J-Log
The Official McAuliffe's Pub Sounding Board

For current J-Log entries please go to http://www.myspace.com/jjmcauliffe 

TUESDAY DEC 5th, 2006

Well I didn't want to start a new J-log entry by apologizing for the length of time it took between the last one. Especially since they all seem to start that way. But I do have to admit this was long time coming....sorry.

But as many of you know I am not the most computer savvy guy in the world, and I seem to have my hands involved in way to many projects. Sometimes when I come home and say "I need to add an entry", I end up falling asleep on the couch. And I kid you not when I say it's not because I'm drunk!

In the last entry I was telling you about our St. Baldricks fundraiser. WOW!! What a success! We ended up raising over $15,000 dollars.

Check out my good buddy Dave Siegerts smugmug sight for all the pictures (plus many great pictures of events at McAuliffes over the years) at http://dfsphoto.smugmug.com . I even grew my hair out as long as it would grow starting on Jan 1st 2006. I then died it purple then pink. Hell why not, if it's coming off anyway let's have some fun. It was funny when I ran into my mom at the grocery store with satanic bright pink/red hair. I looked like I was in The Insane Clown Posse. To think after all these years and many hair styles, I was still capable of shocking my mom at my age (and as a balding old fart on top of it)!

As many of you know we had some problems with our server and for a very long time we were not getting any e-mails from anyone. Our web goddess Jennifer has since corrected the problem and you should be able to get through now. SO IF ANYONE SET ANYTHING IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS WITHOUT A RESPONSE, PLEASE RESEND. Many thanks to Jen for all her work and patience to hunt down the problem, I would be lost without her.

Man, where do I start to make up for lost time in the J-log? I don't want to ramble on to long, but boy did a lot happen.

One major highlight was definitely the week of Milwaukee's Irish Fest. Always one of my favorite times of the year. Thanks to County Clare in Milwaukee for putting me up for the last couple of years and providing wonderful craic. www.countyclare-inn.com

The Week prior to Irish Fest was absolutely wonderful as we hosted two great bands that were headlining stages at Irish Fest.

Enter The Haggis www.enterthehaggis.com and The Young Dubliners www.theyoungdubliners.com .
What a bunch of great guys, and the shows just rocked!! Also a big round of cheers to my old mates The Sandcarvers www.thesandcarversmusic.com for opening both shows. Keep an eye out for all three bands in the near future.

Well Irish Fest is always a good time. A big shout out to the gang on the Celtic Rock stage for running the best stage in any festivals history. You guys rock!!

I had the pleasure of being able to come out and introduce (and jam with) both Enter The Haggis and The Young Dubliners for the whole weekend. And as always the after parties in a location that shall be nameless (because most people who should know already know, and if you have read pass entries you'll know to many chowder heads who have no clue show up to ruin a good thing) well anyway I was even up to see the sunrise.

Aside from the great shows with Enter The Haggis and The Young Dubliners. We also saw many great performers play on our stage:
Hammel on Trial, A New Revolution, The Hacienda Brothers, Katie Todd Bands final show with Travis Dow....and can I add what an honor that show was! Travis we will miss you, but we wish you all the luck out in Portland. To see what Travis has been up to lately check him out at www.travisdow.com or www.myspace.com/travisdow It was also great seeing many of our old friends like The Dammitheads, The Pulltops, The Pipe Circus, Snooky, Kopecky, Billy Orphan, Five Man Trio, Three Floors Up, Fearless Leader, Fallen, Lyden Moon, all put on great shows. Sorry if I didn't include all the great bands since the last post, but we would be here for a very long time if I listed them all.

And in a McAuliffes Pub first Saturday Dec 3, Andy the guitarist for the band Shameless Place asked his girlfriend to marry him in the middle of a show. I'm pretty sure she said yes. Congrats to them, that Rocks!!!

How time fly's, I just went to my 20 year high school reunion and I have to say....what a blast.
We had the pre reunion party at the pub the Friday before, and I have to say I was a little nervous. I have to be honest, I was less then your average high school teen. I had long hair, piercings, bad attitude, and a taste for outrageous music...punk, alternative(when that title actually meant something), new wave, and metal. I was an outcast, and it was a Catholic school St. Catherine's no less.

But I have to say, years will change people. It was a pleasure seeing some of the same people who actually made my life hell in school. Granted some of them still have the "it's all about me attitude", but it was a real pleasure none the less. Plus I had great company with my favorite girl in the whole world Kim. Talk about awkward...."hey hon. want to meat 200 people I use to go to school with and haven't seen in 20 years?" She did, and I do believe she had fun also.

ELECTIONS- Well another election year has passed and for the first time in years I can remember everyone I voted for except one candidate won. WHOA THERE LITTLE DOGGIES, before you go an pass judgment and assume I must have voted Democratic, you are mistaken!. I voted on issues and who I felt was best for the job. Yes I voted for "some" Democrats, but I also voted for "some" Republicans. I'm going to say this at the risk of pissing some of you off but.....If you vote straight party, YOUR AN IDIOT!!!!!!!
You are the reason the system does not work!!!

That being said we had a great turnout for the meet and greet we had for Sheriff Bob Carlson and Cory Mason (DO.assembly).
Cory even had his post victory party at the Pub. Congrats you guys, I know you'll do great.

McAuliffe's also hosted another successful Jammin For The Arts benefit. As you may know Jammin For The Arts was a project that I helped develop as part of my Leadership Racine training program www.leadershipracine.org .
The idea behind it is you pay $10 and get to go to over nine venues to see live music, or you go to a participating restaurant that evening to eat. They will then donate a percentage of their till to J.F.T.A.
The money that is raised then goes for helping children's music and arts programs in schools throughout Racine and Racine county. At last count I believe we had raised over $7000 dollars. There is still much more work to be done in the aftermath.
Thanks to all the bands and restaurants that took part, you rock! We had a great lineup with Dave Tomaloff, Norm Pratt, The Pull, and The MAHP.

We also hosted the Jeremiah Sanders Family Benefit. Jeremiah was a father of two (with a third on the way) who passed away in a terrible woodchipper accident. Words cannot describe the hell that happened to him, not to mention his family and loved ones.
It was a heartwarming night with all the people who came out to support the family, and all the people who volunteered there time to helping out with food, raffles, donations, etc. Big thanks to Three Floors Up for providing music. We were able to raise over $1200 for the family. Thanks to all who came.

Well I know there is much more I can go on about, but at this point I don't want to make this to long. I'll try not to wait another 1/2 year to post something. For those who have patiently waited for a new post, Thanks! I hope this was ok.

Slainte
JJ

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FRIDAY APRIL 21st, 2006

Holy Cow it's been a long time since an entry! And boy have things changed since then.

Our long time webmaster Grand Master Gareth has stepped down. Between his job at Northwestern University, The Sandcarvers site, his site, kids, and his part time photo job it's a wonder he has time to sleep. Knowing the G-man he probaly doesn't do much of that anyway. We were sad to see him go, but we totally understood! Gareth love you bro, and I wish you all the luck in the world!
Not to worry Gareths pix will still be popping up eventually.

And the saga continues! Our good friend Jen will be picking up the web duties.
Jen is the person responsible for even starting this website, and has been a good friend for many years. So it is a pleasure and an honor to have her back!!

Well since the last entry we have had some pretty amazing moments at the Pub. St. Patrick's has come and gone and what a year!! We set a record for attendance and with that many people we had a blast! That's what I love about our patrons...we have a full house and everyone's having a good time and all attitudes where checked at the door. Not one problem. Thanks everyone.

We also had out good friends from Austin Texas A New Revolution hang out with us for a week. For those of you not familiar with A New Revolution they recently played the Ozzfest tour and did two shows at McAuliffe's. In their time off we took them out to dinner at Well's Brothers (best pizza in the world), Bucket's (best wings in the world), and Steve and Drew (two of McAuliffe's house sound technicians) did sound for them at an all ages show at a local club in Racine called Optix. Hell I even joined them on stage for a killer rendition of Metallica's "Master of Puppets". Good guy's, don't miss them next time they come back.

As many of you know I have been growing my hair (I know what's left of it) since new years for our upcoming fundraiser we will be doing Saturday April 22nd for the St. Baldrick's Society. St. Baldrick's is an organization that raises money for childhood cancer research www.stbaldricks.org , on Saturday the 22nd at 6pm we will have over 20 participants from all over Wisconsin shave their head for charity. If you want to come out and support us please by all means do. You will be guaranteed a great time and a smile on your face. You will also help put a smile on a childs face who is suffering from cancer., not only by raising money but by showing solidarity for that child by shaving your head or doing the shaving to a friend.

WOW DOES TIME FLY!!
Yes folks, the weekend of April 28,29,30th will mark the celebration of McAuliffe's EIGHT YEARS IN BUSINESS!!
As we always do on that weekend, we bring out some of our all time favorite performers to do our anniversary show.
This year is no exception, only HOLY COW WHAT A LINEUP THIS YEAR!!!

Friday the 28th we will have The Dammitheads with Dark Horse Project. Dave and Steve (from the Dammitheads) have been involved with the Pub now in one way or the other since day one (Steve is our newest bartender). Both of them have been playing the club (as The Dammitheads) or with their former bands as long as we have been open. It's a honor to have them for the Anniversary. The Dark Horse Project is Liv, formerly of The Lovelies new band. This show is going to kick!

On Saturday We have our good friends The Katie Todd Band www.katietoddband.com . This is a band to watch for. They are going to be huge! I'm not kidding! Their brand of catchy groove pop will just blow you away. They just were asked to play this years Lollapalooza on the main stage no less! If you don't have a good time at one of their shows, you have no pulse.
Now even though we try to fit in bands for the anniversary shows that have played by us many times or are close to the Pub. We really had to make an exception this year with a band that I think will be a BIG part of McAuliffe's Pub's future. They are a band from Omaha Nebraska called Oxygen www.oxygeno2.com . Oxygen did a show a couple of weeks ago as part of a multiband showcase, and they just blew us away. We knew we were seeing something special (even Repo our doorman was impressed, and if you know Repo that's saying ton's) We had to ask them back.
This will be the weekend to come check out great music.

Normally on our anniversary show weekends we do not charge a cover. This is a practice I very much would continue to support if our venue was a little bigger, but alas with the talent we are bringing in this year it would be difficult. Fear not little rascals!! All these great bands can be yours for the very, very low cover price of ONLY $3 per night!!!

Not trying to be rude, but I dare you to find anyplace in the country were you could see The Dammitheads, Dark Horse Project, The Katie Todd Band, or Oxygen for that price! That's $1.50 per band per night (less then what you would put in a jukebox in an evening). So come out support McAuliffe's on our anniversary, support the best indie bands in the land, and hell come on out and have a good time.

We'll leave the lights on!
Slainte
JJ
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2006

Hello everyone...again, it's been a while since my last post. I apologize for that, but as many of you know I'm really lazy (Ha,Ha)!

Much has happened since my last entry. We've had some wonderful shows, some great parties, including the annual Hi-fi Christmas party, to name but a few.

There's also been a line up change in the band I was in...yes folks, it's true, I have stepped down from The Sandcarvers.

Now, before you all get yourselves in an uproar, it was all good! The band was moving at a speed that I just could not keep up with. Gigs were coming at us left and right...it was just getting to be too much. Now, when you're young and idealistic and you want to be in a band that's doing well, it's cool as hell, but when reality sets in and it begins to affect your business...and your business affects the band, well,  it's time to move on. I had the best years of my life playing with The Sandcarvers, but they need to progress without all my extra projects and the Pub getting in the way. It was the right thing to. I still love them like Brothers...and a sister! I want to thank The Sandcarvers for posting the official announcement on their site and for allowing me to say a few parting words...that was very cool of them.

As far as the Pub goes, what a great couple of months it's been! We've hosted some wonderful shows recently. One show in particular that will go down in history for me was The Third Annual Hi-fi Christmas Party. It was the first time the event was held at McAuliffe's. What is the Hi-fi Christmas Party?  It's a group of great power pop bands from the Chicago/Milwaukee area who come together once a year to raise money for von Willebrands Disease and The Blood Center of Milwaukee.

von Willebrands is a the most common genetic disorder in the world (classic hemophilia is more well known due to its connection with the royal families of Europe). In fact, vWD is 100 times more common than classic hemophilia. The founder of the event, Dan Pavelich, has a daughter who suffers from this disease, so this is very close to his heart. Imagine being a child and being in fear of something as small as a scrapped knee being able to kill you!

When Dan approached me about doing the show at McAuliffe's, I thought it was a great idea. Seven great power pop bands getting together for an evening of Christmas music...power pop style! This was a no brainier. All the bands where wonderful; October Elsewhere, Sketch Middle, Crush Proof Box, The Bradburys, Phil Angotti & The Idea, Freak City Soundtrack (A great Material Issue tribute band), and probably one of the coolest things to ever happen at the pub, Jeff Murphy in his first solo performance!

I don't want to ramble on too long about this (believe me I could), but Jeff Murphy played in the legendary Chicago/Zion band The Shoes. When I was a small child my cousin Pete took me to my first Rock concert. It was The Shoes with Blackfoot on Milwaukee's lakefront for the "Pro Rock Rally," an event put on by WLPX to protest a nut-job in Racine who, at the time, was crusading against "rock" music.

As a musician and a very proud club owner who lives for music, it was such a treat to have a performer play on our stage who basically introduced me to my first live concert experience. If things go right (and I get my way) look for a Shoes show sometime this year.

For more info on von Willebrands and the great bands that did the show, you can contact Dan Pavelich at danpavelich@aol.com.

People have been asking when I'm going to get a new J-log entry up, so this is going to be part one of a two part installment. I have so much to catch up on that if I included everything, it would be one hell of a long post! So keep checking this site for part two, as I have much to talk about; the best shows of the year, the Jeff Lempke Memorial Show, the McAuliffe's Pub movie debut, etc. So please keep checking for updates on the bands and thanks for your support!

Slainte
JJ

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2005

Hello everyone sorry it's been so long since I have had an update...if I said times are crazy right now it would be an understatement!

We are full swing into our band season, plus with Andy and Jill working weeknights, all our college (Parkside/ Carthage) buddies are coming in to visit. We've also hosted some pretty amazing shows, with the likes of The Dammitheads (their CD release party), The Katie Todd Band (CD release party), Hammel On Trial, The Fenians, Kopecky, Parrel Mind, Lyden Moon, The Mahp, Sunspot, The Sandcarvers, Sweet Jelly, the return of local legends Snooky and their brand new guitarist, Wheelie Bar (CD release party), a new group of friends to join McAuliffe's Pub for regular shows (and be the first band to have OVER %75 of the audience dancing) Three Floors Up (look for them more often) and so much more!

On top of the Pub, the band I perform with The Sandcarvers has been ubber busy. Besides playing on a regular basis, we just finished recording our new album with our good friend Chris Dijuric at Racines's legendary Studio One. Hopefully, you'll see the album out by December and if you're a fan of the band, I think you will be very surprised and happy!

We (Myself, The Sandcarvers, McAuliffe's Pub) have also been active on the movie front. Both the Pub and I appear in a new movie that just came out called "October Moon." I play a bartender (some stretch) in the film for a Pub called McAuliffe's Pub (yes they kept the name, how cool!) In a scene as the two main characters enter the pub, The Sandcarvers DROWSING MAGGIE, and CHANGES can be heard in the background. How cool...my first "official" movie and not only do I get a part, the pub's in it and the band, too! GO SEE THIS MOVIE...SUPPORT INDIE FILMMAKING!
 
As much as I do not want to bring people down, especially with all my previous J-log entrees dealing with the subject of death, I must fill you in on the legend that is Jeffery Lemke. In my line of work, in the business of music, with the amount of people I know and deal with on a regular basis, a lot of people I know pass away. The death of Mac a couple months back was very hard for all of us at McAuliffe's, (BTW-Thanks Mac for your influence in getting a victory for The White Sox!)

On Monday, October 3rd, Jeffery Lempke passed away in his sleep. This is by far one of the hardest deaths I have ever dealt with.

Jeff was only 42 years old. He was the founding member of local ICONS Blind Ambition, he was their guitarist. I remember seeing Jeff's early bands (including Blind Ambition) when I was just a teenager. He and all his bandmates showed me that you can still rock and roll in Racine...that our little community is just as good as anywhere else! He helped me out many times in the early years of the pub by running sound. He also took in small local bands and helped them out by recording them.

His band played more benefits, I think, then any other band in Racine! Matter of fact, one week prior to his death, I purposely did not ask them to play "The Hurricane Jam" benefit that McAuliffe's and The Yardarm put on at Racine's Roma Lodge. I felt that they were exhausted playing so many benefits that they did not want to be bothered with another. Turns out when word got out to them that no one asked them to do "The Hurricane Jam," they were like, "W.T.F?"

People, when I tell you that they play many benefits, I am not exaggerating...I would be at this keyboard all night listing the benefits they have done.

The wake and the funeral actually accured during the recording process of The new Sandcarvers CD. As Chris (our engineer) myself and the band were all friends with Jeff, we actually delayed part of our recording process.

Death is always hard, but it really sucks when that person is way too young...way too generous...way too talented. Just an all around good person. And in this case he was taken from us way to young!

JEFF, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE FOR THIS COMMUNITY! I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU BROTHER!

Please vist the Jeff Lemke Memorial Benefit web site.

I'm sorry folks, I'm emotionally drained from this entry, I need a drink!
JJ

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2005

Washington Island, Islanders Baseball, Irish Fest & Me…
Well, summer is here and we really slow down on the number of shows at the Pub…too much going on to compete with.

Yet, we have had some memorable shows; The Hacienda Brothers, Come And Go and the return of Five Man Trio's open jam sessions.

But with the slowing down of shows, it's time for me to go out and do stuff myself, so if you’ve come to visit me at the Pub one night and I was not there, I'm sorry. Not to mention The Sandcarvers have been gigging left and right. Most musicians retire and open up a club…I went in the other direction.

Any of my closest friends (or any one who really knows me) knows of my love for Washington Island on the very end of Door County. When I get a chance, that is were I like to be. Not only is it one of the most beautiful places in Wisconsin, it's not over run with all the "touristy" attractions that are all over Door County. You have to take a Ferry across the channel and, once you land, there’s no adventure golf…fast food restaurants…tourist trap-like shops....just a lot of hiking, biking, drinking, kayaking, fishing, drinking, camping, drinking, Island baseball, drinking, four wheeling, swimming, eating…oh, and did I mention drinking?

One of the greatest experiences one can have is going to a Door County baseball game on the Island. Okay…let's establish this right now; it is not underhanded sissy softball! This is actual, over-handed, regulation BASEBALL!

The Washington Island Islanders have the most rabid fan base in the county. Going to a ball game is just a Zen experience: there are no corporate sponsors, no salaries, NO BABIES! This is baseball in its purest form. They play out of love, pride, and the chance at being champions.

A little something about the Island folk; they really take their game seriously, making Packers fans look like wimps (I'm not kidding) and they are known throughout the county for being loud and crazy fans.

It was at one such game that I learned of a benefit that was being held the next week for an Islander named John Hanlin. John has cancer and was given only a short time to live. So the Island came together to throw a big fundraiser for him. It was held at the Deer Run Golf Course and included a golf outing, food, beer, silent and live auction, children's games, buffet diner, live music, and a DJ [What's up D.J. Chuck, my brother?].

While I was at one of the ballgames, someone suggested that I should take part in the bachelor auction being held at the event. I then suggested, “How about if I come in my kilt and the ladies could bid on who can check what's under the kilt?”

I thought, “No way in hell would this fly!” I was wrong!

So, the following week I went back to the Island to take part in the auction. I was in FULL attire: Jacket, vest, big fox-head sporran. I'm thinking, “Okay, the most I might get is $50.”

Well, at about $80, bidding slowed a little, until Robin (from historic Nelsen’s Hall) raised the stakes to $100. I'm happy to tell you a certain Island gal [thanks Terry] bid for the right to see what's really under the kilt for $135. Not bad to see my ass which, by the way, had a huge smiling face painted on it [thanks Marla].

After the auction Laura Sawosko (the local musical pride of Washington Island) took the stage for a set. It was really cool. For her last song I joined her on stage with my bodhran and we had the whole tent clapping.

It really choked me up when Mrs. Hanlin came up to me and thanked me, saying that I really livened things up and made it one memorable evening. That goes in my book as one of the greatest compliments I could ever get. Mrs. Hanlin, it was my pleasure!

After all this, I headed over to The Granary Bar. The Island has four bars in its downtown area, in addition to a small grocery store, a hardware store, the local paper and a couple houses…this makes up the entire downtown. It is smaller then one small city block.

Anyway, Switchback (a band from Chicago) were playing at The Granary and, being that they are a fine Celtic/ Americana/ Bluegrass ensemble, it was only natural to break out the bodhran and jam with them! Thanks guys…what a hoot! Look for them soon at The Pub.

The next day, I turned down a chance to go out on an old fishing boat with Kenny Koyan (“The Fishing Mortician,” who owns The Granary and KK Fiske restaurant…BEST BREAKFAST IN WISCONSIN) so I could go with my friend Janet to the playoff game between The Islanders Vs. Egg Harbor. The Islanders had already beat Egg Harbor twice this season, so the playoff game was held “off-island” in Bailey's Harbor.

What a friggin’ game! The Islanders were down by eight runs, only to come back to tie the game in the 8th and then send it into extra innings. They lost by one run in the 10th, but it was one hell of a game…NEXT YEAR!

The ferry ride back to the mainland was just amazing…all the Islanders (and me) who were at the game. Car stereo's cranking…beer a-lowin’…it was awesome! It was like attending a cool-ass party, but it was on the 1/2 hour ferry ride…and the weather was PERFECT!

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IRISH FEST 2005
Thursday
What can be said about my favorite weekend of the year? This year was no exception.

I started out at “The Gathering” on Thursday night and then got to check out my mates in The Young Dubliners, and also caught The Bridies.
It was good to see my friend Marilyn Lashley there. She looked great and was even drinking a beer…go Marilyn!

The official St. Patrick’s Day house band for McAuliffe's Pub—The Steel Bonnets—showed up later, after being asked to play a set for Mary McAleese, the President of Ireland, who was in town for The Fest. Now, if you’ve ever seen The Bonnets before, you know their dress apparel…no, not that tonight! Well, tonight they wore dress shirts with those kilts…Rickey even had a tie on! You guy's looked great.

Friday
We did the annual bus trip from the Pub and—with the exception of a couple of macho-manly-men—the trip was a success.

We caught up with our friends Shawn and Brandi, who own O'Marro's Public House in Oshkosh. They had their own bus trip to the fest as well. Then, I partied with all the wonderful folks of Wisconsin Scottish and their friends, upstairs at the Aer Lingus Stage. What a blast…and free beer, to boot! I officially had my kilt christened at this party…thanks guys!

Saturday
Checked into my room at The County Clare (How cool is that? Thanks Jill) and hoped into a cab to the Fest. No drinking and driving for me, especially if I'm coming from Irish Fest!

I got there in time to hook up with Clan Young (WE RIDE!) and walk in the Irish Fest parade with them. That's always a cool experience. Thanks guys (gals).

My friends in Black 47 arrived and I had the honor of introducing them to the crowd on Saturday night. Lucky thing I didn't do what I did last year introducing Seven Nations, when I tripped over Kirk’s guitar cord, unplugging it and exposing myself to the first three rows.

Toward the end of Black 47's set, I had the pleasure of joining the band onstage, playing bodhran for a rendition of "Funky Ceili.” Larry Kirwin (Black 47's singer/guitarist) snuck up on me, stuck his guitar underneath my kilt and raised it. Luckily, my super-fast reflexes were able to get the bodhran down to cover me-self up before too many people saw my underside (and for free even).

Of course, no Irish Fest night would be complete without a trip to the upstairs bar of a certain place that shall remain nameless. And the reason it shall remain nameless is because I don't want to contribute to the deluge of people who have been showing up that really don't belong. It used to be really special going to this place, because it was a chance to hang with some of the greatest musicians on earth and hear late night sessions, or even be part of them. It was cool knowing that you could go and say hi to one of your favorite performers and buy them a cocktail…or in many cases, buy you a cocktail. The fans respected the bands and vice versa. Now, it's a case of people showing up who weren't even at the fest, and not having a clue. I'm not trying to be elitist, I'm just saying; have some respect for the artists and the fans of those artists who are there for the love of the music and camaraderie.

It sickened me when some punks interrupted a really killer session in an upstairs hall so they could use the bathroom for a drug deal! Fucking pathetic! How do I know it was a drug deal? Well, how many guys do you know who go into a bathroom together and—after 15 minutes—still haven't come out? And when you go in, all three of them are standing in the same stall. Maybe it was just public love making, who knows?

Sunday
I met up with my Mom; Aunt Sue; my sister Tina and her boyfriend, Jason. It's always nice hanging with family at the Fest. It's really a tradition in our family and it's always fun. Repo (McAuliffe's bouncer) showed up later and we hung out.

I introduced Black 47 and had the honor of jamming with them again. Only this time, I was ready for Larry when he tried lifting the kilt. Joe (47's piper) and I had a very cool rock star moment jamming away. Gareth (the Pub’s web guru) was even able to get some pictures backstage.

It's always a sad evening when the fest comes to an end…four days of good food, good music, good friends, shitty beer…what more could you ask for?

Went back to "the nameless place" and had a great time hanging with my friend Andrew Goodsight, Keith from The Young Dubliners and hoping I convinced Cherish the Ladies to play at The Pub. But alas, as the night became morning, my body said, "Enough!" and I had to retire to my room.

Monday
When I got home, I was out like a light on my couch! Sorry to all the salespeople I usually meet on Monday.

Slainte’
JJ

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THURSDAY, JULY 28 2005

Hello everyone, I just want to start out and apologize to anyone who has sent emails to this site in the last couple of months and not received a response. For you see, I am completely computer illiterate…no I'm really not kidding. I sometimes feel Ted Kaczynski was onto something!

Anyway, I was just mentioning to Gareth (McAuliffe's web guru) that it was odd that I was not getting any emails through the site. He checked into it, and sure enough, they were in limbo. It was explained to me that when we changed our host for the site we needed to change stuff and frigamacfracts and thingamajigs and blah blah (I told you I have no clue) for me to get these emails. I still don't know what the f*&k he did, but now, hopefully it works!

ALL YOU FOLKS WHO SENT A MESSAGE, PLEASE PATIENT—I WILL GET BACK TO YOU SOON!

All this being said, I want to take some time out and tell you about a wonderful human being—and friend—not only to McAuliffe's Pub, but to all of us who work here.