My son has ESP

The holiday season is almost over. I wasn't sure if we were going to be able to get all our shopping done in time this year. My wife was brave (or insane depending on how you look at it) enough to put on the full body armor and wade into the most dangerous territory one can imagine in search of last minute gifts...the mall.

Here is what she looked like (and I am sure it wasn't enough to keep her safe)...

Okay okay, so she didn't really wear a suit like that, but I am thinking she should have. That place is truely a battlefield this time of year. The mall, and the 5 mile radius around it are to be avoided at all costs. I will add another 25 minutes to my drive just to avoid it.

Anyways.

My wife's brother and his family came for Christmas this year. Unlike most people I talk to out there, I actually really like my wife's family. Her brother and his wife have 2 kids that our son just loves playing with. I was really hoping that her dad would come this year as well. He wasn't able to make it, but we are going to get him up here again soon.

Her brother's kids show up and they both have one of those PSP's. You know, the hand held mind numbing things Sony likes to call a game/movie unit.

Drew just thought this was the neatest thing since, well, his Wii. Of course they just HAD to have the Star Wars Battlefront game on it so that just added to the overall "cool" factor for him. Well, grandpa (in his behind the scene plot to get back at Jayna for all the things she put him through when she was a kid) decided that since they both had one, Drew had to have one too. So he sent a PSP up with her brother to give to Drew.

We decided to give it to him yesterday since the other two had theirs. It has been nothing but constant blaster fire, "I GOT YOU!!!!", "Dad, he keeps killing me" ect...

Oh, and Drew is so funny. He has been telling everyone that his "papa" gave him a "ESP".

My son officially has ESP now.

Barlow is back!!!!!!

This was posted on Iced Earth's website last week. I was out of town for a hockey tournament so I missed this until today. This has got to be the greatest news in music!


Hello Dear Friends!
Once again the winds of change are upon us, and this time I can say that I am very happy about the result.
While out on the European tour I had several in depth discussions with many loyal Iced Earth fans. A common theme of these discussions was how much Matt is missed. I agreed with the fans that things were not the same and that it was a very special period in Iced Earth’s history.
When I heard several months ago that Matt was going to be doing a project in music again, I was thinking about contacting him and seeing what his intentions were. I didn’t act on this because I was so focused on the writing of the new epic, and frankly, it just didn’t seem realistic.
Well, after getting out on the road and speaking with many of you directly, I decided to call Matt and see how he was doing and if he was interested in working together again. I am proud to say that he is coming back to Iced Earth and we will be getting back to work in the studio very soon.
Matt will be singing on Part 2 of the Something Wicked concept CD and we will be looking forward to getting out on tour and delivering a series of Iced Earth shows that will rival any in the history of the band. And there will be a proper DVD filmed from this period, something we’ve all been waiting for.
I want you all to know that it was you who made this a reality. I have missed Matt’s presence onstage and in my personal life in a big way over the past few years, so I appreciate your honesty in our discussions. It did help me realize the decision to move forward with pursuing this. The fans have spoken and we have delivered!
You true fans know that I’m a straight shooter, I say what I mean and mean what I say. And though I value your opinions greatly, you must believe that this is a decision that comes completely from the heart and is not motivated by anything other than what feels the best for Iced Earth. This is the way that things have always been dealt with, for better or for worse, but always honestly and from the heart.
Tim Owens is a great and talented singer and I wish the best for him and his future on a personal and professional level.
There will be more news soon as to further developments and plans. This will push back the release of Part 2 a bit. Not because we couldn’t be ready to record in time, but because of a new addition to Matt’s family in early 2008!
I am very happy to announce that Iced Earth is truly BACK!
Have a great holiday season. We’ll be in touch very soon with more details.
Jon Schaffer