crazy like the wolf

Ok, did y'all read about that woman that let her 5 year old drive her car? She said she had taken Percocet and drank some grey goose.. THEN she said that she didn't take the pills for pain management but when her kids get wild so she cam calmly take care of them..
DO WHAT????? i am just amazed everyday by people in this world and they are able to procreate as much as they want.. INSANE!!
THEN she was quoted as telling the neighbor that thankfully called 911, that "he's a good driver". But the kid admitted he had a tough time because he couldn't reach the pedals. Of course not HE"S FIVE!!!!
but this gives me a great idea.. next time i go home to visit, i am going to see how my youngest niece does behind the wheel. I bet she would be great!!! Now the whole family has a designated driver..
sweet!!! Ladies and Gentleman, start you engines...

nothing to do, no where to go....

I want to be sedated...
now, that is a classic song, and a perfect description of my day today...
We are sitting at home, watching a ton of television that was have saved over the last month of being gone. We have to catch up on Big Brother after dark, (comes on showtime, jeff got it while i was back home visiting). Also top chef (we call it top chief) and a ton on movies we saved since getting showtime..
So, it is off to the sofa for me. I have cleaned the kitchen and walked to rite-aid to get some toilet paper and paper towels and some razors that had on sale all before 10am.. (i know very exciting) but that is what i am going for this weekend, nothing and i mean NOTHING exciting!!!
LOVE IT!!

Gotta give me credit...

so, i am soooo excited.
I ran into a friend of mine here at work and she asked me if i worked on the show World Report on our network. I told her that i did and she said, i thought that was your name on the credits.
SO, it is official. My name is on television. I may not be, but at least my name is...
This is a very exciting day for me.

Are you ready for the summer....

that was in homage to the movie meatballs that i watched last Friday instead of freaking out and getting my Friday Panic tickets that i needed so desperately. They went on sale at 10AM and i was on the couch relaxing for our trip to California later that afternoon (story is in previous blogs) so then about 10AM i thought maybe i should go check my emails and see what is happening in the world of famous people in the gossip websites i visit. And then it hit me that i needed to get tickets. I am glad it hit me then, because i was able to sign on to a local radio station's website and buy their super secret super stash of tickets. So we are set for that show in October.
For now, i am back at work and trying to find the grind. I have been in the groove for about a month now and sometimes it is hard to shake the groovy ways and get back to the grind. Know what i mean? But i love my job, so i am sure it wont take me long.
Well thats about it for now. I am going to heat up some lunch and keep watching some tapes.
Not a bad day... hope snack is good.
Oh, so i was out at the garden yesterday, which, by the way isn't doing too good. We have a bunch of tomatoes, but not nearly the amount we had last year, and same for the zucchini and squash. I hope i didn't just jinx myself, but we are not having the harvests each night that we experienced last summer. We have about 4 small watermelon, they are the size of golf balls right now... guess we should have planted them early in the spring, but we get a long winder, so we planted them as soon as we could. Note to self, not a good Colorado crop. And the eggplant yeilded so far only one eggplant, but it is pretty. Our beans dies, the peas are done and we planted more that are starting to sprout. The carrots went crazy but are just little stumpy things, so we are letting them go longer. The cucumbers are great and i am eating them as fast as we are bringing them in. which isnt as fast as i would like, but they are coming. Green peppers and hot peppers are actually doing great.
Ok, now that's it...
off the get lunch :)

Monday Snack Time

individual pudding cups
i had vanilla...

F*ck you I wont do what you tell me...

ok sorry mom. i know that can be offensive to people and I guess make sure your kids don't want to see what I am saying.
But i did just get back from seeing Rage Against the Machine, so who can blame me.
We flew out Friday afternoon after spending an easy morning relaxing and getting more tickets to concerts. But this one is a given... it isn't a choice about these. Widespread Panic is coming back. And if you have been reading my posts then you will know how much i love Panic and so i will not miss their shows. The shows are in October, so plenty of time to talk about those..
Anyway, we got our tickets on line friday and then i finished watching Meatballs. Great film..
So, we got to the airport and no problem until we were in the plane and waiting to leave and the pilot says, oh we have just been told that all west bound planes have been grounded out of Denver for weather coming over the divide. Great. We sat there for about 40 minutes before they decided to take us up though Wyoming and then down Interstate 80. which was strange to us because when we went to Cali the last time we drive I80 and now we were flying over the same route. It was a beautiful day once we got outside of Colorado. We landed about an hour late, so our poor friend with a hurt knee was circling the airport for about that long waiting to hear from us. But we landed, got some grub, got a beer, went to our room and crashed out.
The next morning, we got our shit together, and headed to the show. I was astounded when i saw the line to get in was wrapped around the entire AT&T park and was still going. There was a small coffee shop that would sell beers to go, so Jeff picked a place in line and started to blend in and i got us a few beers and we drank them as we moved towards the gate. Josh hobbling the whole way.
Now thanks to Josh for busting his knee at Red Rocks because that meant we could sit in the handicapped platform that was elevated. So we had chairs and a great view while 47,000 other people jammed together to see these bands. It was the best.. if that wasn't the case, this crowd would have gotten to me instantly and it would have been a huge problem holding space for yourself etc. The only bad thing was there was no beer sales outside the beer garden and even then they had only really shitty beer, so it was a sober day.
We got to see Mos Def, Nas, Cypris Hill, Wu Tang Clan and the RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE.
I got a sweatshirt, (that i am wearing right now). It was a great show.. Hip hops shows are a lot different than then jam band fan base, but it was a lot of fun...
Then sunday we took a ride on the Muni to get to my favorite place in San Francisco. It is a tiny store called the Sword and the Rose. It is tucked back in a very small court yard and is a very magical place. The only place in the world that i will get my Terot Cards read, which i did. and got some new oils (my sandlewood spilled during one flight, so i needed to reup on that, and i got some great inscence that went with my reading.
I have a strong belief that i don't like to share my pearls with everyone, but i will tell you that it is all great stuff, and no, and i mean absolutely no obstacles in my path right now. Which is totally different than the last time i was in the store and had my cards read. but that was six years ago, so i guess i worked though all the stuff I needed to. I am on a good path in a good time with myself.. All is safe and warm in my life.. great news and just what i needed to hear to give me that little bit of encouragement to start going after other things that i need to attract to me. And one being some health and well being. SO i am starting to think of joining the gym again. I love swimming and it is really good for me, and i am not as self conscience as i was this time last year, when i joined before. And i would like to get is tip top shape for me and my well being.. That is important. So, as i said, i am just starting to think about it. I will let you know how the process goes.
SO, then we flew home. I have to say that i am a fan of Frontier Airlines.. They have great rates, Direct TV (i watched hippos on Animal Planet and MASH on Nick at night) and the seats are actually comfortable with the movable head rests that can fold to kind of hug your head. i like that. So, i am going to keep that in mind next time i fly. And to be honest, it looks like it will be in October, when we go back to Vegas to see another Rage Against the Machine show at Vegoose.
www.vegoose.com
Pictures will come, i have to get them off the camera first.
All for now....

Thursday Snack

Chocolate brownies with chocolate chips.. very yummy..

Always look on the bright side of life...

So, first notice that i added some photos to my last few blogs about Hornings and Red Rocks..

And i will respond to my dear sister that commented that i seem to complain about all the shows i go to and the money i spend. And as she stated " I'm just saying"...
So, she's right. I do complain a lot when the summer is winding down and I feel as if i have been burning the candle at both ends lately. Well since we were in California last. I am just tired, that's all. so i guess it is making me grumpy.
I know that all of these decisions are for pleasure and nothing is a "have to do situation. If it were i wouldn't do it. That's my moto... And i do love live music for sure. I will start to look on the brighter side of things as i am packing my my backpack for another night at Red Rocks this evening. We are seeing the Beasty Boys. Great introduction to a hip hop filled weekend..
So, I came across this little ditty to explain what the concept of Rock the Bells is..
Rock The Bells will feature a massive indoor/outdoor festival complete with traditional vendor booths, multimedia experiences, and historic surprise performances. The evolution of urban street culture has forged its own unique movement in this world. Finally, there’s an event that identifies and gives voice to the people and ideas that are continuing to shape it. If anyone is looking for a window into the future of this culture, Rock The Bells is as good as it gets.
Sounds like a blaast to me.. and to see Rage Against the Machine... yup, I'm there...

Snack Time Wednesday

Animal crackers in my soup, lions and tigers loop-de-loop...

So, today is, you guessed it, ANIMAL CRACKERS!!! Yippie!! i love animal crackers and the whole time you are eating them you have to sing the song.. I think it is a National Law.

Day late, but snack time update

OK, Monday was not so great, ice cream snickers. people here flip for them, but i don't really care for them.
yesterday, though, was a favorite... Chocolate turtles in a package. you get three turtles and they are the best. just like my friend Susie's mom used to make around Christmas time.

Big Whooly mamoth going to wear that coat, in the middle of the summer time...

does it ever end??? i mean really.... my god. Maybe if i had a different addiction it would be better, maybe it would be worse, but either way i spend WAY TOO much $$$$ on music...
So, this past weekend was the end of the String Cheese Incident. That was ok with me in that (1) i know they will be back. and (2) i needed my bank account to replenish itself. Kind of like a star fish, if you leave it alone, the broken off arm will grow back. BUT if you keep fucking with it, it will stay short and broken. Well, the jam band community keeps fucking with me and my account is staying short.
Widespread Panic is coming back to Colorado. See, usually they do a big "end of summer blow out" in colorado, but i guess this year, they are keeping it just to fall tour. We get two nights in the most unwelcoming, unfriendly, unattractive place in the whole state. The Budweiser Events Center in Loveland. The kicker is that it is neither on the ski hill of Loveland, that is beautiful, but it is no where really close to Denver either. It is about 40 minutes away.
There is some talk amongst us addicted, that we should get a 'party bus' to take us to and from the show. But i think it might be too expensive for a ride to the show. I think i might just drive myself and meet up with my friends..
Well, i best stop blathering on, i have to go buy some tickets...
UGH!!!

It's all over but the crying

So, there you have it. The String Cheese Incident has played their last show of 2007 and as the key board player says "we have no plans". I read an article that friend sent me this morning about the band's break up. He stated that the band stated, a few months ago, that after August 12th, 2007, they have no plans. The media and fans took that to mean that they were breaking up. Adfter many many months of speculation before the announcement, we knew it was happening. The acoustic guitar player, Billy Nershi, wanted to pursue other endevors, namely playing in a crap ass band with his wife. Some like to liken her to Yoko, but i don't feel that way. I think that she was just a great escape from the entity that is String Cheese Incident. AND in a recent interview published in Relix magazine, he wants to write more music. Apparently having a band of 5 other musically talented people that want to contribute to the whole of the process was too much for poor Mr. Nershi. Well lets see how those coffeehouse gigs treat you after selling out Red Rocks (cap. 9,000) for the last four nights. Something tells me that his ego will not be able to stay away from the thousands of adoring fans, even if we are adoring other members of the band.
They will be back. But it has consumed a good length of time in my recent history, as well as a significant pportion of my income to tickets, CDs, clothes etc. That will be nice to have back.
And the friends. Nothing can hold a candle to the quality of person you see on tour and become close to. We take care of each other. The Community associated with cheese will be missed. There is something else out there for us, we just dont know what it is yet.
Time will tell... until then we then, we have memories, taken thousands of pictures and shared more smiles that i know...
Thanks for everything String Cheese, I cant wait to see you again.
(picture was taken during the 3rd night at Red Rocks, It was the start of first set. They would continue to have stilt walkers, fire hula hoopers, though out the night. Also there were large butterflies on fishing poles though out the audience. The quilt hanging on the keyboards was given to the band that evening by a local Native American Tribe. An independent non-profit called conscience Alliance, have been collecting canned goods at concerts for years starting with the String Cheese Incident. You can take 10 canned goods and turn it in for a free poster at designed for that concert by great artists. -or pay $10.00. This all went to help this tribe, so they made a quilt and presented it to the band. Jeff has some great photos of all the band members standing next to each other with the quilt wrapped around them all. Very special moment.

Ssack Time for tuesday

Since you have probably missed my snack time updates, here you go...

Cinnamon Apple Sauce!!!

Got to get to the bottom to climb to the top again....

OK, wow... that was a long break.. sorry.
So, i was gone from the 19th of July to the 30th on my California/Oregon trip. We left and rode to Rawlings and got the most expensive Nastiest hotel room that you could ever imagine.. and we stayed... we were so tired it was all we could do to climb into the nasty bed and doze off. We awoke and quickly showered and got back in the car to make it to California. Which we did... We landed about midnight and were really tired when we got to out friends house in San Francisco. They live very close to the Golden Gate bridge so, it was nice to see the landmark when crossing into the city. I love SF. It is a great town, but i dont think i could do the weather. The next morning we woke up and had to get to the Greek Theater in Berkeley for the Cheese show (the whole reason for this trip). It looked rainy, nasty and really foggy. It made it really hard to become motivated for anything, much less getting up and starting to party.
By the time we got close to the Bay Bridge, the sky was nice and we saw sunshine over in Oaskland. It was going to be a great day.
And it was. The show was great. It was my first time at that venue, and man, that place is HOT.. and i am completely talking about the temperature. MAN!! but we found some friends in line and they pointed us to the space we were all going to be in. center on the floor, but not on the rail as normal. The stage in that place is so high that if you are on the rail, you cant see the band without straining your neck, so we went for sight line.
After the show, jeff and i went back to our friends place before they got back and tried to walk to the water. Well we got down one hill and decided that it was too hard to get back up the one we came down, that we were just going to forgo the others and start climbing back to where we were staying. Not too long after everyone else got home.
The next day we went out to the Greek again, but this time the show was completely in the day time., which meant EVEN HOTTER.
we got stuck in the sun all day and ended up with some good burns on our faces and shoulders. But to be honest, when the band was playing I couldn't help but dance, no matter how hot it was, i didnt notice while the band was playing good.
We stayed that night at our friends and then headed up the coast. That was wonderful. But before leaving town we stopped by the look out points to the GG and took some pictures... the towers were in the clouds, but it makes for better/artsy photos.
We stopped and camped in the red woods and went hiking around all the big trees.. and if you have never been to that part of California, THEY ARE BIG!!!
very fun. We camped a few more times before arriving in Portland. The next three shows were held in a private land area about 30 miles west of portland, so the night before the festival started, we got a hotel room in Portland and charged up all the batteries, including ours by sleeping in a bed and taking showers. The next day we did some shopping at Trader Joe's and ate lunch at Bridgport Brewing. I love their IPA. and the beer for lunch set the right tone to get to the festival grounds.
WE didn't have much waiting and we were heading though the gates to this magical land that is Hornings Hunting and Fishing Hideout. They have peacocks.. i swear, i even took some pictures of those and they had an albino one..
Three days and nights of String Cheese Incident. I didn't bother with any of the opening acts. I wasn't there to see opening acts. So we just saw the cheese and had a BLAST!! I am so pleased that i finally made it to this event, but it makes me very sad that this was the last time. As i am sure i have stated before, the band is calling it quits (maybe) after this summer tour.. I say maybe because all the friction seems to come from the acoustic guitar player, Billy Nershi. Seems that when the band starting getting better and all members starting contributing to the song writing and lyrics, that rubbed little Billy the wrong way and he got his poor feelings hurt. WHAAAAAA... anyway the rest of the band still wants to play, so maybe, after about a year or so, they will get back with out the whiner of the group and have themselves one hell of a strong band.. we will see.. But in the mean time, i will be attending the last four shows here at Red Rocks this coming weekend. Our friend from CT, who was also at Hornings, is flying in tomorrow night and the shows start on Thursday. It is going to be one of those weekends where it feels slow going though it but will fly by in the end. I am suspect there will be some tears shed for sure. which reminds me to put Kleenex in my backpack..
SO, more tales as the week goes on. but that's my story and i am sticking to it.