NYE 2008 Vermont

2008 is already here and moving fast...NYE saw Lori and I up at Stratton, VT with our friends Ron & Dawn. We produced an impressive New Years party on behalf of Amstel Light and even managed to get some long overdue snowboarding in!

After a few runs I was back carving up a storm and am already planning my next trip. If you have never tried snowboarding or like me, have let it go for too long, get out there and rip it up. it is too easy to learn and too much fun to not enjoy.


Oh yeah, and I dressed up Santa for my neice & nephew for christmas. some day they will read this and know its me, but for lets keep it a secret eh?

2007 (and beyond) REWIND...

It is getting very close to the end of the year although I am not quite ready to hit you with my "best of 2007"list yet, I thought it might be a good time to take a look back through some pictures that didn't make it to this blog. Mostly because, this blog didn't exist that far back. At least not in true "blog" form since I used to just send links to a shutterfly site for pictures and blab about my life via my email list...stop talking...

Ok, here are some pictures, and maybe some video, from the last few years of my traveling and touring with the Stones ('2005-'2006), etc as well as some random images and what not that I have come across.

Oh yeah, and I am finally going to start adding some mp3s you can download (*for a limited time for promotional purposes only) how about that for a disclaimer...?

Here's the first one...something for the ladies...I give you...

THE MAN IN BLACK!
Johnny Cash "Ring Of Fire MP3

And now for some video...

Some of you have seen this video, but most of you haven't. The quality is crap, but it still makes me laugh. I should have sent it in to one of those stupid video shows, I bet I'd be one of those tv writers on strike by now...


WHEN GOOD PETS GO BAD!!!!

And of course the actual blog...
Here are a few pictures from each location I travelled to. If I ever find the time, maybe I will upload a lot more from each stop, but there are just so many and Im so damn lazy... Ive also included a song that either goes with the picture, location, or just feels right...you dig? Good.

PARIS Daft Punk "Around The World"


Ahhh Paris...What can I say cept that is an awesome place and I am very lucky to have had enough time to see a lot of it. The food is amazing, the sights are unbelievable, the metro system is great, and the people hate us and smell bad...

The French LOVE it when Americans piss in their fountains...

BERLIN Ramones "Blitzkrieg Bop"
Berlin Germany is truly amazing. We camped out on the stadium grounds for a few days which was kind of creepy fun in a hogans heroes kind of way....

Berlin Stadium. Home of the Olympics, Hitler, and more!


We also managed to make it into town to party... a bit...

Me Likey Berlin!

(NOTE TO SELF: PUT MORE BERLIN PICS HERE)

NYC Frank Sinatra "New York, New York"
The city that never sleeps, The Big Apple, the center of it all...New York City has been my home for over 10 years now, but since I grew up right outside the city, I've always considered it my home town. I know true new yorkers say it only counts if you were born in the borroughs, but whatever...I love it.
It takes a lot to live here, and although it pays back big with the amount of things to do and see, you really have to adjust and learn to make it work for you.


I took this over the summer...riding over the williamsburgh bridge is great because its a proper bike lane, paved, and splits the reasonably sized crowd of hipsters in half. Its also cool knowing you are riding directly above the cars. oh and the east river waaay below...

But the Brooklyn Bridge on the other hand...that is the REAL deal. Kind of sucks for riding over since its a tiny 1 lane, wood planked, path that you "share" with the hordes of tourists, but you cant deny how awesome looking it is.


OREGON Neil Young "Down By The River"
Anyone who has read this blog knows that I love Oregon! My wife is from there and that means we get to go there at least once a year. Last year we spent over a week there camping, BBQing, and living life large. The best thing about OR is that it really has it all. Big City (Portland), Coast, Rivers, Sand Dunes, Redwoods, and more. You can disappear pretty easily, and still get back to the real world with ease.

This video is from when Lori and I took her parents Quads up the mountain for a nice "leisurely" ride...and yeh it hurt...thanks for asking...

DONUTS ANYONE?

Thats all for now...I will add more as I make time, and find material.

stay tuned....

Daves B Day

A Very Happy 40th Birthday goes out to my brother in law Dave Liles. I hate referring to him as my brother in law, as I think it sounds like he is less than family that way and I definitely consider him the real McCoy. Brothers Hug it Out yo...


Big props go to my sister for pulling the party together and to dave horowitz for the awesome artwork on the posters & cake.



Anyways, Dave's surprise party last weekend at Fontana's was a Hella' good time. We partied down 'til the wee hours of the night! After waay too many Sol's and waaaaaay too many more Patron shots I finally got it together to get my sorry ass up off the bar stool and made my "triumphant return" to the stage alongside the Birthday Boy. The best part was that the drum kit was incomplete so Dave put an aluminum step ladder on it to fill in the missing pieces. It sounded awesome and looked crazy as hell, and I loved it even though I was so blasted I could barely keep it together up there...


Matty Van Hanrahan & Diamond Dave Liles Rock it

So far I only have one picture from this "legendary" performance, but hopefully I will get more pictures, and play out again soon as I miss that more than anything else in my life....ahhhh memories....

(MORE PICS AS PROMISED!!!)


MH out...

Van Halen (3rd Times the Charm)

VAN HALEN
11.13.07 @ MSG, NYC

Yes I saw the Van Halen tour again for a third time. once, twice, three times a lady...
OK, so the they played the same set, but it was better, and there are some serious differences in the way Eddie plays and improvises, and what Roth says, and when and how we kicks and schticks...

This time around my dear friend Angie hooked my good friends Ron, JT, John & Lisa Izzo, and Lori and I with some truly wicked seats. Dead center of the floor, right in front of the loop of the extended stage, and even better, directly in front of Valerie "I used to be Eddie Van Halens Wife" Bertinelli. Beat that! Bertinelli, who is also the current spokeperson for Jenny Craig (seems to be working) was with her friend Rachel Ray, who is ironically the current spokesperson for Dunkin' Donuts & Triscuits. Way to support your fat friend Rach...We also spotted Val Kilmer in the crowd, who is rumored to be playing David Lee Roth in the also rumored film version of "The Dirt" the Motley Crue book. He is also fat. So is Fat Vince Neil from Motley. Buncha' Fat Fatty Fatso's. I thought they all did tons of blow? You think they'd be tiny or is that crack? anyways....

Also worth noting is that this show was in NYC at the Garden. Thats the real test, and they passed with flying colors. Its been weeks since the show now, and I swear that I am still reading reviews pour in (including a rare glowing review from Bob Lefsetz) as well as just in conversation on the street. That doesn't happen any more. If so, please tell me when and who, cus I want to see that band too...

For those of you have yet to witness this grand spectacle in person or via YouTube, You can still catch the tour when it comes your way. Note: they just added a ton of new dates for 2008 including a return to NYC!

For those of you still not sure or to cheap, or lame , or whatever, heres this from the MSG show:



Enjoy.

Mountain Biking, 3D Movies, and Corned Beef!

MOUNTAIN BIKING NYC
I recently bought a pretty sweet Mountain Bike from some dude on craigslist. I love it very much, and Id much rather be on it right now than sitting at my desk typing this blog. The bike is a Gary Fisher Hoo Koo Ee Koo, which apparently is worth a crap load more than I paid for it which for me makes it even better knowing that I got a great deal. Anyways, recently Ive been exploring NYC by nike, which is really the only way to truly discover the hidden gems of this great city. NYC is so diverse in terrain, style, and history. Its amazing how much goes unseen unless you take the time to search it out. One minute you are dodging cars in the heart of the city, the next you are alone on trail in the park, and yet a minute later you are dodging crackheads and prostitutes under a bridge in the Bronx (true story).

I will be uploading pictures from some of my trips through the 5 borroughs soon, but for now heres a few decent shots of the George Washington Bridge and the hidden "Little Red Lighthouse" that lives just below the NYC side. Most people probably have never heard about this historic landmark since you cant see it from the bridge or the roads leading up to it.


THREE DEEEEEE!
Lori loves Halloween more than any holiday of the year. She literally starts planning her costume a year in advance. This year was probably the first year in her life she didnt dress up. Thats a looooong story, that Im not going to tell you, but we did sort of salvage the holiday by going to see "Tim Burtons The Nightmare Before Christmas" in 3D. I havent seen a 3D movie since I was like 10 and saw "SpaceHunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone" (why do these 3d movies have suck long titles?). Anyways, Spacehunter was a peice of crap and probably had like 10 miuntes of actual 3D, but it did feature a younge (pre sixteen candles) Molly Ringwald, so I'll take it easy on bashing it too bad. I think I also saw "JAWS 3D & Friday the 13th Part 3D" around that time with those crappy cardboard Red & Blue Glasses and the headaches from the old 3D technology.
The good news here is that the new 3D experience is awesome. The Glasses are normal looking and feeling sunglasses with special lenses and the modern 3D technology is truly amazing. From the second they starting rolling some of the previews in 3D I was glued to the screen. The images really appeared to be either comin right out you or adding additional depth to the main shots on the screen. Ive heard that George Lucas is already starting to remake the Stars Wars series in 3D for re release. Unfortunetly, it looks like Hollywood will also blow this opportunity by using the technology to lead horrible films like the god awful Brendon Frasure (the mummy) preview they showed us. Sure its visually awesome, but Id be about as interested in seeing that guy in 3D as I would be in sitting through another year of algebra...


CORNED BEEF HASH & EGGS
How do I love thee, let me count the ways....I am obsessed with corned beef hash, and eggs. I order it at least once a week for brunch (usually sundays at a diner), but I finally decided to buy some in a can and make it myself. Ive made with scrambled eggs, but sunny side up with the yolks running all over it, plus some A1 Steaksauce (Dave Liles taught me that), ketchup, or green tobasco, is really the only way to roll. Last weekend I made some and rolled it up inside a tortilla like a white trash burrito. Dang that was tasty. Im consider getting a truckload of it and fillig my bathtub with it and just soaking it up....Get some for yourself. I promise you wil not be let down.

Van Halen (Round 2)

VAN HALEN
11.03.07 @ Izod Center E Rutherford, NJ

I was lucky enough to be given tickets to see Van Halen again over the weekend. The show was waaaaay better this time for a number of reasons. First off, the tckets were free (thank you Blatter!). Also, the seats were WAAAY better. 4th row, dead center, inside the circle of the stage loop. The band was definitely improved since the Philly show over a month ago, and aside from Eddie Van Halen experiencing some serious technical problems, they blew me away. Thats the closest Ive ever watched a full major concert from. Its another level of entertainment you simply cannot get from anything outside of the first 10 rows at a stadium or arena. David Lee Roth really emotes and accents every note and lyric, roundhouse kicks and all, and Eddie still really puts on a serious exhibition of guitar skill and showmanship.

I took a bunch of pictures with my camera phone. Heres two of the best pix.


Diamond Dave in full effect!


The Master at work

Im going once again this coming tuesday (3rd times the charm?) and will of course be posting by review shortly thereafter.

the kind of latest and possibly greatest...

--------------------------
BETTER BLOGGING?
--------------------------
Everytime I say im going to keep these posts coming on the regular, I wind up slacking. What can I say? Im not being paid to do this, and as much as I enjoy it, it still requires time and effort that I wind up wasting on everything else including my job...

Regardless of all that, here I am writing again in hopes of getting a few laughs and the random feedback that these posts tend to result in. I love that people write to me after they read these. I actually prefer the bad reviews than the good as those are the people who seem to actually read the whole thing and then tell me how I "ramble too much" or "suck" or "forgot to plug their vodka brand" or "should try a grammar check before publishing". I'll get right on that...

In the meantime, I have been reading and searching out a lot of new blogs (new to me that is) in search of ideas, new music, and possible insight as to what makes a "good blog". Is it content? writing style? occasional porn and free mp3s? me thinks the latter...so I will keep an eye out for all of these, the finer things in life, startiiinnnnnng NOW!

FREE NEW MUSIC! Do yourself a favor and check out aquarium drunkard and ick music. These guys have loads of new music as well as some really awesome rarities, cool live stuff, random covers, and much cooler website names than mine. beaten again by the hip...
Ive been downloading a truck load of great stuff thanks to them.

Once I determine a way to store some music on my server I'll start uploading some of gems from my own collection and things I find from time to time.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
VAN HALEN LIVE
@ Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA 10.03.07
-----------------------------------------------------------------------




When I heard that Van Halen was finally going to tour with David Lee Roth I was VERY skeptical. So much has happened with the band over the years that I felt it was simply too late and that it could never be great again.

I was wrong.

I decided not to wait until the November 13 show in NYC and scored some decent tix for Lori and I to see them in Philly. Im glad we did, and we will definitely be going again next month.

I am going again not only because they were great, but also because I was sober at the philly show, and I was also so nervous that they'd suck that I almost couldnt enjoy myself. I just stood there worrying and nodding and playing air guitar...

The set list was really awesome. They played all but one song off their first album, as well as 2-4 songs from the rest of the Roth albums. Lots of album cuts, lots of improv, and of course No Hagar songs! They truly seem to be having a blast.

My only gripe of course is that Wolfgang Van Halen (Eddies 16 yr old son) does not quite fill the void let by oringal bass player Michael Anthony. Wolfgang can definitely sing and play well, but he simply cannot hang with the big boys. I love that he is a part of the band, but I think it would have been cooler to have him on rhythm guitar or something instead and bring out the oringal lineup. whatever, like Roth said at the show "3 parts original, 1 part inevitable". I got more than my moneys worth. you should too.





I never got to see the mighty van halen in the 80s with Roth. I was too young and by the time I was sneaking out to see them live they had "replaced" Roth with Sammy Hagar. Im a huge Eddie fan, but it was simply a different band without Diamond Dave. I have probably listened to their albums a zillion times over and over, and thanks to youtube Ive seen a decent amount of old footage from their glory days, but nothing can compare to seeing them live in person. There is something to it, that just doesnt come through on a recording like some bands.

Big hugs to Angie for taking the time to come out and say hello!

I still prefer to remember them like this.....(thanks to Blatter for the sweet pics)

-------------------------
ZIP CAR!
-------------------------

I should also mention that I finally tried ZIPCAR rather than take the train or rental car to get to Philly.

Zipcar is a pretty great idea for city dwellers who cant own a car and dont want to deal with rental cars.
You dont pay for gas, you get a lot of free miles, and they have lots of cool cars all over the city that you can drive without setting foot in a rental office.

I got a BMW 328i and drove it like a champ.
Not a bad way to visit "the city of brotherly love".
--------------------------
THE WHIZ!
--------------------------

I also finally took Lori to Ishakabibble , the famous cheese steak joint on South St.

I ate whole cheesesteak and half of her chicken philly and never felt better...Lori didnt feel quite the same way.

Cheese Whiz truly is natures candy.

---------------------------
L.O.R.I.
---------------------------
I probably havent said enough how cool my wife Lori is.

Im sure she had no interest in poisoning her body with questionable ingredients like that. Im also pretty sure that more than half of the things I like to eat, watch, or do, she is way too hot for me and she somehow puts up with me just because she is good person, and loves me even though I talk about myself constantly, hog the bed, eat mostly with my hands, burp, fart, and sweat a LOT, complain about my stiff back and legs, and tend to forget her name....



Heres to you Loni !!!
----------------------------
MY CURRENT TOP 10
----------------------------

Van Halen Tour - see it!
Zip Car - drive it!
Ishakabibble - eat it!
Radiohead "In Rainbows" - buy it (and pick the price!)
Killswitch Engage "Holy Diver"- watch it!
My New Gary Fisher HKEK - dont FUCKING steal it!
Orange V Vodka - drink it!
Swindle Magazine - read it!
The Box - dig it!
Darjileen Lmited - see it!

-----------------------------------
*Thats it for now. Short & Sweet.

Like you Like.

CYA SOON!

-all photos and stories taken and written by matt hanrahan

I left my heart in SF (...then found it in Oregon)

Sculpture Art @ The Bay Bridge, SF

Those of you who have been reading my blogs over the years, are probably surprised to see how often I have been posting them as of late. You can chalk that up to the amount of cross country flights Ive been on recently or the fact that I actually like writing them. and yes, I love the sound of my own voice....lalalala

Ok, here we go....

---------------------------
THE POLICE @ Giant Stadium, NJ
---------------------------
I almost forgot this one...RIght before I split for the west coast my buddies on The Police Reunion tour hooked Lori and I up with passes for their amazing show at Giants Stadium. I was originally supposed to be working on this tour, and was actually very happy to be able to check it out without having to work...The Police were really tight and put on a solid show with all the hits, some cool jams, a huge stage, and a decent light show. It was great to run into so many old freinds from the Stones tour like Tim McWilliams, Burger, Nick Jones, Pete the Cop, Corey Mac, not to mention Mike McCann and his wife and Jay Cams who were also on hand.



(THE POLICE LIVE @ GIANTS STADIUM, NJ)


This guy was in the row in front of us. He was awesome as you can clearly see...

------------------------
ROCK THE BELLS SF 08.18.07
------------------------


Once again I went out in the field on behalf of Heineken, managing their sponsorship of the rock bells festivals and tour. Most recently we hit the great city of San Franciso, CA for the 4th and final festival date with Rage Against the Machine, Wu Tang, Public Enemy, Cypress HIll and a zillion others. This time around the venue was built from scratch in the McCovey Cove which is normally used for parking for the AT&T Ballpark where Barry Bonds hits homeruns and takes steroids all the time. Ive actually been lucky enough to work at the stadium a few times with the Rolling Stones and Metallica, so I know the surrounding areas pretty well.


Scott Ian, Me, and Sen Dog

The weather was truly amazing for late August with a steady breeze coming off the bay. It actually got kind of cold at night, but when you are working 20 hour days its a nice break from 95 degrees in the desert or NYC humidity. The show itself was perhaps the best of the tour with all the bands really hitting their mark and then some. I noticed a lot of interesting people backstage as well including Rick Rubin, Lars from Metallica, and my wifes personal favorite, Mike Patton, who i was lucky enough to meet and get to know a little bit. Also on hand was Whitfield Crane who came with my buddy Scott Ian. Whitfield is non stop comedy. Its really funny to listen to the things to come out of that guys mouth/brain. I also ran into my old touring buddy Jim Tobin, and my old freind Dan Hirsch, who I havent seen in ages.


Mike Patton & I

After a very tough month of work, I finally got to say goodbye to the Rock the Bells Tour and take some much needed R&R. Lori had already flown ahead to Oregon so I got to spend one last day off in SF.

I was so tired that day that I wound up taking a long nap in the park near the golden gate bridge. When I finally woke up, my old friend Jen Sand and I went out for some fantastic Indian food at a place called CHUTNEY. holy crap was that great!

----------------
BACK TO OREGON!
----------------
The next day I officially started my vacation. I flew from San Fran to Crescent City, CA on a tiny little turbo prop plane that holds like 20 people. its pretty loud, but it gets you there ok...



When I landed in Crescent City, CA, I rented a car and drove north up to Brookings, OR to meet up with my wife and our freinds who were already camping up river. we had a sweet camp site right near the Chetco River where we stayed for most of the week we there.


Brookings, OR is easly one of the most picturesque places I have ever been. The river is emerald green and crystal clear and the ocean and shoreline is breath taking.





Its really a nice change from NYC to sleep outdoors under the stars. Its so peaceful up there. All you hear is the river til the sun comes up and the birds start chirping.

We did the usual campfire bit of roasting hot dogs, beans, s'mores, drinking a ton of beer, skinny dipping and jamming some acoustic guitars by the fire. Good living!



When we were werent camping we were cruising up 101 North on Loris dads Harley Davidson Fatboy or ripping up the mountainside on a some quadrunners, or shooting guns in the redwood forest.



We had a few accidents, but aside from some bruised butts and egos, it was pretty awesome.



Im typing this while on the plane flying back to NYC and already I cant wait to go back. Im sitting in the dreaded middle seat in between some guy who smells like a locker room and a guy with a bladder the size of mouse. If he gets up again, I may drown him in the blue toilet water...

In the end I am feeling really well rested and recharged. Its hard to explain, since my job is actually pretty fun, but there is a ton of stress. I think maybe this picture that I keep by my desk best describes what my mood was before the trip.


...And this is how I feel now!



----------------
WEIRD PICS ALERT!
----------------

I took this picture from the terminal at JFK before I flew to SF. These guys were only play fighting around, but it looked pretty real for a while. Im sure the airline must be proud of these star employees....


This may be all time favorite! Lori took this one of Harely and I at South Street Seaport in nyc.
Pretty tough eh?

----------
MY TOP 10
----------
HOTEL VITALE (SF)
CHUTNEYS (INDIAN FOOD in SF)
MY NEW READING GLASSES (rayban)
JOHN ROGERS RUGER 9mm
WHARFSIDE DINNER (BROOKINGS OR.)
OREGON REDWOOD TRAIL
WHITE SANGRIA (SOHO GRAND NYC)
FRED MYERS (STORE)
ROB ZOMBIE'S HALLLOWEN
HOT FUZZ (DVD)

-all photos and stories taken and written by matt hanrahan