A birthday rant and Logger season

by Chris Aaland

As I write in anticipation of my 48th birthday (officially Thurs., March 31), I realize I’ve grown old. Not because of age, but because of general crankiness. Just this week, I was bothered by an array of misbehavior that ranged from the benign (customers at the gas station who toss their straw wrappers on the floor instead of discarding them in the garbage can next to the self-serve soda fountain) to the downright dangerous (someone who tailgated me down US 160 West, then swerved across a solid line to pass in the Wildcat Canyon merge lane … while texting, no less).

It continues on the home front. Otto regularly barks an impatient, “Just a minute” while finishing a video game or movie; even 21-month-old Rosie’s favorite word is “No!” The latter is forgiven. Monosyllabic words and comprehension escape her. The former? Obviously we need to employ different parenting tactics.

A good friend of mine posted a clip to his Facebook page of a Marine chasing down a motorcyclist in a parade who was flying the Stars & Stripes upside down. He damn near tackled the protestor to “rescue” the flag. Yeah, I was pissed off. My dad didn’t win a Purple Heart and Bronze Star in Vietnam so that the next generation of Marines could take away first amendment rights from fellow citizens in an effort to prove they’re “more American.” I thought when Obama won in 2008, he liberated liberals like me to feel like Americans again. During the eight years of Bush, we felt marginalized. Now Trump and his ilk have upped the ante of hatred.

We’re witnessing the death of civility. Terrorists bomb subways and airports in Europe; gun nuts leave loaded firearms in their back seats for toddlers to fire; governors and legislators deny select citizenry of their rights due to sexual identity, skin color and wealth; and the front-runner for the Great Old Party thinks tweeting a photo of his Eastern European model wife next to an unbecoming photo of his rival’s wife is just hunky dory.

How are we supposed to raise civil children in a world where candidates for the highest office in the land want to build walls to keep out Mexican rapists, carpet bomb those murderous Muslims, treat one gender like they’re an accessory, and poison the environment with gleeful contempt just to spite those who employ science, logic and decency in their decision making.

To quote the 1976 satirical film “Network,” “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it!” Yes, I’m a grumpy old man. I’m grumpy because the rhetoric that flies around us is accepted by far too many as the gospel. I’m angry that our stuff is more important than our well-being. And I’m incensed that we live in a world where wars are waged and innocent lives lost in an epic battle between the Bible, the Talmud and the Koran. And I’m furious that I’m just as guilty as the other side.

Fortunately, we can escape with vices of music and drink.

Manic Focus and Late Night Radio bring electronic music to the Animas City Theatre at 9 p.m. Wednesday. Manic Focus is the beat-bumpin’ project of John “JmaC” McCarten, a Chicago-based producer originally from the Twin Cities. A multi-dimensional artist with a rowdy style unbound to any one genre, Manic Focus transcends sound waves by fusing soulful blues with heavy-hitting bass. Late Night Radio is the musical persona of Denver’s Alex Medellin, whose sound incorporates prolific production, innovative experimentation and a dogged dedication to his craft.

Farmington Hill brings its country-fried indie rock north to the Grand Imperial Hotel in Silverton at 8 p.m. Saturday for Venture Snowboards’ annual Spring Fling. The event kicks off Silverton Mountain’s unguided season and includes drink specials, raffle prizes (including the grand prizes of a Venture board and Silverton Mountain lift tickets).

While the vernal equinox officially landed on March 20, spring doesn’t arrive in Durango until the new pallets loaded with lime green cans roll out of the Ska Brewing World Headquarters. Ska hosts its annual Mexican Logger release party from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, with cheap Mexis, food specials from the Container and live music from Carute Roma. Fortunately, I stashed a case of last year’s Loggers deep in the back of my beer fridge. Eight survived the winter. Decorum calls for me to sacrifice them this weekend, along with a fresh lime or two. Sounds like Campfire Friday in the back yard!

It’s no April Fool’s joke: Steamworks taps The Devil Gose Down to Georgia at 3 p.m. on Firkin Friday. A gose is a top-fermented beer that originated in Goslar, Germany. Dominant flavors traditionally include lemon, herbs and a strong saltiness. Steamworks tips its hat to part-time La Plata County resident Charlie Daniels and his iconic hit song, plus Georgia peaches. Their base is Colorado Kölsch, already a light, crisp ale with a hint of sweetness. “We’ve soured it with lactobacillus to achieve a pleasant tart quality, then refermented it in the firkin with peach puree and a dash of pink Himalayan sea salt,” said brewer Spencer Roper, adding that the sour and salt are key characteristics of a quality gose. “The fruit compliments the two and the result is a refreshing beer ready to usher in warmer weather,” noted brewmaster Ken Martin.

Music in the Mountains hosts “Cocktails with the Conductor” from 6-8 p.m. Sunday at the Sorrel Sky Gallery. Music director and conductor Guillermo Figueroa will unveil the 2016 festival program as well as guest star soloists that highlight MITM’s 30th anniversary. Plus, patrons can bid on a live auction of festival ensemble packages to host their very own private party this summer. Auction items even include a private performance by three-time Grammy winner Matt Albert, who will serve his third year as the conservatory artist director. Signature martinis and fabulous wines will be paired with a variety of hors d’oeuvres.

And KDUR’s spring membership drive kicks off Friday and runs for a full week. Call 247-7262 or visit kdur.org to pledge your support of community radio.

This week’s Top Shelf list is my pledge for my 49th year:

- Listen
- Learn
- Laugh
- Love
- Live

May the four winds blow you safely home? Email me at chrisa@gobrainstorm.net.