As expected, I busted a string this weekend. I usually change strings before a gig, but since we only played one night last weekend (and for just three hours instead of the usual four), I figured I could get away with keeping the old ones on a bit longer. Sure enough, midway through the second set Saturday night: SNAP! There went the D string, during the solo for "R.O.C.K. in the USA."

It’s always a little weird when a string breaks, because you might have to rearrange some chords on the fly (not to mention get the stupid string out of the way), but it’s particularly irksome when it’s one of the lower strings. I break the B and high E all the time because they’re extremely thin and I tend to play with a heavy hand. But the lower strings, which are much thicker, generally stay intact no matter what I do to them. Anyway, it was a good excuse to play my old guitar, which mostly just sits on stage and looks pretty while I abuse the newer one.

But enough about me, how about the Padres? Well, maybe not so much what they’re doing right now, but how about the future?

Tim Stauffer

In case you missed it, he signed. Here’s more:

• Padres agree to terms with Stauffer (Padres.com)
• Stauffer’s self-reported bum shoulder saves Padres a bundle (U-T). Stauffer’s injury means that his signing bonus is less than $1M. Kyle Sleeth, taken one pick ahead of Stauffer in the June draft, commanded a bonus of $3.35M from the Tigers. Shoulder injuries are always a bit scary, but the Padres do not expect the right-hander out of Richmond to require surgery and say they are confident that he’ll be on track to begin his pro career in 2004. Currently Stauffer is rehabbing at Lake Elsinore and he may get some work in the instructional league as well.
• Stauffer starts rehab with Storm (NC Times)

Khalil Greene

• Due in September: shortstop Greene (U-T). As Khalil Greene continues to pound Triple-A pitching, it’s looking like the Greene era at short will begin this year rather than next. After a short slump, Greene has come on strong of late, hitting for power and even drawing some walks. Greene, hitting .307/.364/.486 through August 16, also has committed just 7 errors in 61 games and is earning solid marks from observers for his play in the field. With Mark Loretta returning next season, the plan is for Greene to bat eighth in the lineup and current shortstop Ramon Vazquez to assume a utility role and serve as insurance should something happen to either Loretta or Greene (or Sean Burroughs, for that matter). The expectation here is that Greene will struggle at the plate as a rookie but finish strong if given the chance to play through the tough times.

Rusty Tucker

• Farm Report: Injury claims one Padres lefty, but another steps up (NC Times). Fireballing southpaw Rusty Tucker had Tommy John surgery. Fellow southpaw Jose Nunez is pitching well in the minors after missing more than a full season, although there are concerns that his shoulder troubles could return. And a third left-hander, Kevin Walker, is coming on strong and expected to pitch in San Diego when rosters expand in September. Also, in an interesting revelation, it’s been reported that phenom Josh Barfield (hitting .342/.391/.527 at Elsinore through August 16) has been bothered by a bad wrist all season that will require surgery this winter.

General Stupidity

Folks are always sending me links to weird stuff, and I figure the least I can do is pass them along to you. Sometimes I even find ‘em myself. Enjoy!

• ‘The idea is to unravel the onion’ (Guardian). An interview with Yes frontman Jon Anderson that is about as perplexing as you’d expect it to be.
• Fart Proudly (history-us.com). This is actually a collection of Benjamin Franklin’s satire. I haven’t read the book, but here are a few reader reviews. Sounds promising.
• 100 Songs, or How I Wasted A Sunny Day In Seattle (clientandserver.com). I was actually looking for a textual analysis of Crowded House’s Don’t Dream It’s Over (if you’ve only heard that woman with the paper-thin voice sing it, you really should check out the original; it’s quite good) in the hope that it might help me deliver the lines with more conviction. What I found is someone’s list of top 100 songs of the past 25 years. They Might Be Giants’ "Ana Ng" checks in at #32; Earth Wind and Fire’s "September" is #85. Interesting list.

Never did find an analysis of the Crowded House song, though my wife tells me it’s about two people overcoming life’s obstacles together or some such. Another interesting (to me) thing about the song is that I’ve seen the final word of the final verse variously represented as "relief" or "release" depending on the source. I sing the latter, because it seems more in line with the letting go suggested by the "liberation" that immediately precedes it.

Anywho, I’m about to overstay my welcome, so I’ll let y’all get on with life for now. More later…