First up to bat, my good buddy Aaron, (who as you all know loooooooves Mastodon) decided to rectify the situation that I didn’t yet have their latest album Once More ‘Round the Sun. Which I can tell you, is awesome. Mastodon have a lot of what I liked best in metal, and this album lives up to the hype. I’m really into track 6, “Asleep in the Deep”, which has a very cool chiming Voivod-esque riff.
Proceedings got off to an unofficial start yesterday at noon. We do a monthly lunch out at work regularly, and this one fell on the Friday before my birthday. My co-workers bought me lunch at Beertown, which was very very good. Above, some beer & cheddar soup, as well as some lovely truffled sweet potato fries. I also had some battered calimari.
Jen and her mom always gets me the best T-shirts. Above, two Big Bang Theory T’s, the infamous Walter White, and a spiffy Led Zeppelin swearshirt that will definitely be worn to next year’s Sausagefest.
They also bought me Transformers. FansToys are making some absolutely astounding G1 Masterpiece-class Dinobots right now. Scoria aka Slag is a beautiful, heavy figure. He looks great next to MP Grimlock and MP Prime. If you like Grimlock, you will love this figure. Thank you to Jen’s mom for this amazing figure. I will definitely be getting Swoop. Jen also got me the new Generations Skrapnel/Shrapnel and Reflector, which I also like a lot, for a Scout-class figure.
We went to Mother’s Pizza for dinner tonight. Thanks Dad! I had the small “Grandmother’s”. It tasted a lot like I remember it tasting almost 30 years ago. It had lots of olives and mushrooms, which I topped with double cheese.
Neil DeGrasse-Tyson’s Cosmos on Blu-ray is an absolute treat. Thanks Jen. I hope you don’t mind watching the whole series, over again with me! She also picked up Paul Stanley‘s Face the Music, which I hear is a great read! And who doesn’t like jellybeans?
Thanks everyone for all the birthday wishes. It was a great, laid back day!
mikeladano.com 
I am happy to hear that you enjoyed your day. I want to borrow Cosmos when you are finished watching it.
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I forgot the picture of the wheel!
My dad also bought me a nice car repair for a bent rim.
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Dammit what a haul! Looks like tons of fun, to me. And car repairs. So practical. I feel your pain – we just put a new wheel bearing in the Subaru. Ugh.
I’m glad you like the Mastodon – I loved it! I’ve played it many times now and very time it just grows on me more. Asleep In The Deep is a great pick. I still think The Motherload needs to a single RIGHT NOW. What a huge song.
Also, for the music geek in you, Wiki taught me this:
The song “Once More ‘Round The Sun” contains samples from “Cowboy Song” written by B. Downey & P/ Lynott. Aw hells yeah!
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No kidding?? I didn’t notice, good thing I’m into that second spin! Each song was strong, I also really liked Diamond in the Witch House. The drumming on this CD is insane.
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Yeah I played it again myself, I dunno. Maybe? I’m no expert…
Diamond In The Witch House is also excellent. [NB. I will say that about every song].
Brann Dailor is an insanely good drummer. You should see him play live – HOLY CRAP! Even more impressive, half the time he’s singing while he plays (he’s got one of those headset mics). I don’t know how he does it, but I’m sure glad he does.
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That looks like the hardest job in a band — a singer drummer. More power to him! This is a great CD. I also love the cover art. That’s why I love physical product!
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Yeah! And drumming at the speed that guy goes, he’s lucky he doesn’t end up with a drumstick up his nose from trying to do too much at once!
You should see the quadruple gatefold vinyl of it. My buddy Craig has it and it’s friggin’ gorgeous.
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Actually, wasn’t it you who sent me this?
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I remember that, yes!
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Happy Birthday, Mike! It looks like you had a great one, nice haul of gifts, as well!!!
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Sounds like a great couple of days!
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Stanley’s bio is one of the best I have ever read just for the fact that he talks about his own insecurities growing up along with being successful (which surprised me!) plus the fact that he was sober sells this book to me as well one if the few artists that has a biography out that hasn’t done rehab!
Great read!
U will enjoy….
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Great haul!
Those tees look awesome! And I also like me some food pr0n!
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The food was awesome. Talk about a trip through time!
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Dude, I had occasion to be in the junk shop today – the Mothers glasses were gone. You were right! Somebody collects that stuff!
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Damn! Ah well!
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Now that’s a celebration!
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