So, there’s this video making the rounds on the internets that features a guy narrating while filming a rainbow.  The video itself is pretty boring; it’s the guys narration that has made the video famous. 

The video has made the CollegeHumor.com list of Top 10 Viral Videos of 2010 So Far and inspired tons of parodies and songs.

I was only barely aware of the meme when I took a trip to Teton Valley with some friends.  While we were there, we went to go see a house that my friend Carl built and later sold.  The house is on Rainbow Loop in Driggs, Id just off of Rainbow Drive. 

As we were leaving the neighborhood, I noticed the street sign for Rainbow Drive where it meets the main highway and the sign read “Double Rainbow Dr”. 

Now I’m wondering if this is some kind of joke or if the name of the street has actually been changed to “Double Rainbow”.  Also, if the street name has been changed, was it changed in response to the video or is this just a coincidence? 

Both Google Maps and Bing Maps still show the street as Rainbow drive, but I know that both take a while to reflect changes and additions.  I can’t imagine somebody taking the time and effort to make such a regular looking sign just as a joke only to put it in one of the remotest places in the country.  On the other hand, why would they change the name of the street?  It’s not like they’re running out of street names out there.  I suppose that I can keep checking the maps to see if they ever get the change. 

In any case, it would be great if somebody could get a video of a double rainbow in Teton Valley right on Double Rainbow Dr.

I had the pleasure of seeing The Decemberists at Radio City last night and I was blown away.

I should start by saying that on more than one occasion someone has mentioned The Decemberists to me.  Actually not just someone, but people I know and respect.  I can’t remember exactly who it was, but I know I’ve had this low level awareness that a band called The Decemberists was out there and that I wanted to see them or at least download some songs and give them a listen. So when my friend Brian asked me if I wanted to go, I jumped at the chance.

Now, again I feel the need to be fair.  I haven’t seen Brian in about 15 years.  Brian and I were very close in college.  We’d been to each other’s houses and the other’s parents.  At one point I drove 4 hours to D.C. just to have dinner with him.  We lived together for a while after graduation.  Brian married another one of my close friends.  It’s hard to believe, but somehow we lost touch and time passed.  It happens.  Luckily, Facebook got us back in touch.  So, after 15 years, Brian could have asked me if I wanted to go watch paint dry or grass grow and I would have said yes.  The fact that I would get to see this band of which I was vaguely aware was just a bonus.

More...

Answer honestly and try not to appear cool -- it doesn't work amongst friends. After answering, tag those whose musical taste you wish to know more about.

1. What are you listening to right now?
   As I’m writing this, I am listening to “What Would You Have Me Say” by Blue Sandcastle .
   However, if you want to know what I’m listening to right now, you can look at my playlist.
2. As a teenager, what was a band you were ashamed to admit to liking?
   As a very young teen, it was Men at Work.  Later, all of my friends and I were into “Alternative” music, but I still really liked Dire Straits too.
3. And today?
   Wow, there’s so much to be embarrassed by.  One that comes to mind is Avril Lavigne.  I got exposed when Carl’s daughters were teenagers and it just stuck.

Have you met an artist you admired? How did it go? I once literally bumped into Bono.  He was making a cell phone call on the street and wasn’t paying any attention.  When he hung up, he turned around and walked right into me.  He said, “Sorry mate.”  I didn’t say anything.  This was the day that U2 recorded “All Because of You” video in New York.  It was the day before Thanksgiving and later that night Deb and I were on our way to see the balloon blow up party at AMNH and it happened on 90th & CPW.   Since I didn’t say anything this hardly counts as having met him, but the story is definitely worth telling.  I didn’t say anything to Deb about it until a block later and she still bugs me about it. Also, just after I graduated from college, I worked as an audio technician for a company that did work for NPR.  I met several artists that I admire including Neil Young, B.B. King, Charles Brown and Bubba Hernandez.  Unfortunately, I didn’t have more than a few words with any of them. Finally, I’ve been friends with Courtney Taylor of the Dandy Warhols for a long time and can honestly say he is one of the nicest people I know.

1. Have you had dreams about bands or artists?
   I’m sure I have, but I can’t think of any.
2. What was your first gig attended?
   It was either the Ramones at Spit or 10,000 Maniacs at Malibu, but my first big-arena concert was The Alarm opening for Pat Benatar at Nassau Coliseum.
3. Which living artist have you not seen, but desperately want to?
   I can’t think of any, but I’ll let you know.
4. Which artist or what band would you like to resurrect and see live?
   Haven’t they all regrouped already?
5. Which song/riff/solo would you like to learn to play and sing just right?
   I don’t play or sing, so being able to play or sing anything even poorly would rock my world.
6. How many records do you own, or how many songs do you have in your iTunes?
   There are 5796 songs in my iTunes right now, but about a thousand of them are not in rotation.