Shredding solo from Alive the bands most well know single ever!! Nooooo!!!!”

CC + JC + PJ = FML

Thank you youtube for allowing me to participate.

On Oct 1st, I saw Pearl Jam in LA, I had great great seats, and the show was AMAZING. So why am I bitter? Well probably because as good as that show was, something happened on the next LA show to one up me! During the encore, Chris Cornell came out to provide his amazing vocals on … yes you guessed it Hunger Strike. A good old fashioned Temple of the Dog reunion. Son of a bi…..

Oh well as Phia points out I can’t be bitter I am lucky to have seen CC a couple of times and PJ many many many many times. Also thank goodness for mini cell phones and youtube. I can live vicariously through the lucky few that were there.

Ed’s voice was marvelous, the band was really well tuned and on point. The new songs sounded terrific, especially Ed’s stripped down version of Just Breathe. He was accompanied by a string quartet. It was beautiful. One of the highlights of the night was when Eddie mentioned that Stuart Copland (The Police) was in attendance and that they were going to try something they’d never done before… it ended up that they played “Driven to Tears”. It was awesome! I’ve never seen then cover anything like that. Usually it’s The Who or Niel Young. I have to say it sounded great. they would never of been able to do that back before Matt was drumming. Only he could do the Police Justice.

Eddie is charged as being the voice of the band and he was in great spirits. I have on occasion seen him far more closed off or perhaps more serious, however last night he was just happy… maybe a little silly too. He mentioned more than a few times that we were leaps and bounds a better crown than the previous night, and he kept thanking us for it. I think Pearl Jam really prides themselves on putting on a good show and so it’s probably tough for them to play to a lethargic crowd.

Because I am part of the Ten Club I am able to secure pretty good seats. The Ten Club is unique in the way they always offer the fans the best seats in the house. As a member you are able to purchase only a pair (prior to general public sales), you must pick them up in person with your ID and your seats are assigned by your seniority within the group. Its a really fair system that ensures the fans are well taken care of and that scalpers are left to fight over the nose bleeds. Plus you can be pretty certain that everyone around you is as big a fan as you are. Since I’ve been with Ten Club for a while I am able to get pretty good seats.

Unfortunately because of the proximity of the show to the due date, Phia felt it better that I she stay home. My mom joined me In her place . Mom didn’t complain, she was extremely stoked to be going, especially after she saw our seats! I was happy to have her join me, but I was really sorry Phia missed it, she would have loved it. I’ll make it up to her though after the baby is born. I’m sure they will come back around next year.

For anyone that cares, below is the set list, which was totally awesome. Below are some pics I snapped, they suck by my standards, but with the light and distance its about as good as it gets.

Main Set: Interstellar Overdrive/Corduroy, Severed Hand, Got Some, Do the Evolution, Dissident, Given to Fly, Johnny Guitar, Amongst the Waves, I Got Shit, Daughter, Jeremy, Unthought Known, Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town, Driven to Tears (The Police), The Fixer, Rearviewmirror

Encore 1: Just Breathe w/ String Quartet, The End w/ String Quartet, Lukin w/ String Quartet, Red Mosquito w/ Ben Harper, Jazz Odyssey Improv, Betterman/Save It For Later (English Beat)

Encore 2: Gonna See My Friend, I Believe in Miracles (The Ramones), Once, Alive, Yellow Ledbetter/Star Spangled Banner

Anyway I took the Truck out the other evening and snapped some cool pics as the sun began to set. Driving that truck is probably one of my favorite things to do, even at idle it’s sheer joy, but wide open, there’s almost nothing better. Let me know what you think of the pics, and if you want a ride, then come on by. In case you’re wondering what mods it has, here is a list of the items that have been added, upgraded so far.

2001 Ford SVT Lightning F-150
Dyno’d @ 500hp (410 Rear Wheel)
575 ft lbs Tq

- Bassani Cat Back Exhaust
- Twin 90mm Throttle Body
- Air Raid Cold Air intake
- Upgraded Pulleys 15lbs Boost
- Re-programmed Computer
- Lowered Front / Back
- Triple Guage Pod
- Color Matched Tonneau Cover

Below are the pics, click any image to view larger and scroll through the gallery.

I’m really looking forward to seeing them at Gibson Amphitheater, that’s a hell of a venue!

Here’s the single “The Fixer” that’s getting some radio play, check it out, you’ll probably enjoy it!

Click to hear The Fixer

I know I would have choked once the camera’s were rolling, nice work guys! If you want more information about “Crossroads” check them out on myspace and be sure you check them out at one of their up and coming live shows!

Here’s the clip if you missed it! Thanks for sharing Lili!: