okay, maybe “dumber” is too harsh of a word. less focused, perhaps? whatever the case may be i’ve done a little research before i posted this so i could support my claim. now i’ll do my best Scott Lewis impression and say, “let’s look at what i found”: a while back i renewed my license plate by mail. a couple weeks later i received the most expensive tiny sticker ever, read the instructions that told me to make sure the plate was clean & warm then place the sticker in the lower right corner of the plate (since i have the all blue plate) and so i did. Stoked as i was i celebrated by driving my once again legal vehicle up to the Gas & Sip on the corner for a pack of Viceroys. after paying the clerk i got back in my Gremlin then proceeded to pound them on the butt of my hand. while i have no idea what that accomplishes i do it because all good smokers do it and i don’t want to look like an amatuer, but i digress… so as i’m slapping the crap out of my fresh pack i notice the car in front of mine has their little license tab not in the corner…not any corner but rather in the middle of the plate. didn’t they get the instruction sheet that mine had come attached to? hhmmm, odd. whatever. next thing i know i’m looking at every plate i see: in parking lots, at stop signs, gas pumps and i noticed that about one in ten have the sticker in the wrong place. i’ve seen some with them in each corner and in the middle. these people, if they read it at all, clearly skipped over the part on the directions that tell you not only where to put it but that you’re supposed to remove/replace the expired one. nope, some of you are out there showing off the fact that not only are you not good at following instuctions right now but that you haven’t been able to follow instructions for the past half decade. the sheet that mine came attached to even had a little diagram, for crying out loud. maybe it’s just their way of quietly snubbing their collective noses at the law. one tiny, little infraction that makes them feel a bit edgy yet hurts no one. perhaps they just don’t care. perhaps some simply aren’t taking the time to read the accompanying sheet or, as i stated earlier, perhaps some are just dumb. the next time you’re on the road take a look around and see for yourselves…or maybe take a look at your own plate to see if you’re one of “them”.

When punk meets Boston and its brand of Irish nationalism we get the Dropkick Murphys, who were here Wednesday nigh. The accordion, panpipe, and bagpipes have never looked so hot. I would say the same for the ukulele; however, Scotter and the Happy Sunshines take that title. The show at the State Theatre (now confusingly the Fillmore) was a riotous take on traditionally inspired Irish tunes. The display of moshpitting stupidity was hilariously amplified amidst the splendour of the theatre. The bodyguards have quite the strength and technique to deal with surfers. I tried to let it slide when the band sat on their high Red Sox horse and took a jab at our Tigers. Who could blame them? Half the audience was in Red Sox apparel to support the band in Tiger town. Nonetheless, amazing show; can’t wait for the next.

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to effect economic and political change, then that people often have no other choice but to rock you.

The Wayne State Law School Student Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, an organization “dedicated to the need for basic and progressive change in the structure of our political and economic system,” is having a benefit this Saturday at the Village Idiot Pub on the Eastside of Detroit.

The benefit features an eclectic blend of bands, featuring The Hadituptoheres, The Sons of Adray, and Dan Kennedy.

Each band features either a current student member or alum of the Guild. Five bucks at the door, starts at 9pm. All proceeds go to the Wayne State Law School Chapter of the NLG.

Come out for the music, the drinks, and the social justice.

The next day I’m sore. My muscles are achy and my feet swollen. Of course, it’s the kind of pain that you live with very easily, because it’s the consequence of having one of the most dance-tastic nights of your life last night at the Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings show at the Magic Stick.

Soul music is the music of the body as much as it’s the music of the soul. It brings out the usually sublimated human inner desire to fully realize our bodily facticity on a deep ontological level, and this is accomplished by shaking the hell out of what your momma gave ya (aka. your money-maker).

I couldn’t find anyone to go to the show with me since I had decided to go hours beforehand (and am I glad I did!). That didn’t stop me from dancing; in fact, I think I cut more rug than I ever had at a show before. I was right up front and thought for sure that Sharon would pick me to go up on stage to dance with her. She picked the dude next to me. Why Sharon? Why?

Any other loyal readers out there able to experience <a href=”this or this last Tuesday?

The Purple Door Tea Room is located inconspicuously atop the Beigas Gallery at 35 Grand River East behind the YMCA. The overstuffed, upholstered chairs, with dark traditional furniture, china, and explosion of floral will please any Victorian romantic. English tea is served Tuesday through Sunday 12-5 for $25.00 a head. Advanced reservations are required (313-961-0634). The sparkle and purple of the holiday season are whimsically magical.

While this is certainly not breaking news, I figured I would answer my own question from earlier today since I tracked down the answer. Read on for the nitty-gritty on traveling to Canada with your dogs.
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the band is called the Deadstring Brothers. the sound is sort of a classic, blues,rock, alt country thing. i know they’re not really brothers because there is a girl in the band. anyway, they are hosting a record release show this Friday (the 16th) at the Magic Bag in fabulous Ferndale and all should attend as this is sure to be another banner show. and now that the Muggs have gotten the boot from their televised shot at the big time your Friday night should be wide open, huh? oh, and sorry but i’ve got no time for funny storys about Kurt or Masha (from the band) because i’ve got a half million other things i’ve got to get to this afternoon.

Want to be a part of the blogging revolution? Then today is your lucky day: Metroblogging Detroit is currently looking for a few new authors.

Interested? Read on for details on how you can become the newest member of our team.
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I could use your help, dear readers … my husband and I are driving to Syracuse, New York this Friday morning and, as we usually do, are planning on making the trip through Sarnia instead of going the Ohio route. The only difference for us this year is that we are taking our two dogs on the trip with us, and I have no idea whether Canadian border crossing authorities will allow us to pass through their country with our dogs. If anyone has any experience with this, please chime in below in the comments section. Thanks!