[PKfanSteph]

Oops, almost forgot these....

[guitarfan01]

haha. Nice card.

And I think that it said that Kate was the one who sent the Terminator back, not her father.

[PKfanSteph]

Yikes. I've been neglecting this thing again. Wow, almost three months....

Lots has gone on. I've been having a ball figuring out my digital camera that I got at the end of October. Pretty cool stuff. Haven't had it at a concert yet, though!

Mom loved her birthday card. She kept it out for almost a month!

My friend Ruth Ann Hurd drove from West Des Moines to see me in early November. We went to Pizza Hut for lunch and stayed there for several hours just talking and catching up. I think they thought we were moving in, but it was still more private there than at my house! Well, that's where we finally ended up anyway. We watch bits of the Dispatch DVD, "Passerby" and "Past The Falls". She liked it (apart from Brad's hat hair) but wasn't real pleased that Brad, who's supposed to be a Christian, would swear in public. Nobody's perfect--I struggle with the same problem so I'm not a good one to criticize stuff like that. We watched a bit of the Phil Keaggy Live DVD as well, which I'm sure she liked better . She had fun playing with my digital camera! I had a great time. Ruth Ann is a very dear friend and it was good to spend time with her again.

Well, here's some pictures! There's one of my office--well, OK, it's the "office" section of my bedroom. That's my old Powerbook G3, most of my Beanie Babies (I only collect the dogs--with two exceptions), a picture of my dog Buffy that I etched in 7th grade, my filing cabnet (dig that photo on the left!), my dog on my bed, and you can even see the Mountain Dew on my desk! The others are some Ruth Ann took. I think my dogs like the Philly Live DVD! Look at Maggie beg for more! And Baby is disgusted that a chair is in the way of her view of the TV!

I'll try to post more tomorrow, especially more pictures!

[guitarfan01]

Hey Steph. I was thinking about you today and how I haven't been on the Keaggy List in forever, and how I still owe you $20.

I almost bought All Points Bulletin for myself just before Christmas, as I expected to recieve it as a gift (having made my desire for it quite clear, or at least I thought I had), especially since it would have been so much content for so little price. So here I am without Dispatch goodness (except for Silent Steeples, which I illegally downloaded -- don't tell anyone, I plan to buy it asap).

Would you mind PMing me your address again, so I can maybe finally get you that $20? Were this eBay, I would deserve massive negative feedback, for sure.

[Jay42]

Steph Rocks.

Phil Keaggy Rocks.

Ruth Ann Hurd apparently Rocks!

[PKfanSteph]

I like it when people owe me money and I didn't remember it !!!

I'm thinkin' Jay42 rocks.

Time for more catch-up...

We had an interesting Thanksgiving this year. My stepdad's stepmom had enough comps at the local casino that she was able to have steak dinners at a five-star resturaunt for 30 of us family members. That's a lot of slots ($650 worth)! I can't complain, it was delicious. We had a choice of whiskey steak or steak & shrimp. I chose the former. I'd never heard of mixing Jack Daniels and marinade before, but it gave it an interesting flavor. Of course, all the alcohol was cooked out (but you knew that, right?). Gramma also got us a free hotel room with her leftover comps because we were having our bathroom remodeled and couldn't stay at home.

Speaking of which...mom had been begging for a bathtub since we moved in. It had been taken out three years ago in favor of just a shower so Grams wouldn't have to climb in and out. But mom hates showers and we were getting sick of her whining. My cousin Heidi's husband Paul (on mom's side) worked his tail off during his holiday. He figured they had to come back here for the festivities anyway so Thanksgiving weekend was as good of a time as any to remodel our bathroom. Even with his dad helping and starting on Friday morning, they weren't done by Sunday eve. The guy that did it last time did a cheap-o job and Paul ended up replacing more than he'd expected.

We left them to their work Friday evening while we had our delicious steak dinner with my stepdad's family. Paul is a phil phan so he asked me to leave the DVD out in case they needed a break. When we got home Saturday around 1pm, they had the thing CRANKED in the DVD player and were listening to it as they worked. It had been on repeat from about 7pm to 4am the night before and they started it again at 8am when they returned from a nap. My folks decided to go stay at the hotel while I stayed at the house. Of course I kept the DVD on! Every so often, Tony would come out and just stand in front of the TV and stare with his mouth wide open. Then he'd yell "Hey son, you gotta come see this!". It was so funny! About 6pm Saturday night, the DVD had gotten so hot it wouldn't play anymore so I had to take it out and put some "unofficial" PK DVD in for them to listen to!

So I ended up giving Paul's dad my spare and I'll order one for Paul soon. Early one Sunday morning a few weeks later, Paul's dad calls me. He's all excited because he'd shown the DVD at a bachelor party the night before and everyone loved it! He wants to order a bunch of 'em! Too funny! Who takes a Phil Keaggy DVD to a bachelor party????

This place keeps feeling more like ours than Gramma's. But there's still one big thing hanging around that we can't see to get rid of--her car. It's an old white Ford that nobody wants, but nobody wants to see scrapped. We had one guy almost buy it in late November, but backed out. We aired up the tires and had the thing all ready to go (that's when I took the photo) but he didn't show. How rude! Now it's back in it's usual spot collecting rust. The city made us start putting a car tarp over it years ago but it still looks like an eyesore sitting in our back yard.

Yikes, I think it's time for bed again.... Where does the time go?

[guitarfan01]

That's awesome. I love the way you spread the Keaggy around, Steph.

[PKfanSteph]

Originally Posted by guitarfan01

That's awesome. I love the way you spread the Keaggy around, Steph.

Yeah, you'd think I worked for him or something.

Oh wait...I do!

I lost a lot of sleep getting PhilKeaggy.com ready to go this past week. Robin needed some help so I got called off the project I was working on to help get it done. We were still two days late, but there wasn't anything we could do about it. I'm glad it's all working now so I can get back to what I was working on. I'd like to have that done by the time Robin's baby comes and I have to take over her job. Little Brandon is due Feb 5th, but that's close enough that he could show up any day now. I'm hoping I can at least get in a conference call with the rest of Phil's management team before then.

I was hoping to go see former Dispatch member Brad Corrigan (Braddigan) in Denver on Feb 2nd. He's releasing a solo CD and invited me out to the release party concert at the Gothic. It doesn't look like things will work out, though. He sent me the CD in mid-December; good stuff. Maybe I'll post my review here before then.

I know it's a bit past the season, but how about some pics of our Christmas decorations. Mom was extremely proud of her work this year, especially since we're in a new house.

Why do I always wait until late to do this? I think it's time for bed again.

[guitarfan01]

his name is braddigan and I'm back again

My Dad finally bought me APB (I have to pay him back for it). I am happy, and will be happier when he finally decides to bring it by.

[PKfanSteph]

Originally Posted by guitarfan01

My Dad finally bought me APB (I have to pay him back for it). I am happy, and will be happier when he finally decides to bring it by.

Well, it's cool you're getting it. Great stuff, man! Let me know what ya think! I can't get enough!

Unfortunately, I'm gonna miss Brad's show . Not enough $$$....

But, I'm still thinking of heading to see Philly in Wheaton on Feb 26th. I can fly out there for $100, which is less than Greyhound to Denver! I've got a place to stay, and I'm REALLY hungry for Gino's Pizza! They also just announced the two Colorado dates have been rescheduled for March 19th and 20th, so I'm going to try and make those as well. The Colorado promoter likes to suck all of Phil's time, so I doubt we'll get to talk much at the CO shows, so maybe it's a good thing I got out to Wheaton to see him first. And my friend Melissa wants to buy me a plane ticket out to California for Spirit West in May. Not sure if I'll do it, but it's very tempting!

This past week was nuts. Philly let it out that there would be a "membership site" coming soon and people went nuts with ideas on what it might be and how they think they're gonna get screwed based on past experience. Yikes! I didn't know I'd need a body guard to go with a change of employers! It turned into a bunch of speculation and personal character assasination of me, Robin, Brian, Phil and even Bernadette! Good gravy, I expected some opposition to the idea, but not before there was any kind of feature announcement. I'm sure it'll come then too. You can't please everybody....

My stepdad got replaced from his job at the gas station. He hurt his leg outside of work and the doc gave him a two-week "excuse", but mis-wrote the note so the ending date was 12-27-05 instead of 1-27-05. And he didn't read the note before he handed it to his boss! He didn't find out until after she'd hired somebody else!!! So now he doesn't have a job . And mom's job still sucks.

Why do I always write these things so late??? Who knows...but I'll catch ya'll on the Ph'lip Side.

[PKfanSteph]

I think I'm gonna be sick.

Rhonda called me this morning. Friday night, an Aurora fireman confronted a truck driver who was parked on a residential street waiting for a co-worker. The engine was idling and the driver was watching TV from the driver's seat when Oscar Aberkalns, a 50 yr old fire leutenant jumped up on his running boards and told him to move rig. The driver put the truck in gear and it lurched onto the road and he left. A few minutes later, a couple in a car found the fireman's body lying in the middle of the road, having been run over by the semi. The driver turned himself in an hour and a half later after hearing on the news that a body had been found where he'd been parked.

The driver, Travis Blake, used to be my cousin--and Rhonda's step-brother. For ten years, my uncle Gene watched as his wife, Marcia, let Travis do whatever he wanted as a teenager and young adult. When Gene tried to discipline the kid, Marcia would get upset telling Gene to leave Travis alone. He was a spoiled little brat who did anything and always got away with it. If I didn't know better, I'd be tempted to think this was just more evidence he's a childish and irresponsible adult and hadn't changed a bit.

But, he stopped by here Thursday night (the day before the accident) to see how Gramma was doing--he didn't know she was gone. He stayed for an hour talking and catching up. He seemed to be growing up and getting his act together raising three kids (including his 16mo daughter) with his girlfriend in MI and he had a steady job driving trucks cross-country. He was apologetic for all the trouble he'd caused my uncle and wanted to make ammends. He was respectful and showed a genuine love for uncle Gene and the entire family--something he'd never done before. He asked about people and remembered dates and events we never expected him to! We were impressed, and pleased.

So now I'm confused. I don't know what to think. Was it an accident? Neglegence? Or intentional? No witnesses have come forward. Travis was arrested and charged with neglegent driving resulting in death, but was released provided he stayed in the area. (here is the most recent story). It's tragic that this had to happen, and I'm sorry for what Oscar's fellow firefighters, friends and family are going through. I really hope Travis has gotten his life together and I really hope this was just an accident.

But I'm still dazed and confused and really don't know what to think.

[guitarfan01]

Hmmm...

Sorry, Steph.

[Jay42]

Oh man Steph that is depressing, and shocking. I will be praying.

[PKfanSteph]

Wow...what a weekend!!!!!

I went to Wheaton Saturday to see Philly.

My friends Jim and Stephen and I had everything set in place for Jim to pick me up from the airport, but I got an email from Jim Thursday morning saying he was really sick and probably wouldn't be able to do it. So there was a mad dash at the end to get things rearranged. It all worked out, though, no biggie.

Friday night, Phil's road manager, Brian, reminded me there was a Dukes of Hazzard marathon on all weekend. I wasted three hours watching that and got about 3 hours of sleep before I had to get up to get ready to go. My flight was supposed to leave at 8:55am Saturday and we got to the airport around 8. Mom found out she could walk me to the gate. I tried to talk her out of it, but it didn't work. She hadn't been through an airport security checkpoint since 9/11 and got caught with a razor blade, scissors and pill cutter in her purse. So they searched that and, since my bag was with hers, they had to search it, too! Grrrr.... After taking mom's stuff, they finally let us go and I was very happy when I finally got off the ground!

My friend Stephen Moshier met me at Chicago-Midway and we drove to Wheaton. I called Brian and Phil when we were almost to Wheaton and even tho their plane had landed at O'Hare fifteen minutes before mine, they had gotten stuck in baggage claim for 45 minutes and had just gotten to the hotel. Ugh. Stephen and I went to Penera Bread for lunch before we met up with Brian at the venue. Phil was back at the hotel relaxing and we just hung out with Brian while he at lunch and then set up the sound and merch tables. Brian is fun to hang with, so that was cool.

Phil got there around 3:20 and did a quick sound check. He forgot to pack his volume pedal so Brian had to try to find another one. It was a guitar conference type event, so that wasn't too hard--another of the guest speakers had to go back to their hotel to get it. He played "Cajon Pass" almost all the way thru, which made me happy . And he played a new song called "There With You" that he'd written for his daughter Olivia for her 21rst birthday earlier in the month. We talked very briefly as he played, but the clinic was supposed to start at 3:45 so I just barely had time to run to the restroom and back to my seat before we started.

It was supposed to be a time for Phil to answer questions from the audience, but nobody wanted to ask any! So he talked for a while and played some stuff. A few people finally got courageous enough to ask something but mostly he played and talked. He tried "There With You" again and couldn't remember the words even though he'd done it perfectly in sound check. That and the fact that nobody was asking questions kinda frustrated him a bit. By the time the thing ended at 5, he looked a bit tired and out of sorts.

We talked briefly after the clinic--long enough to decide where we wanted to eat supper. Phil, Stephen, and I headed to the resturaunt followed by Stephen's son Zachary and his friend and guitar teacher, Ben. We all walked into the resturaunt and immediately, Phil was recognized. He graciously talked to a small group of fans while we looked for a table. I think we lost him for a bit . We didn't have much time to eat, but managed to make it anyway. On the way back to the venue, my friend Dawn called me saying she couldn't find me at the show and whoever was in charge wouldn't let her talk to Brian. I told her we'd be right there. When we got back, Brian was nowhere to be found (he was running around like a chicken with his head cut off as usual). But somebody managed to track him down and he brought Dawn back to see us, much to her great surprise! We were making a setlist when she came in. But, after only a few minutes, it was time to go.

Holy smokes!!! All the Cayenne pepper Phil put on his supper and all the good fellowship we had must've done something incredible! Phil was ON all night!!! He broke a nail about 20 minutes into the 2 1/2 hour set but you'd have never known it! He played "Image" for me . This is one of the best shows I've ever seen; there were some really spectacular moments! Even Brian thought it was an incredible show! The highlight for me (aside from "Image") was an incredible version of "Hold Me Jesus" (my suggestion) for the final song of the evening. Wow....

Here's the setlist:
Shemp
From The Beginning
Do Lord
You Whisper Something (for Dawn)
Lost In You
Legacy
We Are Siamese
The Image (for Steph)
Paka
There With You (new tune for Olivia's 21rst birthday)
My Auburn Lady
County Down
True Believers
Maker Of The Universe
Love Broke Thru
Salvation Army Band
-Encore-
As the Ruin Falls
Hold Me Jesus

We hung out for a bit after the show, but as usual, there were all kinds of people wanting Phil's attention, so Dawn and I had a chance to talk. It was over all too soon and before I knew it, Stephen, Zachary and I were headed back to their house. We talked until around midnight.

Sunday was fairly uneventful. Stephen took me to the airport and waited with me until it was time to board. We looked at some of my digital photos and I discovered I left my card reader at his house. He said he'd mail it to me. Whew. The flight was OK and after I got to the airport, my folks picked me up and went to the grocery store and KFC on the way home. After I got home, I crashed.

But what a weekend!

I'll post photos when I get my card reader . I've got tons!

[Jay42]

How great!

Haha, I am gonna have to try some cayenne pepper before playing next time!

I can't believe Olivia is 21 years old now....Awwww, Olivia, oh how I love ya, less than a year old....

Haha, I don't think I could survive the bliss if Phil put a song JUST FOR ME into his setlist (I would ask him to play TIME the same way he played it on that 2nd Chapter of Acts live album, just FYI).

Of course, Phil never plays anything the same way twice, does he???!