Secret Dakota Ring » Good News for the Baggage-less

Share This Page: Email | Facebook | Del.icio.us ||| Subscribe: RSS

| My Yahoo! | Bloglines
Quick Links: MySpace | Serious Business Records

ORDER CANTARELL at Serious Business Records

Good News for the Baggage-less

The other day, I decided to clean out my car for the first time in over two and half years. As you can imagine, I came across a lot of things I haven’t seen in a while: an ice scraper (very useful in LA), MapQuest directions from New York, NY to Los Angeles, about $10 in loose change that would have saved me from a zillion parking tickets had I known about it. I also found three copies* of Do Not Leave Baggage All the Way, hidden under an old sweater:

Now, I know there are a lot of folks out there that are still interested in a physical copy of DNLBATW, so it looks like three of you will get one. I just haven’t decided how I’m going to give them out (selling them just isn’t that much fun, you know?). Stay tuned to this website, or sign the mailing list above, as I think I’ll have some sort of contest.

(* - OK, there were actually four. This is the fourth:

As you can see it is signed by someone, but that’s not me. That’s the signature of Gabe Kapler, member of the 2004 Red Sox (you know it is part of the operational parameters of this site that baseball be worked into every “news” post possible). It’s weird, because I found these copies of DNLBATW last Sunday, which is the same day the Red Sox won the World Series again. Anyway, Gabe Kapler was a bench player in 2004 and wasn’t a major component of the team (although is responsible for this awesome page - make sure your sound is turned on) making his signature on my record not very remarkable.

Basically, I was going to see my friend Asaf (who played drums on “Broken Cars”) perform at Universal City in a band called Piamenta. I think it was during Hanukkah, and they were playing a Jewish festival in the Citywalk. One of the big attractions of the festival was an appearance by Gabe Kapler, Jewish baseball player and member of the newly crowned world champion Red Sox.

Asaf, knowing I was a huge Red Sox fan, really wanted me to get his autograph, and was pulling out all the stops to get it for me. Now, I’ve never been a huge fan of autographs, but Kapler was on the team that broke the curse and it was a nice gesture by Asaf so I decided to stick around.

I waited by the stage for about an hour while a group of young kids in Red Sox hats started to amass around me. Apparently, there are no Jewish Red Sox fans above the age of twelve in Los Angeles, because as the autograph-desiring crowd grew, the ratio of kids to awkward 25-year-olds approached 50 to 1. I’d like to stress the “1″ part of that ratio.

Finally, Gabe showed up and went down the line signing kids caps and baseballs, tussling their hair, throwing in the occasional “thanks, big guy!”. When he got to me, I handed him the only thing I had on me, a copy of DNLBATW.

Gabe Kapler: (pausing as he realizes he’s talking to someone over the age of fourteen) “What’s this?”
Me: “Oh, it’s a record that I made.”
GK: “Oh, ok….uh, cool. Thanks.” (Starts to walk away.)
Me: “No…um, I was hoping you could sign it.”
GK: “Oh…you want me to sign your CD?”
Me: (realizing this is kinda weird) “I guess.”
GK: “So…yes?”
Me: “Um, yeah.”
GK: (signs it, hands it back) “Thanks.”

That remains to this day the only Red Sox player I’ve ever met and one of the most awkward interactions of all time.

So, I don’t think I’ll be giving this one away if only to keep as a token of that totally uncomfortable moment.)

4 / November / 2007 el beisbol, rocknroll

1. Yukie Haneda | November 5th, 2007 at 3:23 am

I’m not good at English, so long sentence makes me cry….but I understand you mean only 3 persons can buy a copy of DNLBATW?sigh
2. Yukie Haneda | November 5th, 2007 at 3:59 am

Of course I want to buy it! but everybody wants to buy it. We have to wait until who are chosen. and persons who are chosen
thank to the good luck of Red Sox won.
3. Yukie Haneda | November 5th, 2007 at 6:29 am

I’m sorry and shamed three continuation.
I took time to read. I found my misread.
anyway, you are trying to be fair.
I’ll let your Japanese fans know this.
we have Andy Ross community on mixi (a kind of social network service)A girl from Kyoto who you gave your autograph in Osaka Summer Sonic festival manages it. Unfortunately, there are many people like me who don’t know English well.
though I think they’ve already signed the mailing list.
The story of you and Gabe Kepler really made
me laugh.
4. Becky | November 5th, 2007 at 9:14 am

So, would a Cubs fan be able to get in on that “I’ve just found three CDs of DNLBATW whilst cleaning out my car” action?
5. Shalu | November 5th, 2007 at 3:25 pm

Oh, sweet! I’ve wanted a copy for the longest time. Bring on the contest!

Hahahah what an awkward story. At least you met him, right?

=)
6. Katie | November 5th, 2007 at 7:56 pm

LoL yes, bring on the contest. I’m pumped. I’ll be pulling all the stops out.
7. meg | November 5th, 2007 at 8:59 pm

I’m so glad I convinced my brother to buy me a hard copy for Christmas…
good luck to whoever still needs one!!

oh and nice story, haha. As a Boston resident, the only thing I remember about Gabe Kapler was his scarily ginormous muscles.
8. Natalie | November 6th, 2007 at 9:09 pm

Sweet! I seriously regret not getting my hands on a copy when they were still in stock. At least I’ll have a second chance now. I’m thinking this contest is gonna get very intense.

Anyway, congrats to your Sox (again!). What curse? Yeah, you better keep that Gabe Kapler-signed copy.
9. AJo | November 7th, 2007 at 11:10 am

Dude, you are a gifted blogger.
10. Rosa | November 7th, 2007 at 1:06 pm

A CONTEST!!!!YAY!!!!!
¡¡¡¡GRACIAS ANDY!!!!!!

Oh my, oh my, what could it be? mud-wrestlig? salsa dancing? guitar hero? This is going to be fun!

I believe I’m speaking on behalf of everybody when I say one of the copies of DNLBATW should be awarded to whomever writes the best essay in Spanish regarding colombian maritime insurance polities. I think it’s only fair as I’m sure we all have an equal grasp on that particular subject…
11. Rosa | November 7th, 2007 at 1:19 pm

btw, what do runner-ups get as consolation prize? How about the rest of the crap that was in your car? (I want the spare change)

LOL, that thing about GK was weird…
12. Ana Carla | November 8th, 2007 at 10:18 am

OH MY GOD! I totally need a copy of DNLBATW *-*
13. Yukie | November 8th, 2007 at 3:58 pm

最も良いのは、SDRの２ndアルバムを出すついでに
DNLBATWも再発行することです。
そうすれば、このアルバムを欲しがっている皆が
買えるのに・・・。
そして、OK Goの３rdアルバムが出れば
彼にはまた新しいファンが増えるでしょう。
新しいファンも１stアルバムを欲しがると思います。
14. Sarah | November 9th, 2007 at 7:09 pm

Hi, I’m in New Zealand so hope that being outside the States doesn’t hinder my chances in ‘the contest’.

I’m a new fan so didn‘t know about you when DNLBAT was first issued, you acquired me when I saw you play in Auckland in August 07. You came down into the crowd to sing ‘a million ways’ and I was in your eye line. I’ve discovered it takes less than 3 minutes to become totally infatuated with you! You perform with emotion, I look forward to watching you again someday.

Oh & your encounter with Gabe story, that’s cringe worthy - but dead funny! I’m sure if it was me meeting you the outcome would be rather similar…
15. Rosa | November 11th, 2007 at 9:23 am

You have a solo album too Sarah?
16. Christine | November 11th, 2007 at 4:06 pm

Hahahahaha!

Ok, that was pretty awkward!You should have danced Lambada the forbbiden dance, just to break the ice.

You are a awesome blogger, you should write in the Ok Go blog again!

xo
17. Yukie | November 12th, 2007 at 12:30 am

I agree with Christine.
You are a awesome blogger. Though I’m not good at English, it really made me laugh sometimes.

Take care, everyone!
The influenza is already raging in Hokkaido. (the north area of Japan)
18. Sarah | November 12th, 2007 at 2:00 pm

now now rosa - settle petal!
19. Sarah | November 12th, 2007 at 11:54 pm

Hey Andy,
I have an idea on how to distribute those precious cd’s….
We all want to know more about you so maybe you could do an andy pop quiz, some questions easy, some hard & some down right ridiculous - questions e.g‘s:

What star sign am I
a) aeries
b) Pisces
c) Sagittarus

My current favourite sneakers are:
a) Nike
b) addidas
c) reebok

Would I prefer to eat?
a) pizza
b) burrito
c) ice cream

Pets - what do I prefer?
a) Cats
b) dogs
c) neither

How many times have I been in love?
a) Never
b) Once
c) Three times

And so on & so on……..

I can write them all for you - it’ll cost you a copy of DNLBATW!!!!
20. Yukie | November 13th, 2007 at 7:59 am

Oh Sarah ! lol　(＾▽＾)
I only know his zodiac sign is Pisces.
His birthday is March 8, same as my youngest son’s.

we need a copy of DNLBATW.
so reissue please!
I think your new fans will need it.
21. Christine | November 13th, 2007 at 3:45 pm

o.O A stalker contest??? hahahahaha!
Andy run to the hills! Quick!!

I think that the contest must involve robots, candy and some papier-machê.
22. Rosa | November 15th, 2007 at 5:51 am

A candy robot army for Andy?
Now that will come in handy,
unless things get real sandy
(cause sand ain’t good on candy).
23. Rosa | November 15th, 2007 at 7:28 am

freaking hell, I’ve just noticed my last post was completely idiotic…how does one delete posts in here?…damn…
24. Yukie | November 16th, 2007 at 3:03 am

Rosa,
It reminds me lyrics from an old song “up the junction”. It was a hit song of SQUEEZE in ‘79 or ‘80.

I got a job with Stanlay
He said I’d come in handy.
And started me on Monday.
So I had a bath on Sunday.
25. Rosa | November 19th, 2007 at 5:06 pm

LOL
26. KNH | November 27th, 2007 at 8:03 am

Oh Andy the most awkward interaction, for me, is when I saw you after the Koko gig recently…I was the first one who stopped you when you came out.
I’m sorry I couldn’t say a word and made you feel awkward!!
27. mayonaise | February 9th, 2008 at 9:57 am

Now I totally agree with Christine, lets build some gigantic candy filled papier-maché robot…like a pinata, or whatever this thing’s called. lol
28. Anna | February 26th, 2008 at 9:54 am

I have been soo digging DNLBATW lately. It makes me wish I could write real songs *pokes at own pathetic attempts and broken guitar hiding under the bed*

I think you should just start reissuing it as a whole. Make more! For all of us!

Trackback | Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed

Good News for the Baggage-less

Leave a comment